Changes to labour relations laws in British Columbia and Manitoba

At a glance

• Manitoba is to prohibit use of replacement workers during strike action.
• It will also change the rules on automatic union certification.
• In British Colombia changes will make it more common for workers to refuse to cross picket lines. 

The Manitoba Government has announced its intention to introduce legislation that would prohibit the use of replacement workers during a legal strike or lockout. In addition, the Manitoba Government intends to amend The Labour Relations Act to provide for automatic certification of a bargaining unit if a union files signed membership cards with the Manitoba Labour Board that results in a majority of employees in the workplace (50% plus one) supporting the union.

Meanwhile, amendments to British Columbia’s Labour Relations Code (LRC) increase risks for businesses during federal work stoppages. The Miscellaneous Amendment Act 2024 received Royal Assent on 25 April 2024, amending the definition of ‘strike’ and ‘person’ under the LRC. These changes allow provincially regulated workers in British Columbia to refuse to cross picket lines of federally-regulated workers or workers regulated under another province, without it being considered an illegal strike.