Ontario government establishes Construction Advisory Panel

The Construction Advisory Panel will provide input on issues of interest in the construction sector to the Minister of Labour. Issues could include labour and employment law, the rise of new equipment and technologies, workplace health and safety, and injury prevention. The panel will provide an opportunity for the Minister to hear the different perspectives and concerns from construction industry partners.

“Construction is a vital engine of growth for our economy, creating good quality jobs across our province. That’s why it’s important that we listen to and work closely with our construction partners,” said McNaughton. “This is an opportunity for the construction sector to bring their issues, concerns and changing trends directly to me and our ministry.”

In order to get proper buy-in of both labour and management, it is important that a balance be struck between these groups. For this reason, the panel will be made up of between 8-12 members, with the following composition:

• At least one employee or employer representative from the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) sector.
• At least two employee or employer representatives from the six other sectors of the construction industry.
• At least two employee or employer representatives from industry labour groups/employer groups or associations.

The establishment of an informal, multi-sector committee providing broad advice is part of the government’s strategy to support the construction sector and ensure Ontario is Open for Business. The panel will complement the work of other construction-related initiatives, including the Construction Health and Safety Action Plan Advisory Group, which developed and implemented an action plan on construction health and safety.

For more information
Construction health and safety resources