She adds:
While the changes will increase costs for employers, those costs may be offset by productivity gains, Sterling noted.
"Federally regulated employees may be more productive while at work because of predictability in their shifts and longer periods away from work," she added.
American businesses that operate in Canada under federal jurisdiction will be subject to these reforms for their Canadian employees.
"The new Canadian federal standards are more generous than what is provided by many—if not all—[labor statutes the] U.S. states," Sterling said. "When coupled with existing standards, the new federal package of reforms is more generous than any province in Canada."