Labour ministers discuss key challenges facing workers in Canada

British Columbia  – Federal, provincial and territorial labour ministers met today to collaborate on common issues in workplaces across Canada. The meeting was co-hosted by Seamus O’Regan Jr., federal Minister of Labour, Harry Bains, Minister of Labour for British Columbia.

Last year, the International Labour Organization (ILO) presented to ministers on the recent inclusion of a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work. Since then, federal, provincial and territorial governments have been undertaking a technical review of Canada’s current compliance with ILO C155, the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981. Ministers received an update on that work and discussed next steps toward Canada’s possible ratification of the convention.

The Canadian Standards Association and the BC Building Trades gave presentations to ministers on the challenges workers face with personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace, including ill-fitting PPE especially for women. These challenges present serious dangers on worksites and barriers to the inclusion of women in the trades and other sectors. Ministers agreed to do more work in this area, including raising the issue with PPE manufacturers, employers and labour in their respective jurisdictions and convening a meeting on this issue. Ministers also discussed harmonization efforts related to occupational health and safety.

Ministers then discussed occupational health and safety protections and labour standards for workers in gig work and other non-standard employment circumstances. This emerging industry requires governments to consider how labour standards can address the reality faced by these workers.

Ministers also spoke about labour dispute provisions, appropriate essential service levels during a strike or lockout, and the issue of replacement workers, while sharing their experiences and best practices regarding conflict resolution. Minister O’Regan spoke with his colleagues about the report he received from industrial relations experts offering recommended terms of reference for the Government’s forthcoming review of longshore disputes at ports. Ministers agreed that Canada’s credibility depends on the stable operation of its supply chains, and discussed how they can work together to ensure that Canada continues to be a reliable trading partner to the world.

The meeting concluded with ministers reiterating their commitment to working together to share information and best practices in order to implement policies supporting fair, safe, healthy and inclusive workplaces in their jurisdictions.