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CAALL Bulletin - January 2009

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Canada’s labour ministers work together to help workers and employers succeed in the current economy

At their annual meeting, Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial labour ministers underscored their commitment to protecting the well-being of workers and employers, while improving working conditions and living standards in Canada.

The meeting, held from January 21 to 23, was co-chaired by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, federal Minister of Labour, and the Honourable Hector Goudreau, Minister of Employment and Immigration for Alberta.

An important issue addressed at the meeting was the current global economic situation. Ministers also discussed the federal Labour Standards Review and Canada’s international labour activities. In addition, the ministers made progress towards implementing the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals by approving an approach to changing their respective regulations. They also shared best practices with regards to work-life balance, the protection of temporary foreign workers and vulnerable/young workers, and improving cooperation with Aboriginal communities.

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Nova Scotia Review Committee reaffirms recommendation to increase minimum wage

Nova Scotia's Minimum Wage Review Committee has recommended staying the course on planned increases for minimum wage earners.

The committee of two employer and two employee representatives recommended continuing with annual increases which would make minimum wage $8.60 per hour by April 1st. Other planned raises would make minimum wage $9.65 per hour by October 1st, 2010. The plan is to reach the Low Income Cut-off Level by 2010. The committee will continue to meet annually to monitor economic indicators and examine other issues.

Minister Parent asked, in light of current economic conditions, that the committee continue to monitor the minimum wage. He also asked the committee to look at minimum wage increases and tip differential for workers in the restaurant and bar industry. The committee was not able to reach consensus on a tip or gratuity differential, which is a lower minimum wage for servers in licensed establishments.

The review committee's report has been posted on the Labour and the public is encouraged to comment on the report by March 2. For an English copy of the report, visit www.gov.ns.ca/lwd. A French copy will be posted by Feb. 16.

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CCOHS - Health and Safety course for 2009

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has set dates for the following two classroom courses for 2009.

 

Health & Safety for Managers and Supervisors is a two-day course that provides managers and supervisors and those with health and safety responsibilities with the information they need to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses and to develop a safety culture.

Health & Safety for Managers and Supervisors in the Canadian Federal Jurisdiction is a practical overview of the health and safety responsibilities of managers and supervisors in the Canadian federal jurisdiction. The course focuses on those requirements of the Canada Labour Code part II (CLC-II) which are likely to be important to managers and supervisors in their daily work.

For more information about these courses, visit: www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/course_listing.html or call 1-800-668-4284.

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Saskatchewan consultations on the minimum age of employment

The Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour has launched consultations on the issue of an absolute minimum age of employment in Saskatchewan and other employment standards to protect the well-being of young workers.

An absolute minimum age of employment refers to the age below which no young person is permitted to be employed. There is no absolute minimum age of employment in Saskatchewan, allowing young workers to seek employment in a variety of sectors, including retail and wholesale.

The Minimum Wage Regulations restrict the employment of young workers in five sectors - hotels, restaurants, educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes. Government has lowered the minimum age of employment in these five sectors to age 15 from 16 with the provision that the employed 15-year-olds not work more than 16 hours per week. The change is a pilot project that will be reviewed in May 2009, following the conclusion of the consultation process.

Public input will be sought through print advertisements and the internet. In addition, Ministry officials will consult with stakeholders and seek written submissions from interested parties. The deadline for input is May 1, 2009.

For more information, please visit: www.gov.sk.ca/news/

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Increase in Quebec's minimum wage

Following through on a pledge made by Premier Jean Charest during the recent provincial election campaign, Quebec Labour Minister David Whissell announced on January 30, 2009 that the Conseil des ministres has made arrangements to raise the minimum wage from $8.50 to $9.00 an hour on May 1, 2009.

Some 300,000 workers, representing close to 9% of the province's labour force, will benefit from this raise. This will be the sixth such increase since the Charest Liberals took power in 2003, raising the general minimum wage rate in Quebec from $7.30 in 2003 to $9.00 in 2009: an increase of more than 23%.

