Tipping the Balance: Bill 32, The Charter and the Americanization of Alberta’s Labour Relations System

In the summer of 2020 the Alberta government introduced Bill 32: Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act (2020). This 82-page omnibus bill proposed sweeping changes to a handful of employment-related and labour related legislation. Some of the most significant amendments were to Alberta Labour Relations Code, the law that regulates union-employer relations in the province. Almost a year after its introduction, many aspects of Bill 32 continue to be poorly understood for a number of reasons. This report examines Bill 32 with a focus on its broader implications for the rights of Albertans, the health of democratic debate in the province and potential economic consequences. Specifically, the report makes two arguments. First it argues Bill 32 undermines key charter of Rights and Freedoms protections not just for union members but potentially for a wide range of Albertans. Second, the report argues Bill 32 represents an Americanization of labour relations in the province, with significant negative consequences for inequality, economic growth and democratic participation.