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And they said, "Absolutely." So I think it's great when different
levels of government can work together. And I always say, "I'll work
with any government." I don't care what political stripe they're from.
Peter:
Premier Ford, thank you for your time. But I have to ask a question
that is on the mind of a lot of Ontarians. Your position as Premier
is considered the most important position in the country, only
behind that of the Prime Minister. What, if any aspirations do you
have with regard to federal politics in the future that you wouldn't
mind sharing with your readers, if there are any?
Premier Ford:
Well we have a big job at the provice to take care of, and for 15 Premier Ford:
years they financially destroyed this province and we have a big job The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is there to help
turning it around. So I'm going to focus on the province first. Get businesses and employees after a workplace injury or illness. After
that taken care of. And then I always say, "Never say never." a workplace injury or illness, the WSIB works with workplace parties
to build a customized return-to-work plan.
Peter:
As you know, construction can be a dangerous business. The WSIB has developed policies that set out obligations to co-
Tremendous progress has been made on prevention of injuries and operate in the work reintegration process, and when relevant, an
illnesses, such as the successful campaign by MOL around fall employer’s obligation to re-employ an injured worker. They also
hazards. But more progress needs to be made. Would you and your provide education and support to support the workplace parties’
government be willing to work with us around prevention initiatives? efforts and ensure compliance of their obligations. In Ontario 9 out
of 10 people injured on the job return to work within 12 months.
Premier Ford:
I want to reassure you that I take your concerns seriously and would If the construction sector is continuing to experience challenges
welcome your input to strengthen prevention initiatives. with the return to work process, we can certainly look for further
opportunities to support the early and successful return to work of
The WAH training standards, which set the required training program
construction workers.
content and delivery standards, specify that the Chief Prevention
Officer (CPO) will review the standards every 5 years. April 1st, Peter:
2020 marks the five-year anniversary of the implementation of the There are so many opportunities for win/win solutions for
WAH standards and we will be looking to conduct a review of those construction employers, unions and the people of Ontario if we
standards at that time. cooperate in areas like prevention and return to work. As you know,
there are other issues where we are currently at odds with your
The Construction Health and Safety Action Plan highlights the key
government. Would you be willing to sit down with us and look at
role that partnerships play in developing a more knowledgeable and
the areas where we can cooperate and focus on those?
skilled construction sector; this includes:
Premier Ford:
• Partnering to promote hazard awareness and increase safety
If the construction sector has other concerns and would like to meet
knowledge in the sector; and
to discuss them further, my office and Minister Monte McNaughton
• Leveraging partnerships to facilitate the dissemination of health will always have an open-door policy. Our Government will continue
and safety resources to construction workers and workplaces. to consult thoughtfully and meaningfully with our municipal partners
and stakeholders across all sectors.
Furthermore, since 2018, the Ministry has held two Falls
Awareness Weeks (FAW) to highlight fall hazards in workplaces Peter:
across Ontario. A key focus has been expanding partnerships with We pride ourselves on the skillsets and training we offer. The Ontario
our health and safety system partners and beyond to increase Government has introduced a new framework that will change how
awareness of fall hazards in the workplace. There are opportunities compulsory trades are regulated. This new regulatory framework
to collaborate on the 2020 FAW awareness campaign, and input introduces a skill set model that would allow anyone to do certain
can be provided through existing advisory tables or directly to the elements of work that are currently within the scope of a restricted
Ministry. (compulsory) trade. How will you ensure safety is kept as the utmost
priority, especially amongst workers who won’t receive the same
Peter:
training and education as our members currently get?
In spite of best efforts by construction employers and unions, a
significant number of our members do get injured every year. For Premier Ford:
some of them, return to work is very challenging. We believe that Worker health and safety will always remain our top priority. The
more can be done. Would you be willing to work with us and Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires that an
construction employers on improving the return to work of employer provide information, instruction and supervision to a
construction workers after injuries? worker to protect their health and safety.

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