Ontario’s top court ruled Monday a controversial law that limited raises for more than one million public service workers is unconstitutional.
The Court of Appeal found in favour of the workers, which includes teachers and nurses, in a 2-1 decision.
The Progressive Conservatives enacted the law, known as Bill 124, in 2019 as a way to help the government eliminate a deficit.
It capped salary increases for public sector workers to one per cent a year for three years.
The law faced widespread criticism, especially for its impact on the health sector, potentially contributing to nurses leaving the profession or seeking higher-paying roles in private nursing agencies.
Labour groups and unions, representing numerous public sector employees, challenged the law, resulting in the Ontario Superior Court deeming it unconstitutional in late 2022 for violating collective bargaining rights.
Written by: The Canadian Press
