B.C. has 'no plans' to give you the right to refuse email, calls after work
B.C.’s Ministry of Labour is well aware of Ontario’s so-called “right to disconnect” law, but at the moment is only watching the legislation with great interest.
As of June 2, businesses in Ontario with more than 25 employees must establish off-work policies and allow workers to switch-off email, text messages and phone ringers.
When CTV News asked whether the B.C. government would implement similar legislation, the ministry replied in a statement that “there are no plans at this time.”
Critics have argued Ontario’s legislation - the first of its kind in Canada - has many loopholes, is too vague, and allows bosses to set their own disconnect hours.
It was first proposed in 2021 in response to employee burnout, especially during the pandemic.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE @ 10:30 a.m. EST
LIVE @ 10:30 a.m. EST Bank of Canada drops key interest rate
The Bank of Canada has dropped its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 3.25 per cent.
Poilievre's Conservatives still in majority territory: Nanos seat projections
The Liberals' promise of a temporary GST break and $250 rebate cheques haven't benefited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his minority government when it comes to public support, according to Nanos Research data.
Investigators search for motive in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO as suspect's attorney denies client's involvement
Investigators are searching for a motive in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as murder suspect Luigi Mangione fights his extradition to New York from Pennsylvania, where police detained him at a McDonald's on Monday.
Tensions rising between Canada Post, union as strike nears four-week mark
Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are in a war of words as a countrywide strike enters its 27th day.
New Vancouver mom temporarily discharged from hospital to see Taylor Swift concert
A Vancouver woman didn’t let an emergency C-section keep her from Saturday’s Taylor Swift concert.
'He lost his spirit': Family wants answers after Indigenous man's braids cut at Edmonton hospital
The Saskatchewan family of an Indigenous man whose braids were cut off during a stay at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, without permission, is searching for answers.
'Baseball-sized hail': Toronto man owes car rental company $18K after hailstorm
A Toronto man is on the hook for about $18,000 after a car he rented over the summer was pelted by baseball-sized hail.
What financial experts wish you knew about divorce
Divorce is a major financial reset, yet also one of the worst times to make a lot of important decisions, according to financial experts.
Trudeau highlights Kamala Harris presidential defeat as an attack on women's progress
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says women's rights and women's progress is under attack, pointing to the recent defeat of U.S. presidential candidate Kamala Harris as an example.
Vancouver Island
-
Imposter nurse who pleaded guilty apologizes at B.C. sentencing hearing
A woman who passed herself off as a nurse and fraudulently treated almost 1,000 patients in health-care settings in Metro Vancouver and southern Vancouver Island delivered a tearful apology on the final day of her sentencing hearing at B.C. Supreme Court.
-
Suspects sought in syringe attack on city worker in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties are investigating after a 58-year-old man was reportedly stabbed with syringes on Tuesday morning at a park in Nanaimo, B.C.
-
New Vancouver mom temporarily discharged from hospital to see Taylor Swift concert
A Vancouver woman didn’t let an emergency C-section keep her from Saturday’s Taylor Swift concert.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
Edmonton
-
Draisaitl doesn't mind if his ugly goal helps Oilers beat Lightning 2-1
It wasn’t how Leon Draisaitl envisioned getting his league-leading 20th goal of the season, but he’s perfectly fine with it.
-
Alberta family doctor suspended for unprofessional conduct
An Alberta family doctor and veterinarian has been suspended for unprofessional conduct.
-
'He lost his spirit': Family wants answers after Indigenous man's braids cut at Edmonton hospital
The Saskatchewan family of an Indigenous man whose braids were cut off during a stay at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, without permission, is searching for answers.
Calgary
-
Why did Calgary's feeder main break? A new report shares the answer
The final report on the Bearspaw feeder main break is scheduled to be presented to a city committee on Wednesday, along with a price tag on the repairs, which is in the neighbourhood of $35 to $45 million.
