An order issued under the Canada Labour Code has struck down a St. John’s helicopter operator’s policy to randomly test pilots and other staff for cannabis. Newfoundland and Labrador arbitrator Susan Ashley determined that drug testing was invasive and said that “protection of these privacy rights in all of the circumstances outweighs the employer’s legitimate interest in promoting safety.” Cougar Helicopters Inc. wanted to perform random drug tests on employees last March, but the union representing the company’s workers objected to the plan.
