The Honourable Filomena Tassi
P.C., M.P. Minister of Labour
Thirty years ago, Canada held its first official National Day of Mourning. Since then, every April 28th, we pay our respects and remember those workers who tragically lost their lives, were injured, or suffered illness while working. We think of those who feel the impact today, their lives forever changed: loved ones, family members, friends, and coworkers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven home the importance of workplace health and safety to workers, unions, and employers. Our government is working hard to provide a vaccine for everyone who wants one. Tens of thousands of Canadians are getting vaccinated every day.
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven home the importance of workplace health and safety to workers, unions, and employers.
As Minister of Labour, I’ll continue to make sure that workers are secure and protected. We’ve made many legislative and regulatory changes in the past two years that put workers’ safety first. We’re ensuring that the Westray provisions of the Criminal Code are properly understood. Criminal conduct resulting in serious injury or death in the workplace will be penalized. Working with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, we’ve increased education on workplace health and safety for workers and employers.
I’m consulting with workers, unions, and employers about making the protection of workers’ mental health a part of our occupational health and safety rules. I’m also examining the changing nature of work — the trends of automation, gig work, and the right to disconnect.
Let us remember all workers who have lost their lives or felt the impact of unsafe working conditions. We must continue working together towards ensuring workplace health and safety.