-
Woman on life support after assault on N.E. Calgary pathway; police seek suspect
The search is on for a suspect in a vicious assault in Calgary's northeast that has left a woman on life support.
-
Tensions rising between Canada Post, union as strike nears four-week mark
Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are in a war of words as a countrywide strike enters its 27th day.
Lethbridge
-
Advance voting begins for Lethbridge-West byelection
Plenty of voters were at the University Drive Alliance Church in Lethbridge on Tuesday to take advantage of advance voting for the Lethbridge-West byelection.
-
Charges laid after drugs, weapons seized from multiple southern Alberta homes
Four people are facing charges after drugs and weapons were seized from multiple southern Alberta homes as part of a trafficking investigation late last month.
-
Lethbridge Hurricanes drop off donations at Chinook Regional Hospital
Members of the Lethbridge Hurricanes visited the Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday to help deliver thousands of teddy bears collected during Friday's game against the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Winnipeg
-
'Same problems over and over': 2024 the worst year for vacant house fires in Winnipeg, expected to get worse
2024 has been the worst year on record for vacant building fires in Winnipeg
-
Nurses union worried about Manitoba health-care cuts
The union representing nurses in Manitoba said a recent government directive to cut costs could have an impact on patient care in the province.
-
Extreme cold warning issued in parts of southwestern Manitoba
The extreme cold is starting to settle in parts of Manitoba.
Regina
-
'Creatively incredible': Regina raised talent featured in 'Wicked' film
A background dancer from Saskatchewan was featured in the movie adaptation of Wicked, which has seen significant success at the box office.
-
'A nightmare': Sask. family voices concerns over state of public long-term care homes
A Saskatchewan family's experience with a public long-term care home is raising the alarm on the “unlivable” conditions faced by some seniors in the province.
-
Province hopes legislative changes will cut long waitlists for subsidized childcare
The province is making legislative changes in hopes of build additional capacity for the federally-subsidized $10 a day childcare spaces across Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon
-
These Saskatoon high school drama students were performing for a packed house. Then the power went out.
A Saskatoon high school drama production took an unexpected turn when a massive power outage took the lights out in the middle of a packed house last week.
-
'A pretty big hit': Sask. gun store loses $40K in inventory, following federal gun ban
About $40,000 worth of guns have been removed from a Saskatoon store, following the latest federal ban.
-
Province hopes legislative changes will cut long waitlists for subsidized childcare
The province is making legislative changes in hopes of build additional capacity for the federally-subsidized $10 a day childcare spaces across Saskatchewan.
Toronto
-
LIVE @ 10:30 a.m. EST
LIVE @ 10:30 a.m. EST Bank of Canada drops key interest rate
The Bank of Canada has dropped its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 3.25 per cent.
-
Signal issues result in delays on Line 1 for second time this week
Service on TTC’s Line 1 is back after a signal issue Monday morning stopped trains across the entire route, but delays persist during the morning commute.
-
Pedestrian struck by TTC bus in Toronto's west end dies in hospital
A pedestrian has died in hospital after they were struck by a TTC bus in the city’s west end, Toronto police say.
Montreal
-
Education unions filing labour tribunal complaint against Quebec over hiring freeze
The collection of education unions and federations - the CSQ - is filing a complaint against the Quebec government over the recruitment freeze in effect since Nov. 1.
-
Banning prayer in public: legal experts sound alarm on Legault's threat to use notwithstanding clause
Legal experts say the increasing tendency of provincial premiers to use the notwithstanding clause is a worrying trend that disregards the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
-
External audit confirms 'careless' spending by Hampstead's former director general
The Montreal municipality of Hampstead had 'major financial management and control deficiencies' that led to 'abusive credit card' spending by the town's former director general over a five-year period, an external audit has confirmed.
Ottawa
-
LIVE @ 10:30 a.m. EST
LIVE @ 10:30 a.m. EST Bank of Canada drops key interest rate
The Bank of Canada has dropped its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 3.25 per cent.
