Ontario nurses launch constitutional challenge over lack of right to strike

1 hour ago 6

They say the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act is among the most restrictive of its kind in Canada.

Author of the article:

Canadian Press

Allison Jones

Published May 11, 2026 • 1 minute read

Ontario Nurses' Association president Erin Ariss speaks to a crowd during a picket in front of Woodstock's city hall on March 19, 2025. Jacob Robinson/Postmedia

The Ontario Nurses’ Association is launching a constitutional challenge of a law that prevents them from taking any form of job action during the bargaining process.

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Article content

They say the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act is among the most restrictive of its kind in Canada.

Article content

Association president Erin Ariss says it prevents not just full strikes, but also other forms of job action.

When there are disputes in the collective bargaining process between nurses and employers like hospitals, and a contract cannot be agreed upon, it goes to arbitration and Ariss says that system is failing to address systemic issues of equal wages and understaffing.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones would not comment on the legal challenge, but says the government values nurses.

An arbitrator last year awarded hospital nurses pay increases of 5.25 per cent over two years, but the union was disappointed it did not address minimum staffing levels, which they say was their top issue.

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