Petition: Workers’ Right to Fair Access to Full-Time or Part-Time Employment, Canada
To: The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Relevant Authorities

Petitioner: Wedad Omar, on behalf of Canadian workers and concerned citizens

Contact:

📧 wedad.a.fares@gmail.com

📞 587‑893‑2334

📍 Calgary, AB

 

 
 

The Issue
After speaking with fellow workers and community members, it has become clear that involuntary part-time scheduling and unstable hours are not isolated experiences. Many Canadians who are willing, able, and available to work full-time are restricted to part-time hours, sometimes scheduled for shifts as short as 3–3.5 hours.

In some cases, workers are required to maintain fully open availability while receiving minimal or inconsistent hours. This imbalance places disproportionate control over workers’ time in the hands of employers while leaving employees without stable income.

A fair employment system should provide a pathway to financial security. No one should be forced to juggle multiple jobs simply to meet basic living expenses due to restricted or unstable scheduling practices.

Canada should protect both the right to choose part-time work and the right to pursue full-time employment when sustained labour demand exists, without coercion, retaliation, or artificial scheduling barriers.

 

 
 

Problematic Practices
Workers report practices such as:

Hiring primarily for part-time positions even when ongoing labour demand reflects full-time needs

Scheduling extremely short shifts that do not reasonably compensate commuting and preparation time

Requiring unrestricted open availability as a condition of hiring

Refusing to hire qualified applicants solely because they cannot provide fully open availability

Reducing hours when workers establish reasonable availability boundaries

Structuring schedules in ways that prevent workers from attaining full-time status

These practices can create financial instability, stress, and long-term economic insecurity for workers and their families.

 

 
 

Why This Matters
Stable employment strengthens families and communities.
 Unpredictable or insufficient work hours contribute to financial strain, mental stress, and reduced quality of life.

Workers who are willing to contribute full-time should have a fair opportunity to do so. Balanced labour standards promote workforce stability, productivity, and retention, benefiting both employees and responsible businesses.

 

 
 

Our Request
We respectfully call for federal labour reform to ensure:

A legally protected right for workers to pursue full-time hours when sustained labour demand exists.

Protection from retaliation or reduced scheduling when workers establish reasonable availability boundaries.

Fair scheduling standards that prevent exploitatively short shifts imposed without employee consent.

Transparency in hiring practices regarding available hours and scheduling expectations.

 

 
 

A Balanced Approach
This petition is not intended to restrict legitimate business operations. It seeks to promote balanced labour standards that protect workers’ dignity, economic stability, and freedom of choice while supporting sustainable and responsible business practices across Canada.

Stable workers strengthen families.
 Stable families strengthen communities.
 Strong communities strengthen the Canadian economy.

 

 
 

Signatures
Name                                   Signature                         Date                              City / Province