Manitoba has taken a significant step towards enhancing workplace safety with the introduction of new legislation aimed at reinstating the Advisory Council on Workplace Safety and Health.
Proposed as Bill 17, the legislation seeks to amend the Workplace Safety and Health Act, marking the revival of the council that was abolished in 2018 by the previous administration, according to Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino.
Expressing the government’s commitment to fostering a robust economy through the provision of secure employment opportunities, Minister Marcelino emphasized the fundamental importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of Manitoba’s workforce. She stated, “Every Manitoba worker deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and to have a safe workplace. The previous government clawed back worker protections, going against the advice of the labour and business community by getting rid of the Advisory Council on Workplace Safety and Health.”
Under the proposed legislation, the re-established advisory council would comprise 13 members, encompassing representatives from workers, employers, as well as technical and professional bodies. This council would play a pivotal role in advising the minister on matters pertaining to occupational health and safety, including recommendations on legislative and regulatory changes aimed at enhancing workplace safety standards.