Hot topics, big shifts: Five key employment law developments from summer 2025

This summer brought major developments that are reshaping the employment law landscape across Canada. From the ever-evolving enforceability of Ontario termination clauses to sweeping legislative reform in Québec and a record-setting notice period in Alberta, employers are facing new challenges—and opportunities.

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About Andy Pushalik

Andy is a partner and the practice group leader of the Employment and Labour group of Dentons’ Toronto office. Andy has a broad labour and employment practice serving as “go to” outside labour and employment counsel to a wide variety of companies, charities and public sector organizations. Clients frequently seek Andy’s advice on sensitive human resources matters including workplace restructurings, discrimination and harassment complaints and workplace investigations. In addition, Andy regularly represents employers in all aspects of labour and employment litigation, including wrongful dismissal matters, grievance arbitrations and restrictive covenant disputes.

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About Eleni Kassaris

Eleni Kassaris is a partner and leader of the Employment and Labour group in Vancouver. Drawing from over her 20 years of experience, Eleni advises employers across a wide range of industries, including technology, mining, property management, oil and gas, construction and life sciences.

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About Catherine Coulter

Catherine Coulter (She/Her/Hers) practices employment and labour law as a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group of Dentons’ Ottawa office. Although she principally represents and advises clients on employment and labour matters, she also acts in the fields of general commercial litigation, insurance litigation and privacy and data management.

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About Arianne Bouchard

Arianne Bouchard is the national co-leader of the Employment and Labour group based in the Montreal office. In her practice, Arianne advises employers of all sizes on matters pertaining to collective and individual labour relations, at both provincial and federal levels.

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Bill C-31: Proposed restriction on non-competition clauses for federally regulated employers

On May 6, 2026, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-31, Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2 (Bill C-31), which proposes amendments to the Canada Labour Code that would prohibit [...]

Working for or against you: Copyright ownership and the “course of employment”

Without explicit provisions in employment agreements, employers risk employees retaining copyright in works they create, even when employees secretly develop a competing product. Employers presumptively own copyright in works made [...]

Legal updates for Canadian employers: Key tribunal and human rights decisions

Canada: On Friday, March 27, 2026, Dentons’ Employment and Labour team hosted a national session focused on recent human rights and tribunal decisions shaping employer obligations across Canada. As workplace [...]