Fortaleza – On July 25 and 26, 2024, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, attended the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting in Fortaleza, Brazil to discuss common challenges on ensuring high-quality employment in a changing global economy.
Minister Boissonnault reaffirmed Canada’s longstanding commitment to a worker-centric approach in a changing world, focused on making sure that people are at the forefront of all decisions in the face of technological and environmental changes. He also called on the G20 community to seize new opportunities and work through challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence, and the need to establish ethical and responsible conditions for its use that will protect workers’ rights.
In meetings with his counterparts from the United States, Singapore, Brazil and the United Kingdom, the Minister highlighted the benefits of diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace and the essential need to expand access to quality education and invest in continuous skill development for the workforce of the future. Minister Boissonnault also congratulated Alison McGovern, the new Minister of State for Employment for the United Kingdom, one of Canada’s longstanding friends and allies.
Throughout the meeting, Minister Boissonnault emphasized Canada’s leadership in advancing gender equality, promoting diversity and inclusion in Canada’s labour force, and progressing on the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Canada, along with all G20 members, also reaffirmed its commitments toward achieving the Brisbane Target, which aims to reduce gender gaps in labour market participation by 25% by 2025 and to accelerate progress on gender equality. Minister Boissonnault thanked Brazil for hosting this year’s G20. Canada remains committed to the G20 and to working with its G20 partners to build a sustainable, fairer and more equitable future where no one is left behind.
“As we create high-quality jobs today, we must ensure the workforce is ready to thrive in the economy of tomorrow. International forums like G20 give us the opportunity to share and learn from other countries. Our Government is committed to ensure Canadian workers lead the way in the global economy of the future.” – Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault