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This paper uses the Alberta Labour Relations Board ("ALRB") as a case study to explore if, and how, administrative tribunals should participate in the legislative development process. In 2007, the ALRB introduced Guidelines for Consultation on Legislation to more clearly define their role in developing legislation after a labour union brought an action about the independence and impartiality of the ALRB's sitting Chair before the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench. While the Guidelines were designed to mitigate future risks, they raise several concerns from an administrative law perspective: (1) imposing a sense of forced neutrality; (2) rejecting the ALRB's potential substantive contributions to legislative development; and (3) introducing an artificial distinction between technical and substantive issues. As a potential solution, this paper explores two key recommendations: introducing a reference question provision in the Code to provide a formal, public process for ALRB input and reforming the Board appointment process.
Cet article utilise la Commission des relations de travail de l'Alberta (Alberta Labour Relations Board ou " ALRB ", ci-apres la " Commission ") comme cas de figure pour explorer si, et comment, les tribunaux administratifs devraient participer au processus d'elaboration de la legislation. En 2007, la Commission a introduit des Lignes directrices pour les consultations sur la legislation afin de mieux definir son role dans l'elaboration des lois a la suite d'une poursuite intentee par un syndicat devant la Cour du Banc de la Reine de l'Alberta portant sur l'independance et l'impartialite du president en poste de la Commission. Bien que les Lignes directrices aient pour objectif d'attenuer les risques futurs, elles soulevent plusieurs inquietudes du point de vue du droit administratif: (1) en imposant un sens de neutralite forcee; (2) en rejetant les contributions de fond potentielles de la Commission a l'elaboration des lois; et (3) en etablissant une distinction artificielle entre les questions techniques et les questions de fond. Comme solution possible, cet article explore deux recommandations cles : l'introduction d'une disposition sur les renvois afin de prevoir un processus public officiel pour l'apport de la Commission et une reforme du processus de nomination des membres de la Commission.
1.INTRODUCTION
In September 2017, Calgary-based Hilton Garden Inn employee Aaron Doncaster was terminated from his position for starting a campaign to unionize his...