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Federally Regulated Workers: Your Right Against Unjust Dismissal

While 90% of Alberta workers are governed by provincial law, a critical 10% fall under the federal Canada Labour Code. If you work in a federally regulated industry, you have a set of job protections far superior to the provincial standard — including the right to claim unjust dismissal.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE EMPLOYEE.

They May Not Be Able to Just Fire You

Unlike provincial law, federally regulated employers do not have the right to terminate an employee without cause just by paying severance. This was affirmed by the Supreme Court in Wilson v. Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. If you’ve worked for 12 months, your employer must prove the termination was for one of two legally permissible reasons:

  • Just Cause: you committed severe misconduct, which is a high legal bar.
  • Discontinuance of a Function: the position was eliminated due to restructuring or lack of work.

Are You Federally Regulated?

Federal jurisdiction covers inter-provincial and national operations, including banks; air, rail, and marine transportation, including trucking that crosses borders; pipelines, tunnels, and bridges that cross borders; telecommunications and broadcasting; and federal Crown corporations and First Nation activities. If your employer operates in one of these sectors, the Canada Labour Code — not Alberta’s Employment Standards Code — governs your rights.

Lluc Cerdà
Quote

Federal employees often don’t realize they can fight to get their job back, not just collect severance. But the window is only 90 days. The single most important thing you can do is get advice before that deadline quietly passes.

Lluc Cerdà Founder
10y+ Experiences
1000+ Clients
99% Resolved Cases
Our Process

Simple Steps to Protect Your Severance

Our structured approach ensures you receive clear advice, strong legal support, and the confidence to move forward at every stage.
01

Submit Your Information

Share your situation and severance offer with our team online or by phone.
02

Case Review by a Lawyer

Meet with an experienced employment lawyer to understand your rights and options.
03

Strategy & Advice

Meet with an experienced employment lawyer to understand your rights and options.
04

Negotiation & Representation

Meet with an experienced employment lawyer to understand your rights and options.
How We Help

Challenge the Dismissal — or Get Reinstated

We confirm whether your employer is federally regulated and whether you qualify for unjust dismissal protection, then move quickly to protect the strict 90-day deadline for filing your complaint.

We pursue the powerful remedies available under the Canada Labour Code that aren’t available in a typical court action — including reinstatement, damages in lieu of reinstatement, and back pay that can often dwarf standard severance.

  • Confirmation that your employer is federally regulated and that you qualify under the Canada Labour Code.
  • Fast action to protect the strict 90-day deadline for an unjust dismissal complaint.
  • Scrutiny of whether your employer can actually prove just cause or a genuine discontinuance of function.
  • Pursuit of reinstatement into the same or a comparable position with full seniority.
  • Recovery of full back pay from the date of termination to the date of any reinstatement order.
Why It Matters

Miss the Deadline, Lose the Remedy

An unjust dismissal complaint under the Canada Labour Code must be filed within 90 days of dismissal — far shorter than the two-year window most Alberta employees have. These federal remedies, including getting your job back, are lost entirely if that window closes, so early advice is essential.

Reinstatement Is on the Table

Unlike most provincial claims, a successful federal unjust dismissal complaint can order your employer to give you your job back, with full seniority and back pay — a remedy worth protecting.

90 Days, Not Two Years

Federal unjust dismissal complaints must be filed within 90 days of your dismissal. Don’t assume you have the usual two-year window — confirm your deadline immediately.

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I felt supported every step of the way.

Employment Law Advocates made a stressful situation so much easier to navigate. Their team was responsive, knowledgeable, and fought hard to secure the outcome I deserved.

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Employment Law Advocates made a stressful situation so much easier to navigate. Their team was responsive, knowledgeable, and fought hard to secure the outcome I deserved.

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Serving All Industries

Legal Support Across Industries

From oil and gas to healthcare, technology, construction, finance, and more — our team has extensive experience helping employees navigate complex workplace disputes.

Book Your Free Consultation Today

    Submit your information and a member of our team will contact you within 24–48 hours.

    FAQs

    Have Questions? Get Answers

    Federal employment law works differently from Alberta’s rules, and the deadlines are shorter. Here’s what federally regulated workers ask us most.
    You’re federally regulated if your employer operates in a federal sector — banks; air, rail, or marine transportation, including cross-border trucking; pipelines, tunnels, or bridges that cross borders; telecommunications and broadcasting; or federal Crown corporations and First Nation activities. If so, the Canada Labour Code governs your rights, not Alberta’s Employment Standards Code.
    It’s a protection for federal employees with at least 12 months of service. Unlike provincial law, your employer can’t simply pay severance and let you go — they must prove your termination was for just cause or a genuine discontinuance of function, as affirmed by the Supreme Court in Wilson v. Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
    Yes — that’s a key difference from provincial claims. A successful unjust dismissal complaint can result in reinstatement into the same or a comparable position with full seniority, plus back pay. If reinstatement isn’t practical, damages in lieu are available instead.
    Only 90 days from the date of your dismissal — far shorter than the two-year provincial window. This deadline is strict, so if you think you were unjustly dismissed, it’s critical to get advice right away rather than waiting.
    Just cause, meaning you committed serious misconduct — a high legal bar — or discontinuance of a function, meaning your position was genuinely eliminated due to restructuring or lack of work. If neither applies, your dismissal is likely unjust.
    It can often dwarf standard severance, especially for shorter-service employees. Back pay covers all wages and benefits lost from the date of termination until the date of any reinstatement order — and that period can grow the longer a complaint takes to resolve.
    We offer a confidential initial consultation to confirm whether you’re federally regulated, whether you qualify, and how to protect the 90-day deadline. Fee arrangements are discussed openly before you commit to anything.