Share your thoughts on the new realities of working Canadians: The right to disconnect and gig work
Consultation has concluded
About this consultation
We want to better understand how current federal labour protections could be updated to reflect today’s workplace realities. We want to hear from both workers and employers on the everyday realities of gig workers, including those working on digital platforms. This includes all workers who enter into short-term contracts to complete specific and often one-off tasks, not just those who work through digital platforms like delivery or freelance applications.
We also want to understand how best to provide federally regulated workers with a “right to disconnect.” This would ensure workers have a positive work-life balance by establishing clear expectations about the use of workplace communications devices, like cellphones, after the workday is done.
We want to hear from you!
Participate in the discussion forum and share your personal story. We also invite you to submit your ideas by email, using the following email address:
ESDC.NC.LABOUR.CONSULTATIONS-TRAVAIL.NC.EDSC@labour-travail.gc.ca
The consultation will be open until April 30, 2021.
Minister's Message
Modern digital communications are changing the way we work, and the pace of these changes is increasing as they become more powerful and permit us to achieve more in our work each day.
The Government of Canada knows that as the way we work changes, labour protections must also change. While we have already taken significant steps toward modernizing the Canada Labour Code, there is more work to be done.
This is why, to help ensure a new generation of Canadians is able to find good jobs, we want to better understand the experiences of gig workers in federally regulated sectors, including those working on digital platforms. To help address knowledge gaps and solicit views from stakeholders, such as employers and unions, formal consultations are expected to begin in the coming months.
Another part of our work will be to co-develop a policy with federally regulated employers and labour organizations that gives federally regulated workers the “right to disconnect,” to support their work-life balance and well-being. To provide recommendations on how we could move forward with this issue, the Right to Disconnect Advisory Committee was established. It is made up of representatives from federally regulated employers, unions and other organizations. The committee is currently holding a series of meetings, which began in October 2020.
As we continue to explore these emerging issues, I invite all Canadians to participate in the discussion and to share their input and stories on these two important topics. These issues may affect you, someone you know or a business you rely on. I’d like to hear your perspectives on the right to disconnect and on labour protections for gig workers.
Your participation will help in developing policies that ensure our federal labour protections continue to serve Canadians across the country.
Summary reports combining all engagement and consultation work are expected to be available later this year.
Minister of Labour, Filomena Tassi
