Federal, provincial and territorial ministers* responsible for labour gathered today in Québec City in the spirit of collaboration to advance nation-building projects and matters that impact Canadian workers from coast to coast to coast, with a focus on improving labour mobility and workplace safety. Today's meeting was co-chaired by Jean Boulet, Quebec's Minister of Labour, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister responsible for the Maritime Strategy and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, and the Honourable John Zerucelli, federal Secretary of State (Labour).
Ministers discussed progress on a commitment by First Ministers to advance labour mobility by accelerating work to recognize priority health and safety requirements in the construction sector. This will support major infrastructure projects across the country, building a stronger, more prosperous, more resilient Canadian economy.
To make it easier for workers, especially those in construction, to move between jurisdictions without requiring re-training, Ministers endorsed the workplan on harmonizing occupational health and safety training curriculum with accelerated timelines, allowing each jurisdiction to determine how to implement it. Topics include:
- Working at Heights and Mobile Elevating Work Platforms training by January 1, 2027;
- Consulting on training for Hoisting and Rigging and Trenching and Shoring by January 1, 2027; and
- Collaborating on training for Entry-level Construction Worker and Construction Supervisor by May 2027.
Ministers also directed officials to identify tangible steps to advance an interjurisdictional training approach by the fall of 2026. They also agreed to meet more frequently to ensure work continues to eliminate labour mobility barriers. Ministers will meet again in the fall of this year in Nova Scotia and in the spring of 2027 in Saskatchewan to discuss progress made.
In addition, ministers highlighted concrete progress achieved through sustained collaboration in recent years to harmonize occupational health and safety regulatory requirements.
Ministers also tasked officials to form a federal, provincial and territorial working group to develop a joint plan on addressing misclassification in the trucking industry, and to report back on progress in the fall of 2026.
At the international level, ministers noted progress toward Canada's possible ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) C155, the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981. Ministers endorsed the renewed Federal-Provincial-Territorial Strategy for Canada and the ILO for 2026 to 2028.
Finally, ministers concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to continued collaboration to support fair, safe, healthy and inclusive workplaces across Canada.
*Representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and the Northwest Territories participated in the meeting on behalf of their respective ministers.
