National Open House 2024
Greetings!
Welcome to the Canada Labour Open House 2024! This event brings together the entire Canada Labour Program to connect, share, and discuss key insights on work-related topics. Throughout these sessions, we’ll dive into critical themes like health, safety, and labour standards, spanning our diverse regions—Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Central, and North West Pacific.
Join us as we learn from each other, exchange ideas, and celebrate our collective commitment to enhancing workplaces across the country. Let’s make this a time of inspiration, collaboration, and progress!
Event Program
Dates: October 22nd – 24th, 2024
We have three dynamic afternoons of learning and collaboration at the Canada Labour Program's Open House 2024! This event features a diverse lineup of expert speakers and panel discussions covering critical topics within the Labour Program. From the latest in health and safety regulations to emerging trends in labour standards and innovative practices, each session is designed to inform, inspire, and equip you with valuable insights.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge, connect with colleagues, or explore new perspectives, this event offers something for everyone. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with thought leaders and gain practical takeaways to enhance your workplace with the Canada Labour Program.
Missed a session? No worries! Presentations and recordings will be available for download after each session, so you can catch up at your convenience.
How to Join the Sessions
To participate in a session on any day, simply click on the topic title in the schedule below. You will be redirected to the MS Teams room where the event is taking place. Please ensure you have MS Teams installed and set up on your device before the event begins. You can download it here.
On the Day of the Event:
- Time Zone Awareness: All session times are listed in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Please adjust the schedule according to your local time zone to ensure you don't miss any sessions.
- Technical Requirements:
- MS Teams Installation: Verify that MS Teams is installed and functioning properly on your device.
- Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection to prevent any disruptions during the sessions.
- Audio/Video Setup: Check your microphone and camera settings if you plan to participate actively.
- Before the Session:
- Test Run: We recommend joining a test meeting to familiarize yourself with MS Teams features.
- Early Login: Log in a few minutes before the session starts to troubleshoot any last-minute issues.
- During the Session:
- Mute Your Microphone: Keep your microphone muted unless you are speaking to minimize background noise.
- Engagement: Depending on the presenter, use the chat function or the Q&A function to ask questions or share comments without interrupting the speaker.
- Recording Notice: Be aware that sessions may be recorded for those who cannot attend live.
After the Event:
- Accessing Materials: Presentations and session recordings will be available for download below each session description in the schedule.
- Feedback: We value your input! Please take a moment to fill out the feedback form that will be emailed to you after the event.
Day 1 - Tuesday, October 22, 2024
| Start Time (EDT) | End Time (EDT) | Topic | Presenter(s) | Details | Presentation PDF | Presentation Recording |
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| 12:30 | 2:30 | Land Acknowledgement | Acknowledging the traditional lands on which the event is taking place and recognizing the importance of this practice in fostering respect and reconciliation. | |||
| Minister Opening Remarks | The Honourable Steven MacKinnon | Welcome and opening remarks to set the stage for this event. | ||||
| Keynote Speaker | Guy Freedman | A keynote address focusing on Reconciliation for Federally Regulated Employers, offering insights and inspiration for participants. | ||||
| MS Teams Etiquette and Overview | Richard Fice | A brief but essential tutorial on using MS Teams to ensure participants can navigate the virtual platform effectively throughout the event. | ||||
| Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) – Psychological Safety | Jan Chappel | Presented by CCOHS: A deep dive into psychological safety in the workplace, covering best practices, benefits, and how to cultivate a culture where employees feel safe to speak up and take risks. | ||||
| 2:30 | 2:45 | Break | ||||
| 2:45 | 3:30 | How to Prepare for an Occupational Health and Safety Inspection | Emma Woolridge,
Erin Wilde |
This session will offer guidance on preparing for an Occupational Health and Safety inspection by Labour Program Health and Safety Officers, detailing what employers can anticipate during the process. | 
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| 2:45 | 3:30 | Investigating Hazardous Substances and Exposure Risks in Federally Regulated Workplaces | Adriana Dwyer | An informative session focusing on the employer’s duties to investigate risk of exposure, hazards, and hazardous substances under the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. |
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| 3:30 | 3:45 | Break | ||||
| 3:45 | 4:45 | Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations: Interpretation, Policy and Guidelines | Adriana Dwyer,
Nicole Smith |
A comprehensive guide on interpreting and applying the Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations, including policy development and best practices. |
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Day 2 - Wednesday, October 23, 2024
| Start Time (EDT) | End Time (EDT) | Topic | Presenter(s) | Details | Presentation PDF | Presentation Recording |
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| 12:55 | 2:00 | Assistant Deputy Minister Remarks | Brenda Baxter | Opening remarks and a brief overview of the Labour Program. |
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| Canada Labour Code, Part IV: Administrative Monetary Penalties | Ceayon Johnson,
John Hood |
A detailed presentation on how Administrative Monetary Penalties are applied under the Canada Labour Code, including case examples and compliance strategies. |
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| 2:00 | 2:15 | Break | ||||
| 2:15 | 3:00 | Canada Labour Code, Part II: Overview | Erin Wilde,
Emma Woolridge |
An introductory session covering the basics of occupational health and safety. |
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| 3:00 | 3:15 | Break | ||||
| 3:15 | 3:45 | Canada Labour Code, Part II: Employer’s Annual Reporting Requirements | Megan Eccleston | A comprehensive overview of employer obligations for annual reporting under Part II of the Canada Labour Code, highlighting common pitfalls and compliance tips. |
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| 3:45 | 4:15 | Ask Me Anything: Occupational Health and Safety | Cathy Corbett,
Ashley Keith |
An interactive Q&A session where participants can ask experts about Occupational Health and Safety regulations, compliance, and best practices. |
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Day 3 - Thursday, October 24, 2024
| Start Time (EDT) | End Time (EDT) | Topic | Presenter(s) | Details | Presentation PDF | Presentation Recording |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 | 2:00 | Canada Labour Code, Part III: Worker Misclassification | Bisera Olevska | Overview of worker misclassification issues and how to identify and correct them within your organization. |
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| 2:00 | 2:15 | Break | ||||
| 2:15 | 3:15 | Exploring Different Types of Leave | Michael Dinh, Jhumpa Mohapatra | Detailed discussion on various types of leave available under the Canada Labour Code, including eligibility, benefits, and employer responsibilities. |
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| Canada Labour Code, Part III: Layoffs, Termination Pay, Unjust Dismissal | Sherry Walters, Jessica Moore, Siobhan Hutchison | Understanding the rights and obligations of employers and employees during layoffs, including termination pay and unjust dismissal claims. |
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| 3:15 | 3:30 | Break | ||||
| 3:30 | 4:30 | Canada Labour Code, Part III: Complaints, Deductions, Expenses, and Wage Recovery | Michael McLean, Odeisa Stewart, Devin Schachtel | Step-by-step guidance on handling complaints related to wage deductions, expense claims, and wage recovery under the Canada Labour Code. |
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| 4:30 | 4:45 | Deputy Minister Closing Remarks | Sandra Hassan | Final remarks summarizing the key takeaways from the day and thanking participants for their engagement. |
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