Know your rights
Employment rights in
Canada (federally regulated workplaces).
Employment law in Canada is mostly provincial. A minority of workers are in federally regulated workplaces, such as banks, airlines, rail, telecoms, broadcasting, interprovincial trucking and the federal public service. Those workers are covered by the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canada Labour Code.
General information, not legal advice. Rules and deadlines vary by jurisdiction and situation, and can change. Check with the agency or a lawyer before relying on a deadline. Last reviewed October 14, 2026.
Most workers are covered by provincial law
If your employer is not federally regulated, your province’s human rights and employment standards laws apply instead. British Columbia is covered in detail; other provinces will follow.
Employment rights in British ColumbiaWho is covered
- The Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on sex, among other grounds, in federally regulated employment.
- The Canada Labour Code lets eligible employees challenge an unjust dismissal: non-unionized, non-managerial employees with at least 12 consecutive months with the same employer.
Deadlines
Missing a deadline can end a claim. These are the general limits; exceptions are narrow.
| Route | Time limit | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Discrimination complaint (Canadian Human Rights Commission) | 1 year | From the incident, or the last act of discrimination. Late complaints are accepted only in limited circumstances. Source: Canadian Human Rights Commission: file a complaint (opens in a new tab) |
| Unjust dismissal complaint (Labour Program) | 90 days | From the date of dismissal. For constructive dismissal, from when the employer changed the terms of employment. Source: Canada.ca: eligibility and timelines (opens in a new tab) |
Where to go
What to do now
- 1Check whether you are federally regulatedIt depends on your employer's industry, not your job title. If unsure, ask the Labour Program.
- 2Write down what happened and keep your recordsDates, people, documents and messages you are entitled to keep.
- 3Note the 90-day limitThe unjust dismissal deadline is much shorter than most others.
- 4Get advice and file in timeA lawyer or legal clinic can confirm the right route.
Get your records in order
A private checklist and timeline that stays on your device. Bring it to the agency or a lawyer.