For more information, visit www.gouv.qc.ca/portail/quebec/pgs/commun/?lang=en.

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New Brunswick minimum wage increase

The minimum wage in New Brunswick will increase a total of 50 cents per hour in 2009. Effective April 15, the hourly minimum wage will increase by 25 cents to $8 per hour. Another increase of 25 cents will take place on September 1, setting the minimum wage at $8.25 per hour.

Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault said that, while the province's economy is slowing down, it is important to continue to give individuals and families the opportunity to improve their standard of living and help them build a better future in New Brunswick.

The minimum wage board will meet soon to review the economic conditions and decide whether to recommend to the government a longer-term plan for the minimum wage.

For more information on the minimum wage, visit: www.gnb.ca/labour.

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Workers compensation coverage for new industries in Manitoba

Following consultations with Manitobans, the Government of Manitoba recently announced that since January 1, 2009, a number of industries were added to those currently requiring workers compensation coverage.

The WCB will soon contact employers in newly covered industries to start registering them with the WCB. If you are an employer in one of these newly covered industries, you do not need to wait to hear from the WCB. Please complete the pre-registration questionnaire which can be submitted online to the Assessment Services Department.

For more information, please visit: www.wcb.mb.ca.

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Ontario Ministry of Labour committed to eliminating workplace injuries

Labour Minister Peter Fonseca announced on January 28, 2009 that the Ontario government will continue its efforts to reduce workplace injuries by cracking down on hazards involving forklifts and lifting devices at industrial workplaces in February 2009.

Inspectors will focus on ensuring employers are inspecting and maintaining lifting devices in good condition, using competent persons to operate the equipment and ensuring that the equipment is being used in a safe work environment.

This initiative is part of the province's new Safe At Work Ontario blitz strategy, announced on July 23, 2008. Keeping more workers safe means increased productivity for Ontario's economy and less strain on the health care system.

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Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta new website

On January 1, 2009 WCB-Alberta launched a new site built to give more information and simpler access to online services.

The new site is divided into four key sections: WCB for Workers, WCB for Employers, WCB for Health Care Providers and WCB General Information.

For more information, please visit: www.wcb.ab.ca.

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British Columbia tourism and hospitality industry to improve health and safety at work

Hotels, restaurants, pubs, and ski hills in British Columbia now have a new resource to help reduce injuries and improve workplace safety.

WorkSafeBC and go2 have signed an agreement for go2 to develop a health and safety division initially for employers in hotels, restaurants, pubs, and ski hills. Moving forward, go2 will work with WorkSafeBC to promote their services to all tourism and hospitality industry workplaces across B.C.  A key component of the agreement includes implementing and administering a Partners in Injury and Disability Prevention Program (COR program) for these employers in tourism and hospitality.

Go2 is an independent, non-profit industry association that works on human resources issues impacting the tourism and hospitality industry in British Columbia. For more information, please visit www.go2hr.ca.

The new health and safety division of go2 will focus on reducing the injury rate by evaluating causes of injuries and fatalities, and advocating reasonable and practical cost-effective solutions to those problems, by identifying, assessing, and communicating best safety practices in the industry and by consulting with the industry on selected well-defined, high-priority safety issues.

For more information, visit www.worksafebc.com/default.asp.

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Prince-Edward-Island Minister discussed Islander Day with Federal Labour Minister

On January 16, 1009, Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour raised the issue of Islander Day with Hon. Rona Ambrose, Federal Minister of Labour.

Minister Bertram said she thought the issue of Prince Edward Island federal employees having to work on Islander Day should be brought to the federal minister’s attention.

For more information, please visit: www.gov.pe.ca/news.

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Newfoundland and Labrador Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission telephone survey

In January 2009, the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (the Commission) undertook a survey of injured workers through its consultant, Corporate Research Associates.  The purpose of the survey was to evaluate the Commission’s services.

