Question Period Note: TRIPARTITE ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Minister of Jobs and Families launched the Tripartite Advisory Council on March 12, 2026. The council has a mandate to serve as a consultative body comprised of employer and employee representatives that provides advice to the Minister and the Secretary of State (Labour), on emerging labour issues.The Tripartite Advisory Council is composed of three members of labour organizations and three members of employer associations in the federal jurisdiction. Members are not remunerated.

Members of the Tripartite Advisory Council include:

Bea Bruske, President, Canadian Labour Congress

Lana Payne, National President, Unifor

Magali Picard, President, Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec

Derrick Hynes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federally Regulated Employers - Transportation and Communications

Goldy Hyder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Canada

Michelle LLambías Meunier, President and Chief Executive Officer, Conseil du patronat du Quebec

The Tripartite Advisory Council is presided by the interim Chair, Rob Wright, Deputy Minister of Labour and Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development.

The voices of workers and employers are essential as we work to build a strong economy and support tomorrow’s workforce.

The council strengthens cooperation and helps make federal labour policy more responsive to emerging issues. It provides a valuable source of stakeholder feedback and a primary forum for dialogue, cooperation and consensus-building, where the Government of Canada will seek stakeholders’ advice on workplace and labour issues of federal, national, or international significance.

Composed of labour and employer representatives, the council works collaboratively to provide advice that reflects their varied expertise and experience.

It is scheduled to meet throughout the year, with its inaugural meeting having taken place on March 12, 2026.

IF PRESSED (What the council means for labour disputes/negotiations)

The Tripartite Advisory Council provides a forum for unions employers, and government to exchange perspectives, identify systemic issues early, and build trust and cooperation across the labour relations system.

While it would not play any role in active disputes or collective bargaining, its ongoing dialogue can help improve mutual understanding and support more stable and constructive labour relations over time.

The Tripartite Advisory Council's mandate is to help make federal labour policy more responsive to emerging issues in the world of work, including by:

studying and exchanging views and experiences on issues in the following areas:

industrial relations

labour standards

occupational health and safety

national and international labour affairs

workplace diversity and equity, and

other workplace and labour-related matters

providing independent advice on questions submitted for examination.

Advisory Council members seek to work collaboratively in providing advice to the Minister and the Secretary of State (Labour)that reflects their varied expertise and experience. Members seek to find common ground where possible and maintain respect for other members and their point of view.

Members, aside from the Deputy Minister of Labour and Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development, are selected by the Minister and/or the Secretary of State (Labour) based on recommendations received from representative labour organizations and employer associations.

“The world of work is changing and bringing new challenges, and workers and businesses are part of the solution. This new advisory council is providing a forum for ongoing dialogue with labour and industry partners, to protect the workforce and empower businesses to thrive. Together, we are building stronger partnerships and supporting our industries, here at home.”

– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

“Leadership means bringing people together to find solutions that work for everyone. I look forward to seeing this new council take shape, and I thank in advance all members for their commitment to working together—labour, business and government—for the benefit of all Canadians.”

– The Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour)