The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour, issued the following statement in support of the Canadian workers:
"Canada is facing an unprecedented situation with COVID-19. Canadians are responding and supporting one another through these challenging times. That is what Canadians do. It's our national spirit.
Some of Canada's workers are being asked to step up. Canadians working in trucking, the food supply chain, railways, ports, and airways, along with many other industries, are now needed more than ever before to ensure Canadians have access to food and other essential goods during this very difficult time.
As the Minister of Labour, I want to thank all workers on behalf of Canadians. As we fight COVID-19, your health and safety is top of mind for us just as it is for you. Our government believes that every Canadian has the right to a safe and healthy workplace.
Under our Labour Code, employers have the duty to protect the health and safety of their employees at work. They are required to update or create their own hazard prevention programs, including measures to ensure employees are not exposed to conditions that could be harmful to their health or safety while working. We know that exposure to COVID-19 is a new phenomenon. We also know we must take this matter very seriously. If there is a risk of exposure to COVID-19, employers have an obligation to identify, assess the risk, and implement proper controls through their hazard prevention programs. As well, they must provide the appropriate training.
