Bill 96: Anti-Scab Labour Act, 2026

This bill affects any Ontario employer whose workforce is unionized under the Labour Relations Act. Industries commonly impacted include manufacturing, construction, transportation, hospitality, healthcare support services, and any sector with collective bargaining agreements. During a lawful strike or lockout, employers would be prohibited from hiring new workers, transferring employees from other locations, or using contractors to perform the work of striking or locked-out employees — fundamentally changing how businesses manage operations during labour disputes. Size matters significantly: larger employers with multiple locations are particularly affected because they cannot reassign staff from other sites, while smaller unionized shops lose the ability to bring in any outside help. The bill also requires employers to reinstate striking or locked-out workers to their positions after the dispute ends, based on seniority, and mandates that employment benefits continue if the union tenders payment.