Which rules apply to you
Canada has two employment standards systems. Most workers are covered by the employment standards of the province or territory they work in. A smaller group works in federally regulated industries such as banking, telecommunications, interprovincial transport and some operations on reserve, and is covered by the Canada Labour Code instead. The two differ on notice, overtime, holidays and leave, so it is worth knowing which applies to your job.
Discrimination is prohibited
Human rights legislation federally and in every province and territory prohibits discrimination in employment on grounds that include race, ancestry, ethnic origin and, in most jurisdictions, Indigenous identity. That protection covers hiring, pay, promotion, discipline and dismissal, and it covers harassment at work. Complaints go to the human rights commission or tribunal for your jurisdiction, and there are time limits, so do not sit on a concern indefinitely.
The Employment Equity Act
Federally regulated employers of a certain size have obligations under the Employment Equity Act toward designated groups, which include Indigenous peoples. In practice this means those employers are expected to identify barriers in their own hiring and report on representation. It does not apply to every employer, so check before assuming it covers a particular workplace.
Things employers frequently get wrong
Unpaid training time, unpaid trial shifts, deductions for tools or uniforms that are not permitted, missing overtime, and treating someone as an independent contractor when the work is really employment. If any of these sound familiar, your provincial employment standards office can tell you where you stand, usually for free.
Keep your own records
Write down your hours, keep pay stubs, and save messages about shifts and pay. If a dispute happens later, your own contemporaneous record is often the most useful evidence available.
Where to get help
Your provincial or territorial employment standards office handles pay and hours complaints. Human rights commissions handle discrimination and harassment. Many Friendship Centres and Indigenous employment services can help you navigate both, and community legal clinics offer free advice in most provinces.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ by jurisdiction and change over time, so confirm anything that matters to your situation with the relevant office.