Canada is in the midst of its most turbulent labour moment in decades. From airports to post offices and rail yards, workers have been hitting the picket lines in record numbers, demanding fair wages and protections as inflation, tariffs, and an affordability crisis squeeze households nationwide.

But as unions flex their strength, the federal government has repeatedly stepped in with back-to-work orders—escalating tensions and raising questions about workers’ rights in 2025.

Strikes on the Rise

According to Statistics Canada, workers lost 6.6 million workdays to labour disputes in 2023—the highest level since 1986. Experts say that momentum has only accelerated, fueled by stagnant wages, rising living costs, and the fallout from an ongoing trade war.

“People generally seem to have lost a lot of confidence in institutions and governments to be able to deliver results for them,” said Kiavash Najafi of the Canadian Labour Congress, which represents over three million unionized workers.

A Growing Rift with Ottawa

Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned on protecting Canadian jobs, but union leaders say his government has done little to support workers once in power.

“He used us as a backdrop for photo ops,” said Alisha Kang, president of the Union of National Employees. “But now when the rubber hits the road, he’s not there to actually protect workers.”

The government has leaned heavily on Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, which allows the jobs minister to order binding arbitration and force employees back to work. It was used most recently against Air Canada’s flight attendants, who briefly defied the order and risked fines and jail time before reaching a deal.

Unions argue that the government’s repeated interventions violate the Charter right to strike, and several groups are now challenging Ottawa in court.

Workers Ready to Fight

Despite government pushback, experts believe the tide of labour action is unlikely to subside.

“Once some started, you had a snowball effect,” explained Barry Eidlin, a labour scholar at McGill University. He pointed to the Air Canada flight attendants’ defiance as a potential turning point: “They bucked the trend and that got employers back to the table.”

For unions, that moment could become a precedent. For Ottawa, it’s a warning that back-to-work orders may no longer be enough to stop strikes from gaining ground.

Parliament’s Shifting Politics

Complicating matters is the weakening of the NDP, historically labour’s strongest voice in Parliament. After losing all but seven seats in the last election, the party faces a leadership race while unions face mounting struggles.

That leaves workers with less political leverage at a moment when they feel more vulnerable than ever.

The Road Ahead

With affordability at crisis levels and job insecurity growing, Canadian unions are signaling they’re ready for bigger battles ahead. Whether Ottawa chooses to negotiate, legislate, or confront workers directly will shape not only the future of labour rights—but also the political landscape of Canada in the years to come.