News Release Archive
LABOUR--ATLANTIC LABOUR MINISTERS MEET IN HALIFAX ------------------------------------------------------------ Labour Ministers from the four Atlantic Provinces gathered in Halifax today for a one-day meeting to discuss labour, workers' compensation and other employment-related issues impacting Atlantic Canadians. The attending ministers are: Guy Brown, Minister of Labour for Nova Scotia; Alan Buchanan, Minister of Provincial Affairs and Attorney General for Prince Edward Island; Roly MacIntyre, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour for New Brunswick; and Tom Murphy, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations for Newfoundland and Labrador. The meeting was initiated by Mr. Brown. "This is the first meeting of the Atlantic ministers of labour in recent history," said Mr. Brown. "Keeping the lines of communication open and discussing common areas of concern are essential." The meeting gave the ministers the opportunity to get acquainted with each other and the issues they are facing in their respective provinces. "It is important that we sit down around the same table," said PEI Minister Alan Buchanan. "It holds benefits for the work we are doing inside our provinces, as well as within Atlantic Canada." The agenda covered a variety of labour and employment-related topics such as minimum wage rates and labour-management relations. Sharing resources on mutually beneficial research initiatives was also discussed. Ministers were updated on the progress in achieving greater consistency in occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation, regulations and training among the four provinces. An inter-jurisdictional committee on OHS harmonization is working to share health and safety information, resources and consultation on an Atlantic level. "The challenges we are facing in my province are similar to those in the other three Atlantic Provinces," said New Brunswick Minister Roly MacIntyre. "It is important to get together and look at cooperative approaches, where and when it makes sense." Key concerns from employee and employer viewpoints were presented by Rick Clarke, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, and Peter O'Brien of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. "I think we have come away from this meeting with a stronger appreciation of the issues we are facing in Atlantic Canada," said Tom Murphy, Minister from Newfoundland and Labrador. "The groundwork we have laid will be beneficial for the future." Mr. Murphy invited the ministers to continue this initiative by coming to Newfoundland and Labrador for a future meeting. -30- Contact: Jennifer MacIsaac 902-424-3219 or 902-424-4680 trp Nov. 17, 1995