The Canada Industrial Relations Board has ordered the Bank of Canada to immediately stop using replacement workers during an ongoing strike by security officers at the central bank's Ottawa headquarters. The ruling, issued on July 7, 2026, found that the bank violated federal labour laws by hiring temporary staff to perform the duties of striking employees.
Strike began in late June
Approximately 60 security officers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) walked off the job on June 29, 2026, after contract negotiations broke down. The workers are demanding higher wages and improved working conditions, citing increased workloads and safety concerns. The strike has included picket lines outside the Bank of Canada building on Wellington Street in Ottawa.
According to PSAC, the bank brought in replacement workers to maintain security operations, which the union argued undermined the strike and violated the Canada Labour Code. The code prohibits the use of replacement workers during a legal strike unless specific exemptions apply, such as to prevent serious damage to property or the environment.
Board ruling and implications
The Canada Industrial Relations Board sided with the union, ruling that the Bank of Canada did not meet the criteria for using replacement workers. The board ordered the bank to cease and desist from employing temporary staff to perform the work of striking employees. The decision is binding, and the bank must comply immediately or face potential legal consequences.
“This is a significant victory for our members and for workers’ rights across Canada,” said a PSAC spokesperson. “The Bank of Canada tried to undermine our strike, but the board has made it clear that the law applies to everyone, even the country’s central bank.”
The Bank of Canada has not yet publicly commented on the ruling. However, the central bank had previously argued that replacement workers were necessary to ensure the security of its facilities and to maintain essential operations during the strike.
Impact on operations
The strike has not disrupted the Bank of Canada’s core functions, such as monetary policy or financial system oversight, as those operations are handled by other staff not involved in the labour dispute. However, the security officers’ absence has led to increased security checks and longer wait times for employees and visitors entering the building. The central bank has implemented temporary measures to maintain a secure environment, including relying on Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers for perimeter security.
The union has indicated that negotiations remain stalled and that no new talks are scheduled. The striking workers are seeking a contract that addresses wage increases, better benefits, and improved staffing levels to reduce overtime demands.
Broader context
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between federal employers and unions over the use of replacement workers. In 2023, the federal government introduced legislation to ban replacement workers in federally regulated industries, but the bill has not yet been enacted. The current case underscores the importance of existing protections under the Canada Labour Code.
Labour experts say the board’s decision could set a precedent for other federal workplaces facing strikes. “This ruling reinforces that employers cannot simply hire temporary staff to break a strike,” said a labour law professor at the University of Ottawa. “It sends a strong message that the law protects the right to strike.”
The strike continues, with no immediate resolution in sight. Both sides have expressed willingness to return to the bargaining table, but no dates have been set.
