Minister Ambrose visited Eurocopter in Fort Erie as part of a trip across the country to highlight the importance of health and safety

Speaking notes
for
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Labour
Ministerial Tour
Visit to Eurocopter
Fort Erie, Ontario
April 6, 2009

Check against delivery

Thank you, everyone and thank you, Mrs. Veve for the introduction.

I am very pleased to be here in Fort Erie and meet with you all at Eurocopter.

As Minister of Labour, I have a very important message to share with you today about the economic gains of having a safe, secure workplace. These are benefits that matter to workers and business owners just like you, right across this country of ours.

My address here today is one of several I am delivering on a national speaking tour—listening to workers and business groups across the land, and sharing with them the importance of getting things right in the Canadian workplace. This, of course, hinges on taking action on our economy.

We’re living in times of extraordinary challenge and uncertainty. In response, Canada’s Economic Action Plan shows that our government is determined to do what it takes to help Canadians weather this economic storm. In fact, Canada’s Economic Action Plan will, with the help of provincial partners, inject $52 billion – roughly 3.2% of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product – into the economy over two years. 

We will get through this together. That will happen not only through stimulus or by working hard, but also by focusing on the economic foundation that makes this such a great country in which to live and prosper.

That economic foundation includes the workplace—where Canadian creativity and innovation thrives. We need to ensure that it remains a safe, secure place to do business. It is the right thing to do, yes, but we must also consider what we risk by not acting.

Workplace injuries lead to loss of expertise possessed by the injured workers, additional training for those replacing the injured workers, medical expenses and compensation payments—these are all significant costs that add to operating the business. They suppress workplace productivity, impose financial burden on businesses, and place our country at an economic disadvantage. But most of all, workplace injuries compromise the quality of life of those Canadians adversely affected and their families.  But that doesn’t have to happen.

This is why finding ways to prevent injury and illness in the workplace is an integral part of keeping Canada’s labour force strong, healthy and competitive. With this in mind, I would like to take a few minutes to share with you details of what our government is doing to ensure a safe, secure workplace.

The Government of Canada, through my portfolio, has developed regulations and legislation in collaboration with employer and employee communities to keep pace with the rapid changes and emerging issues we are all seeing in our workplaces.

This collaboration is continued to develop practical guides and tools that can be used by workplaces to comply with the regulations, thereby preventing work-related injuries and diseases. Moreover, we’re ensuring that ownership for health and safety rests where it belongs—with the workplace parties.

There are three areas of activity that I would like to draw to your attention—each shows how real, meaningful gains can take root via federal leadership and partnership with stakeholders.

1. Violence in the workplace

The first area of action is one that, quite frankly, has been overlooked for too long—and that’s violence in the workplace. Our government is taking a leadership role here because we recognize that steps to reduce violence in this domain are elemental to sustaining a safe workplace where people can thrive.

First, we need to face the facts. Violence in the workplace is a serious problem that should be a concern to everyone.

Research conducted by the Compensation Boards of Canada tells us that between 2003 and 2007, there were on average 5,500 lost-time injuries and nine fatalities annually in Canada—all resulting from violence in the workplace.

Let’s think about that for a moment. Each one of those numbers represents a person like anyone here in this room today.

We each deserve more than measures that simply respond after-the-fact. That’s why federal regulations require employers under federal jurisdiction to take well-defined steps to prevent workplace violence from ever happening in the first place. We have developed guidance materials in consultation with stakeholders for the development and implementation of an effective program for the prevention of workplace violence.

2. Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the second area where we are taking action to ensure a safe, secure workplace. Ask any business and they will tell you that people are their number-one resource. So let’s make sure that their workplace is a healthy one.

Let’s consider the facts. Of cases accepted for compensation by workers’ compensation boards in Canada, ergonomic-related injuries account for approximately one-third of all lost-time injuries. That means there are some 90,000 injuries of this nature in Canada every year.

Federal action emphasizes that we pay careful attention to the hazards related to poor ergonomics in the workplace that can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, and implement preventive measures. When such injuries occur, federally-regulated employers are required to investigate, identify causes and prevent them from recurring.

In collaboration with the workplace parties, we have published education and guidance materials to assist workplaces to develop and implement effective musculoskeletal injury prevention programs customized to suit the specific needs of their workplace.

There are other economic gains to consider. A recent study found that when equipped with a workplace with good ergonomics, workers’ productivity increased by more than seventeen percent. That translates into more resources that can be invested into more jobs and better opportunities for our economy.

3. Racism in the workplace

The last of the three activity areas I’m going to talk about today is the Labour Program’s Racism-Free Workplace Strategy.

This consists of a series of measures to remove discriminatory barriers and to advance the upward mobility of visible minorities and Aboriginal peoples in the workplace through education and information.

We are providing employers with tools and establishing collaborative partnerships between community groups and employers through targeted events such as job fairs. We are also fostering public recognition of the principles and objectives of employment equity. We have delivered awareness sessions to recognize and address barriers in the workplace.

We distribute useful tools and resources for employers such as tip sheets on cultural self-assessment in order to encourage best practices. We are highlighting concrete measures implemented by successful employers for example, scholarships and mentorship programs for aboriginal students adopted by some banks.

This is an important element of ensuring a safe, secure workplace. People can really thrive when they know they can count on having workplaces that are safe, healthy, free of racism and of other barriers to personal achievement.

Also, in an increasingly knowledge-based and human resource-focused economy, the supply of skilled workers is one of the most critical factors for Canada’s productivity.  In challenging economic times, it is critical to utilize the talents and skills of all Canadians to the fullest.

In conclusion, I have highlighted for you today key areas where I am directing my portfolio to ensure fair, secure workplaces. Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government is committed to ensuring that our country emerges from the current global economic turbulence, stronger than ever. At the same time, we are also committed to ensuring that Canada’s workplaces are safe, healthy and productive places for Canadians to work and for businesses to thrive.

And we are getting things done. 

We’re investing in Canada’s people advantage. Workers and business owners alike can count on having the tools and resources they need to help our country weather these challenging times and equip ourselves for prosperity in the years ahead.

Now, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Mrs. Veve and all employees at Eurocopter, for your ongoing collaboration with the Labour Program over the years.

The Federal government is committed to health and safety in the workplace, and pleased to recognize organizations such as Eurocopter.

Through your different workplace initiatives, such as the implementation of safety and accident prevention strategies, you have demonstrated great leadership and commitment to health and safety matters.

Eurocopter Canada is an outstanding example of a company that has been proactive in going beyond legislative requirements to become a leader in its sector.

Eurocopter should be commended for demonstrating leadership by innovating and continuously upgrading your fleet without sacrificing your commitment towards a safe working environment.

Again, thank you, for your great efforts in building a safe healthy and inclusive workplace.

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Date Modified:
2009-04-06