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ARTICLE · 07 NOVEMBER 2017

Alberta Decision a Win for Random Drug & Alcohol Testing (For Now)

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A recent decision of Alberta's Court of Appeal ("ABCA") is being heralded as a victory for employers in the ongoing tug-of-war between employee privacy and maintaining workplace safety.

CanadaEmployment and HR
Gordana Ivanovic
Gordana Ivanovic
Paul Boshyk
Paul Boshyk
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A recent decision of Alberta's Court of Appeal ("ABCA") is being heralded as a victory for employers in the ongoing tug-of-war between employee privacy and maintaining workplace safety.[1]

Background

In 2012, Suncor Inc. announced that it would be introducing a random drug and alcohol testing policy at its oil sands operations sites in northeastern Alberta.  Employees at these sites worked 12 hour shifts, and operated some of the largest and most complex mining and industrial equipment in the world (including heavy haul trucks as large as multi-story buildings).  All of the sites were located near environmentally sensitive areas and densely populated communities.  It was not disputed that accidents at these sites could result in human or environmental disaster.

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