Budget 2024 is pitching a long list of new laws

The 2024 federal budget, tabled Tuesday, includes dozens of new laws and amendments that cover everything from updates to the Criminal Code to how public servants unwind.

Here's a closer look at some of the proposed legislation.

Establishing a 'right to disconnect'

Do you get calls and emails from your boss after hours? Do you hate it?

The federal government is attempting to draw a clearer line between work and personal time by proposing what it calls a «right to disconnect.» The budget pledges a few million dollars to update the Canada Labour Code «to require employers in federally-regulated sectors to establish a right to disconnect policy limiting work-related communication outside of scheduled working hours.»

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said she had working Gen Z-ers in mind.

«One of the realities of life for all Canadians, but particularly for young Canadians, is this experience of being always on, of being always available. That's not healthy. It's not a good way to live,» she said Tuesday.

Federally-regulated industries include the federal public sector, railways, airlines and airports, banks, postal services, most federal Crown corporations, radio and television broadcasting and the telecommunication sector.

As with many proposed laws and legislative tweaks in the budget, it's not clear when this amendment would be introduced.

No more switching fees?

«Canadians still pay too much and see too little competition» with their cellular services, Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said earlier this year.

The government says it will introduce amendments to the Telecommunications Act to ban carriers from charging fees for renewing or switching home internet, home phone and cell phone plans.

The not-yet-released