In this episode: layoffs at Skip the Dishes and University Canada West, Air Canada’s compensation to pilots who were denied religious exemptions from the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, top skills required for early career workers and other topics.

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1. University Canada West in Vancouver has laid off a significant portion of its workforce as part of a major restructuring. Reports indicate that around 240 staff and faculty—roughly 30% of employees—were affected | University Canada West lays off 240 staff and faculty, citing crippling international student enrolment caps - Yahoo News Canada
2. SkipTheDishes, a Canadian food and delivery company based in Winnipeg, is laying off staff, as is closing its “Express Lane” grocery fulfilment centres | Skip the Dishes lays off staff, closes grocery delivery service centres in Canada - Yahoo News Canada
3. Air Canada to compensate seven pilots who were denied religious exemptions from the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, ruling the decision violated the Canadian Human Rights Act | Air Canada pilots denied religious COVID-19 vaccine exemption 
4. Ontario has reached a major milestone in its effort to harmonize workplace safety training across Canada | Ontario achieves safety training harmonization goals | Canadian Occupational Safety
5. A recent Robert Half survey shows top skills for early career professionals | Robert Half survey reveals what early career workers need to succeed--beyond just AI skills - Apr 16, 2026 

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