The Law of Picketing in Alberta

The author discusses the law of picketing with special emphasis on cases decided in Alberta and on the peculiarities of the Alberta labour legislation. The law relating to picketing is considered in two categories: Picketing in support of unlawful strikes and picketing in support of lawful strikes. In this context the author discusses when picketing can be enjoined or give rise to damage actions. The author recommends rational assessment of when, where and how picketing should be allowed in the context of the Canadian system of collective bargaining, with less reliance in the control of picketing on the torts of inducing breach of contract, conspiracy and intimidation.