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Nine-Hour Movement
The Toronto Typographical Union takes up the cause of the "Nine-Hour Movement" and goes out on strike March 25, 1872, when its demands for a shorter work week are ignored. -
Royal Commission on the Relations of Labour and Capital
The federal government establishes the Royal Commission on the Relations of Labour and Capital. In its report, the commission notes that many workers were being hurt on the job. It condemns oppressive working conditions in many industries. The commission makes a string of recommendations to improve working conditions - but the federal government does not act on them, saying to do so would infringe on provincial authority. -
Federal Department of Labour established
The Conciliation Act of 1900 establishes voluntary conciliation of a labour dispute and results in the creation of the Labour Department. The office is meant to assist in the prevention and settlement of trade disputes. -
Workmen's Compensation Act
Ontario becomes the first province in Canada to introduce a state social insurance plan with the Workmen's Compensation Act. -
The Winnipeg General Strike
High unemployment rates and inflation contribute to growing unrest amongst members of the labour movement. In May 1919, after talks break down between workers in the building and metal trades and their employers, the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council call for a general strike. -
Wartime labour relations regulations, Order-in-Council P.C. 1003
Labour relations fall under provincial jurisdiction, but during the Second World War the federal government, exercising its emergency wartime powers, establishes a national system of labour-relations law. From the privy council order comes the introduction of a labour relations board, but P.C. 1003 also establishes provisions on the certification of unions, the legal obligation for both parties to enter into good-faith collective bargaining, and prohibitions on unfair labour practices. -
Federal Public Service Staff Relations Act
In 1965, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers defies government policies and stages an illegal, country-wide strike. At issue is the right to bargain collectively, the right to strike, higher wages and better management. -
Common Front, Quebec
After years of unrest between the labour movement and the Quebec provincial government, three public service unions unite in 1972 in the Common Front to negotiate with the government for higher wages and better working conditions. -
Occupational Health Act, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan passes the Occupational Health Act, considered the first legislation of its kind in North America. The act makes health and safety the joint responsibility of management and workers and sets the framework for future legislation, enshrining three important rights for workers. -
Day of Protest
A year after the federal government introduces wage and price control legislation, the Canadian Labour Congress sponsors a national Day of Protest to mark the anniversary. Over a million workers are estimated to have participated in demonstrations across the country. -
Supreme Court of Canada's ruling on Bill 29
The Supreme Court of Canada rules that the British Columbia government violated Charter rights when it introduced legislation that would unfairly affect its unionized health-care and social services employees.
