In Alberta, it is illegal to fire an employee in retaliation for filing a WCB claim. However, if the business is downsizing or the employee violates company policy, termination may still be legally permissible.
Retaliatory Discharge
Firing a worker specifically because they got hurt is grounds for a massive wrongful termination lawsuit. Alberta courts aggressively protect injured workers from retaliation.
Legitimate Terminations
If a worker was already scheduled to be laid off due to seasonal downsizing, or if they commit a severe fireable offense (like theft) while on light duty, the termination is usually legal. However, Alberta employers must have airtight documentation to prove the termination was completely unrelated to the injury.