-
RAINFALL WARNING, FOG ADVISORY
RAINFALL WARNING, FOG ADVISORY Fog, 10-15 mm of rain in the forecast for Ottawa today
It will be a foggy and rainy day in Ottawa, before snow returns to the national capital region tonight and on Thursday. Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning and a fog advisory for Ottawa and most of eastern Ontario.
-
Ottawa firefighters respond to ice rescue call involving a dog in the Rideau River
The Ottawa Fire Services is warning residents that "no ice is safe ice," after a dog went through the ice near the Manotick Marina. The Ice Rescue Teams responded to a 9-1-1 call Wednesday morning reporting their dog fell through the ice and into the cold Rideau River.
Atlantic
-
Schools closed in northwestern N.B., additional weather alerts issued ahead of Thursday storm
Freezing rain has closed schools in parts of New Brunswick Wednesday, while additional weather alerts have been issued ahead of a developing storm that will bring rain and strong winds to the Maritimes Thursday.
-
Tensions rising between Canada Post, union as strike nears four-week mark
Canada Post and the union representing postal workers are in a war of words as a countrywide strike enters its 27th day.
-
N.B. town seeks to limit the number of cats, dogs in homes
The Town of Shediac, N.B., is proposing a bylaw that would limit the number of cats and dogs in homes.
London
-
Snow squall warnings and watches in effect, as much as 20cm expected
More snow is expected to roll through the region this afternoon, and it’s coming out swinging.
-
Councillor McAlister claims his ward 'got shafted' by the rest of London after storming out of debate
An unexpectedly tense debate about adjusting London’s electoral boundaries saw Councillor Hadleigh McAlister leave mid-meeting and claim his ward is being carved up to satisfy the rest of London.
-
LIVE @ 10:30 a.m. EST
LIVE @ 10:30 a.m. EST Bank of Canada drops key interest rate
The Bank of Canada has dropped its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 3.25 per cent.
Kitchener
-
Business director of Dutchie’s pleads guilty to Employment Standards Act offences
The business director of Dutchie’s Fresh Market, a Waterloo Region-based grocer, has pleaded guilty to more than a dozen offences.
-
Waterloo Region mistakenly applied $13.7M discount to Amazon build in Blair
The Region of Waterloo will not be able to demand $13.7 million from a developer after they said a discount was mistakenly issued for the development of an Amazon fulfillment centre.
-
Petition seeks to save U of G greenhouse from demolition
The fate of a historic greenhouse on the University of Guelph campus hangs in the balance.
Northern Ontario
-
Transit fare evasion in Sudbury prompts city to add security on the buses
To combat the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in transit fare revenue, Greater Sudbury is hiring two part-time municipal law enforcement officers to ride city buses.
-
Doctor shortage crisis turning into a catastrophe in the north: OMA
Northern Ontario doctors are calling on the province to immediately address an acute doctor shortage in northern Ontario.
-
What financial experts wish you knew about divorce
Divorce is a major financial reset, yet also one of the worst times to make a lot of important decisions, according to financial experts.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland towns light up harbours to honour fishers and pray for their safety
On a twinkling wharf in a small Newfoundland town, a crowd of about 100 people stopped singing and chatting on Friday night to bow their heads in a moment of silence for local fish harvesters.
-
North anxious over dwindling necessities, no Christmas gifts, due to postal strike
Communities in Northern Canada say the postal strike is starting to choke off the supply and children in remote regions may not receive Christmas gifts this year.
-
Not just for your parents: Facebook's buy-and-sell platform drawing back millennials
The two-metre-tall anchor, believed to be from a century-old shipwreck, was salvaged by a fisherman in the 1980s. But last year, the 31-year-old Stapleton, who works as a navigation officer on a cargo ship, snapped it up on Facebook Marketplace.