More information is available at: www.whscc.nf.ca/news.whscc.

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Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board reports fewer workers hurt in 2008

The Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board (YWCHSB) announced on January 8, 2009 that, for the first time in six years, the annual number of reported workplace injuries declined slightly. As of December 31, 2007 there were 1960 injuries reported. As of the same date in 2008 there were 1936.

This is an achievement, especially given the fact that Yukon’s workforce increased by 600 in 2008. In 2007, there was a workplace injury for every 9 workers; in 2008, this dropped slightly to 1 injury for every 9.4 workers. While this marks an improvement, there is still obviously a long way to go.

More information is available at: www.wcb.yk.ca.

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Saskatchewan workplace smoking ban

Saskatchewan employees will breathe easier this spring as a workplace smoking ban takes effect. The province-wide ban is the result of amendments to The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 and comes into force on May 31, 2009.

Under the existing smoking regulations, workplace smoking is allowed in certain designated smoking areas only. When the workplace smoking ban takes effect in May, smoking will be prohibited in all enclosed places of employment, including buildings, vehicles, other enclosed structures and underground mines with some exceptions such as traditional First Nations and Métis spiritual or cultural ceremonies; designated smoking rooms for residents and visitors of long-term care homes that are allowed by the Ministry of Health's Tobacco Control legislation; areas of underground mines that are located more than 10 metres from other workers; and some self-employed businesses, vehicles and camp living accommodations with permission and when others are not present.

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Appointments/Retirements/Announcements

Acknowledgements to outgoing Chair of Nova Scotia Workers' Compensation Board

On January 14, 2009, Labour and Workforce Development Minister Mark Parent thanked Mr. Ray Ivany, the outgoing chair of the Workers' Compensation Board, for his service to the board, to employers and to workers across the province. Mr. Ivany is resigning as chair of the board effective February 28th, to become the president of Acadia University in Wolfville.

Mr. Chris Power, deputy-chair of the Workers' Compensation Board is the acting chair until Mr. Ivany's replacement is chosen.

New Governors representing Saskatchewan and British Columbia on the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour announced on January 23, 2009 the appointment of Ms. Glennis Bihun as Governor representing Saskatchewan on the Council of Governors of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Board (CCOHS).

Minister Ambrose also announced the appointment of Ms. Diana Miles as Governor representing British Columbia on the Council of Governors of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Board (CCOHS). These nominations became effective on January 23, 2009.

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Parliament/Legislatures/Assemblies

Adjournment date Resumption date
Alberta December 3, 2008 February 10, 2009
British Columbia November 27, 2008 February 10, 2009
House of Commons January 26, 2009
Manitoba December 4, 2008
New Brunswick March 17, 2009 January 13, 2009
Newfoundland-Labrador December 17, 2008
Northwest Territories February 4, 2009
Nova Scotia November 25, 2008
Nunavut January 26, 2009
Ontario February 17, 2009
Prince Edward Island December 3, 2008 April 2, 2009
Québec January 13, 2009
Saskatchewan December 4, 2008 March 2, 2009
Yukon November 15, 2008
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Upcoming Events

Event City Date
29th International Congress on Occupational Health (ICOH) Cape Town, South Africa March 22 – 27, 2009
Western Conference on Safety Vancouver, British Columbia April 6 – 7, 2009
Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) - Health & Safety Canada 2009 Conference Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario April 20-22, 2009
Gala provincial du Québec des Prix innovation santé et sécurité du travail Centre des congrès de Québec, Québec April 29, 2009
Forum santé et sécurité du travail Centre des congrès de Québec, Québec April 30, 2009
98th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILO), 2009 Geneva, Switzerland June 3-19, 2009
Association of Labor Relations Agencies (ALRA) Conference Oakland - San Francisco Bay area July 18-22, 2009
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