The Canadian Employment Standards is the Canada employment law that deals with the minimum employment standards within the private sector in Canada. These employment laws outline the federal, and individual provincial employment standards, as well as the territorial legislative provisions.

The Constitution Act, 1867, Sections 91 and 92, gave the provincial legislatures major jurisdiction over the following areas:

• the minimum age for employment,
• hours of work and overtime pay,
• minimum wages,
• equal pay,
• the weekly rest-day,
• general holidays with pay,
• annual vacations with pay,
• parental leave, and
• individual and group terminations of employment.

These Canadian Employment Standards, (Canada Employment Standards), varies for federal jurisdiction and the individual provinces.

Below are the provincial Employment Standards Act provisions for federal jurisdiction and for each of the provincial jurisdictions.

The information shared below is for informational purposes only. Should you intend applying any of these employment standards provisions, you should refer to the individual province's employment standards statutes. Also, for the interpretation of how these laws would apply to your organization, it is advisable to contact an employment lawyer or a labour relations consultant.

Federal and Provincial Employment Standards

Federal Employment Standards

• Federal Employment Standards

British Columbia Employment Standards

• British Columbia Employment Standards Act
• A Guide to British Columbia Employment Standards Act
• BC Employment Standards: Frequently Asked Questions
• Designated Statutory Authority: Director Employment Standards

Alberta Employment Standards

• Alberta Employment Standards Code
• Alberta Employment Standards Regulations
• A Guide to the Alberta Employment Standards Code
• Designated Statutory Authority: Employment Standards Branch of the Department of Labour of Alberta

Saskatchewan Employment Standards

• Saskatchewan Employment Standards Act
• A Guide to the Saskatchewan Employment Standards Act
• Designated Statutory Authority: Director of Labour Standards Branch

Manitoba Employment Standards

• Manitoba Employment Standards Act
• A Guide to the Manitoba Employment Standards Act
• Designated Statutory Authority: Director, Employment Standards

Ontario Employment Standards

• Ontario Employment Standards Act
• Designated Statutory Authority: Director of Employment Standards

Québec Employment Standards

• Québec Employment Standards Act
• Designated Statutory Authority: Director of Employment Standards

Newfoundland Employment Standards

• Newfoundland and Labrador Employment Standards Act
• A Guide to the Newfoundland Employment Standards Act
• Designated Statutory Authority: Director of Labour Standards

New Brunswick Employment Standards

• New Brunswick Employment Standards Act
• Designated Statutory Authority: Director of Employment Standards

Prince Edward Island Employment Standards

• Prince Edward Island Employment Standards Act
• A Guide to the PEI Employment Standards Act
• Designated Statutory Authority: Inspector of Labour Standards

Nova Scotia Employment Standards

• Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code
• A Guide to the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code
• Designated Statutory Authority: Director of Labour Standards

Yukon Territory Employment Standards

• Yukon Territory Employment Standards Act
• Designated Statutory Authority: Director of Employment Standards, Consumer, Corporate and Labour Affairs Branch of the territory

Northwest Territory Employment Standards

• Northwest Territory Employment Standards Act (NEW)
• A Guide to the Northwest Territory Employment Standards Act
• Designated Statutory Authority: Labour Standards Board of the territory

Nunavut Territory Employment Standards

• Nunavut Territory Labour Standards Act
• Department of Justice For specific information, or questions, on the (Employment) Labour Standards Act of Nunavut you can contact the Labour Services Officer in the Department of Justice at:Phone: 867-975-7293, and Fax: 867-975-7294
• Designated Statutory Authority: Director of Court Services, under the Labour Standards Act of Nunavut

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