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Peter: Minister McNaughton:
Over the summer, a summer-long workplace inspection blitz was I’m sure you’re aware of the five Community Benefits pilot projects
launched to enhance new and young worker safety. New and young that were announced in April 2018. These pilot projects provide an
workers are disproportionately affected by workplace injury and opportunity to test out different approaches to implementing
death. From the blitz, can you share with our readers what you community benefits. We’re still waiting to access the impact of all
learned and what changes, if any, the Government will be making of these projects.
to ensure young worker safety?
I know the Ministry of Infrastructure is encouraging project sponsors
Minister McNaughton: to work with partners to undertake community benefits initiatives
When I first became Minister of Labour, I was surprised to find out where they think it makes sense.
that between 2014 and 2018, 24 young workers in Ontario lost
Peter:
their lives on the job. That number makes me very, very angry. As
There have been numerous reports on the projected shortage of
a father, it makes me sad.
skilled trades workers in Ontario. Having worked in this industry for
Every parent in this province deserves to know that their child will many years, we don’t think there’s a skill shortage. We think the
come home after a good day of work. real issue is a decent living wage. The cyclical nature of construction
requires workers to travel away from home to where the jobs are
As you said, experience shows that new workers of any age are
happening for a short period of time. What are your thoughts on a
three times more likely to be injured in a workplace accident during
living wage and, more specifically, how we are going to get a
their first month on the job. The goal of these blitzes is two-fold:
workforce to fill jobs in Ontario where there are no
• One, to ensure that workplaces are compliant. By having travel/accommodation allowances; specifically, in the GTA where
inspections during the summer, we can be looking at workplaces housing and rental costs are so high?
at a time when students and young people are generally
Minister McNaughton:
employed.
My next-door neighbour and very good friend in Mt. Brydges, Bill, is
• Two, to increase awareness. As I keep coming back to, health an Industrial Insulator. He’s been doing it for 37 years. Every
and safety is crucially important to all workers in Ontario. By Sunday morning Bill is up at 4:30am, driving off to a job site in
conducting a blitz, we have an opportunity to shine the light and Toronto for the week. So, this is something I heard a lot about
get people talking about safety at work. before I ever became Minister of Labour. Creating good quality jobs
is a priority for our government. And I’m proud to say we’re on the
Peter:
right track. Ontario has created 150,000 jobs since our government
Community Benefit Agreements have proven to be a successful
came to office.
model to benefit local people – to build local labour supply,
contractor and skill capacity, whilst delivering training and jobs to According to the Ontario Employment Report that came out in July,
underrepresented groups. This in turn, demonstrates to investors wage rates have increased, on average, 3% over the last year.
that if they want to come here and set up shop or build something That’s higher than the rate of inflation. Our minimum wage is the
– we’re ready! This message also ripples globally – that we are open second-highest in Canada and is now tied to inflation, like in many
for business and we have the capacity to compete on the global other jurisdictions, as it allows for stability for both workers and
stage. Will this government be utilizing CBA’s with new businesses.
infrastructure projects?

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