What does the term “at-will employment” mean in Canada?

The term “at-will employment” does not apply in the same manner in Canada as it does in jurisdictions like the United States. In Canada, employment is generally governed by the principle that employees require just cause for termination, meaning that an employer must have a valid reason to terminate an employee's contract.

This ensure that employees are protected from arbitrary dismissal. In most cases, if an employer wishes to terminate an employee, they need to demonstrate just cause or provide a notice period or compensation in lieu of notice according to the applicable employment standards laws or the terms of the employment contract.

This understanding of termination aligns with Canadian labor laws, which safeguard against unreasonably abrupt or unjust terminations, thus emphasizing the importance of just cause in most employment situations.