Federal, provincial and territorial labour ministers met in Québec City on Friday and endorsed a plan to harmonize occupational health and safety training across Canada, with a focus on making it easier for construction workers to move between provinces without retraining.
The ministers co-chaired the meeting with Jean Boulet, Québec’s Minister of Labour, and John Zerucelli, federal Secretary of State (Labour). The session centred on two main priorities: improving labour mobility and advancing workplace safety standards.
“The changing world of work means governments have to work together, within their respective jurisdictions, to support workers and help businesses,” Boulet said. “By facilitating labour mobility and maintaining high health and safety standards, we are helping build a stronger economy and more modern workplaces.”
Training timelines set for key construction skills
Ministers approved a workplan with specific deadlines for harmonizing training curriculum across jurisdictions. The plan covers several areas:
- Working at Heights and Mobile Elevating Work Platforms: harmonized training by Jan. 1, 2027
- Hoisting and Rigging and Trenching and Shoring: consultations completed by Jan. 1, 2027
- Entry-level Construction Worker and Construction Supervisor: collaboration on training by May 2027
Each jurisdiction will determine how to put the harmonized curriculum into practice. Officials have also been directed to identify concrete steps toward a cross-jurisdictional training approach by fall 2026.
“Working together has always been our approach,” Zerucelli said. “That well-established collaboration supports our nationwide efforts to transform Canada’s economy. We have all drawn inspiration from those who build. And for them, we are all making sure our labour force is strong, resilient and agile from coast to coast to coast.”
Trucking misclassification and international standards
Ministers directed officials to form a working group to develop a joint plan on worker misclassification in the trucking industry. The group is expected to report back in fall 2026.
On the international front, ministers noted progress toward Canada’s possible ratification of International Labour Organization Convention No. 155, the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981. They also endorsed a renewed federal-provincial-territorial strategy on Canada and the International Labour Organization covering 2026 to 2028. Canada has currently ratified nine of the 10 fundamental ILO conventions.
Next meetings planned
Ministers agreed to meet more frequently to work on eliminating labour mobility barriers. The next gathering is scheduled for fall 2026 in Nova Scotia, with a follow-up in spring 2027 in Saskatchewan.
Representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and the Northwest Territories attended on behalf of their respective ministers.
