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The experiences gathered through negotiating diversity and Darin King:
inclusion benefits on previous projects, combined with programs There is concern, with the wave of Conservative Governments
and services to support female apprentices provides an elected at the provincial level, that some are talking about right-
opportunity for creating a best practice expert group. to-work-style legislation. What is your government’s position on
this and how important are stable labour relations to the NL
Darin King:
economy?
In December of last year, the Federal Government banned the
import and use of asbestos, which was an important step forward. Dwight Ball:
Now, we are dealing with the legacy of asbestos and are pushing Right to work laws are not being contemplated in Newfoundland
for a comprehensive strategy to deal with this problem. What is and Labrador at this time. Our government respects the work of
your government’s thoughts on creating a registry of buildings that
its employees and front line workers. We have not cut jobs and
contain asbestos and developing a more comprehensive strategy
have been able to maintain public service. We worked closely with
around the legacy of asbestos?
unions to reach collective agreements with approximately 30,000
Dwight Ball: public service employees in the face of an unprecedented financial
The Provincial Government is not currently contemplating a registry situation. We have also negotiated the elimination of severance,
of buildings that contain asbestos, however we are always open saving millions of dollars annually, while creating much needed-job
to working with stakeholders to build safe and sustainable security, which promotes economic stability for local businesses
communities. and the people of this province.

Occupational disease prevention is one of the priorities in the joint Darin King:
five-year workplace injury prevention strategy between Community Benefit Agreements have been used successfully on
WorkplaceNL and Service NL. In 2019, WorkplaceNL held 27 publicly-funded projects across the country – to build up local
consultations and presentations with high-risk employers, focusing labour, contractor and supply capacity, as well as to ensure that
on workplaces with a higher risk of exposure to ammonia, silica, underrepresented groups have access to training and good jobs.
noise or asbestos as well as other hazards that may cause What is your position on CBAs and can we expect them to be
respiratory issues. implemented in any upcoming projects?
Buildings and homes constructed prior to the 1980’s have the Dwight Ball:
reasonable potential for asbestos to have been used in
Multiple departments within the Government of Newfoundland and
construction. Asbestos was also used prevalently in floor tiles and
Labrador work together to develop Benefits Plan for all large-scale
insulation up until the 1990’s and was not fully banned in Canada
projects, focusing on hiring requirements for apprentices and
until last year. Through the Department of Transportation and
journeypersons as well as underrepresented groups.
Works, the Provincial Government has asbestos management
plans for government buildings. Benefits agreements generally include provisions to ensure
Newfoundland and Labrador apprentices and journeypersons first
The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment provides a
opportunities and first consideration for employment, and to
guidance document which set out the precautionary measures that
ensure provisions for training.
must be taken for asbestos removal and disposal. In addition to
providing this guidance document, department officials offer Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to
advice and information regarding asbestos removal upon request. reviewing best practices related to Community Benefits
Service NL conducts follow-up inspections to ensure the proper Agreements and will engage employer organizations like Canada’s
guidelines for asbestos disposal have been followed, once a Building Trade’s Unions and Trades NL should a Community
Certificate for Disposal has been issued by the Department of
Benefits Agreement policy be developed.
Municipal Affairs and Environment.
Darin King:
The primary goal of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
Construction is cyclical, and our members often times have to
Division of Service NL is accident and illness prevention. OHS
travel to where the jobs are. For Newfoundlanders and
recognizes that all workers have a fundamental right to a
Labradorians, like others, this could take them to Alberta or
workplace that neither impairs their health nor imperils their safety.
elsewhere. Other professions are permitted travel and
This is achieved by working with stakeholders to establish,
accommodation incentives and tax credits when they travel for
promote and enforce workplace practices, standards and
work. The skilled trades are not. What are your thoughts on
procedures. In terms of asbestos, there are applicable sections
offering tax credits or incentives around worker mobility to address
in the Occupational Health and Safety legislation, along with
geographical labour shortages that are arising in the country?
Regulations related to abatement (Asbestos Abatement
Dwight Ball:
Regulations, 1998 -
https://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/regulations/rc9801 That is certainly something we can consider. This is a tax policy
11.htm and Asbestos Exposure Code Regulations - consideration and as such we will need officials in the Department
https://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/regulations/rc9611 of Finance to review it.
44.htm). OHS also requires notification on abatement projects in
As you mention, there are many citizens of our province working
the province, and has information and a list of registered
in Alberta or elsewhere, so this is definitely something we should
asbestos abatement contractors on the website
review. We have a track record of making tax changes that are
(https://www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/ohs/safety_info/index.html).
supportive of business and industry. For instance, in Budget 2018,
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