Jurisdiction of the CIRB

The jurisdiction of the Canada Industrial Relations Board (the Board or the CIRB) under the Canada Labour Code (the Code) is limited to private sector works, undertakings and businesses that come within the legislative authority of the Parliament of Canada. These include:

  • Broadcasting
  • Banking
  • Postal services
  • Airports and air transportation
  • Shipping and navigation
  • Interprovincial or international transportation by road, railway, ferry or pipeline
  • Telecommunications
  • Grain handling
  • Uranium mining and processing

The Board also has jurisdiction over:

  • Most public and private sector activities in the Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories
  • Some First Nations undertakings
  • Federal Crown corporations (including, among others, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and the national museums)

With respect to Occupational Health and Safety (Part II of the Code), in addition to the industries above, the Board also has jurisdiction over the federal public administration. However, the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board retains jurisdiction over reprisal actions taken for raising an issue under Part II of the Code in the federal public and parliamentary service.

In addition to broadcasters and Crown corporations, the Status of the Artist Act applies to federal government departments and agencies. The CIRB is responsible for the interpretation and administration of Part II (Professional Relations) of the Status of the Artist Act.

Additionally, the CIRB is responsible for processing Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP) appeals.

The Labour Program of Employment and Social Development Canada plays a role in the administration of Part II (Occupational Health and Safety) and Part III (Labour Standards) of the Code, and is responsible for processing WEPP applications, along with Service Canada. For more information, please visit the WEPP website and the Labour Program website.

If you are a federal public servant, you are subject to the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act, administered by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board.

If you do not work in one of the areas listed above, you may have similar rights under provincial legislation.

Date modified: