Table of contents

Basic rules

Alberta law requires government to publish the following information about variances or exemptions issued by Employment Standards after January 1, 2018:

  • the name of the employer association or employers in a group
  • the provisions of the Employment Standards Code or Regulation that were varied or exempted
  • the effective date and duration of the variance or exemption

Apply and learn more about employment standards Ministerial Orders to vary or exempt.

Ministerial Orders issued

Table 1. Issued orders

Group or association Provision varied Effective date End date
Alberta Health Services Emergency Medical Services Hours of work confined March 11, 2019 May 9, 2021
Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 March 29, 2021 July 1, 2021
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Overtime hours and pay See order See order
Banff & Lake Louise Hospitality Association (BLLHA) Board and lodging deductions October 20, 2020 October 20, 2022
Calgary Hotel Association Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 March 29, 2021 July 1, 2021
Canadian Association Of Petroleum Producers Payment of wages, overtime pay and general holiday pay January 1, 2021 December 31, 2023
Merit Contractors Association Hours of work confined June 12, 2019 June 11, 2021
Vision Travel DT Ontario-West Inc. (Vision Travel) Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 March 29, 2021 July 1, 2021
West Edmonton Mall Property Inc. and 846396 Alberta Ltd. Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 March 29, 2021 July 1, 2021
West Edmonton Mall Property Inc. and 846396 Alberta Ltd. Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 March 29, 2021 July 1, 2021

Ministerial Orders revoked

Government has revoked a number of Ministerial Orders because they are now addressed in legislation.

Learn more about exceptions for specific industries outlined in the Employment Standards Regulation.

Table 2. Revoked orders

Group or association Provision(s) revoked Revocation date
Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association Hours of work confined, days of rest January 20, 2020
Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors Hours of work confined January 20, 2020
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Hours of work confined January 20, 2020
Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association Overtime hours February 20, 2020
Mushrooms Canada Hours of work confined, overtime hours, notice of work times February 20, 2020

Ministerial Orders expired

Table 3. Expired orders

Group or association Provision varied Expiry date
Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 January 1, 2021
Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 April 1, 2021
Alberta School Boards Association Employment for less than 3 hours January 13, 2021
Calgary Hotel Association Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 January 1, 2021
Calgary Hotel Association Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 April 1, 2021
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Payment of wages, overtime pay and general holiday pay December 31, 2020
City of Edmonton Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 January 1, 2021
City of St. Albert Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 January 1, 2021
Governing Council of The Salvation Army in Canada (Salvation Army, Fort McMurray Corps) Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 January 1, 2021
Imperial Oil Resources Limited Hours of work averaging agreements – averaging periods and work schedules October 31, 2020
The Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of St. John Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 April 1, 2021
Trico Centre for Family Wellness Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 January 1, 2021
YMCA of Alberta Termination pay after temporary layoff for reasons related to COVID-19 January 1, 2021

How the law applies

Section 136.1 of the Employment Standards Code and Section 63.3 of the Employment Standards Regulation outline the publication of variances, exemptions and orders.

Disclaimer: In the event of any discrepancy between this information and Alberta Employment Standards legislation, the legislation is considered correct.