Meeting of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Labour

 

News Release

 

For Immediate  Release

Mental health and flex work key topics of productive discussions  between federal, provincial and territorial ministers of labour

September  9, 2016        Prince George, British  Columbia          

Mental  health in the workplace and flexible work arrangements to support workers and  their families were among the issues discussed today by the federal, provincial  and territorial ministers responsible for labour. The annual meeting was co-chaired  by the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Canada's Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and  the Honourable Shirley  Bond, British Columbia's Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and  Minister Responsible for Labour.

The ministers examined the issue of workplace mental  health, including post-traumatic stress disorder. They also highlighted the  importance of this matter in a joint statement issued today, agreeing to take  steps to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues in the  workplace and to encourage workers to seek help when they need it. They also  expressed interest in contributing to the development of a coordinated national  action plan on post-traumatic stress disorder.

Minister Mihychuk provided her provincial and  territorial counterparts with an overview of what she heard during recent  public consultations on amending the Canada  Labour Code to give workers in federally regulated sectors the right to  request flexible work arrangements. She encouraged them to consider tackling  this issue in their jurisdictions.

Occupational health and safety regulatory harmonization  was discussed and governments across the country will continue to work quickly together to identify opportunities for harmonization. The ministers  agreed on an action plan which identifies concrete areas for harmonization,  such as personal protective equipment. These efforts will help improve  occupational health and safety for Canadian workers and will also make it  easier for companies working in multiple provinces and territories to support  their employees from a health and safety standpoint.

The ministers responsible for labour also shared their  points of view regarding labour standards and approaches to finding the right  balance between both better supporting workers and meeting the needs of  employers given the changing nature of work. They acknowledged that the new  workplace environment requires consideration by governments.

The ministers also discussed the Federal–Provincial–Territorial  Strategy on Canada and the International Labour Organization (ILO) for 2017–2020,  in which Canada is becoming more active. Building on their successful  collaboration on last year's ratification of Convention 138 on Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, they  agreed to continue to work together on the ratification process of Convention 98 on the Right to Organize and  Collective Bargaining.  

Quotes

"By  working together with my colleagues from the provinces and territories on  common labour-related issues, such as workplace mental health and flex work, I  am confident that we can better support Canadian workers and employers and  contribute to healthier and more productive workplaces across the country. By  supporting our workers, we are helping the middle class grow and prosper. "
– The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of  Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"It is a pleasure to host my federal,  territorial and provincial labour colleagues in Prince George. By sharing  information and working collaboratively, we can explore ways to build on our  strong foundation of existing supports to help ensure Canadian employers and  workers can continue to thrive and be productive in safe, healthy and fair  workplaces."
– The Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister  of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training for British Columbia and Minister  Responsible for Labour for British Columbia

Quick Facts

   
• The  meeting of ministers responsible for labour provides a key forum to discuss  public policies and explore opportunities for cooperation on joint projects and  labour initiatives.

   
• Throughout  the year, work continues through the Canadian Association of Administrators of  Labour Legislation (CAALL).

   
• Established  in 1938, CAALL is an association of federal, provincial and territorial  departments of labour and heads of occupational health and safety agencies.

Further information

The Canadian  Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation

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Contacts

John O'Leary
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
819-654-5611

Media  Relations Office
Employment  and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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Media  Relations
Ministry  of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
and  Responsible for Labour
Province  of British Columbia
250-387-2799
JTST.MediaRequests@gov.bc.ca