Caroline Plante
The Canadian Press
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The Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet, had sought the opinion of the CCTM following a series of reports, according to which more and more children aged 11 to 14 were entering the labor market.
This new phenomenon, linked to the labor shortage, “brings its share of concerns and thoughts,” concedes the CCTM, which brings together the main labor and employer organizations in Quebec.
“Organizations […] wish to ensure that the work of children and young people in no way compromises their education or harms their health or their physical or moral development.
“Current concerns about child and youth labor are real and they require a broad and holistic reflection for all workplaces,” we write.
In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Mr. Boulet declared that child labor must be seen as something “exceptional”. He accepts the recommendation of the CCTM to review the existing legislation.
“I asked my ministry team to take stock of all the provisions […] relating to child labour. Afterwards, I will make a comparison with the legislation in other provinces.
“We are going to do an impact analysis, then we are going to determine whether or not we need to perfect our articles of law,” said the minister, who does not give himself a precise timetable.
Quebec does not impose a minimum age to work, unlike other provinces. In British Columbia, for example, the minimum age was recently raised from 12 to 16, with some exceptions.
Not too “parametric”
But be careful, says Jean Boulet. This does not mean that Quebec is a dunce in Canada; several “scattered” articles in Quebec laws already govern child labour.
He recalls that a person under the age of 14 must have the consent of his parents, and that a young person aged 16 or less who has not obtained a diploma cannot work during school hours.
“There is also a rule […] which provides that you must be at least 16 years old to drive a forklift; at least 18 years old to do blasting work; […] to go underground is at least 18 years old, ”he lists.
“Child labor is fairly regulated in Quebec. Anything that is dangerous, anything that is risky, is not allowed. […] We still have a protective net which is interesting, ”he added.
The minister argues for some flexibility. “Some people say to me: ‘My child is 12 […] and he is ready to do […] 20-25 hours”. You shouldn’t take an overly parametric approach either. You have to adapt. »
However, Mr. Boulet encourages anyone who witnesses mistreatment to file a complaint with the CNESST. He says he wants to “hit on the head” employers at fault. “We will make sure they pay the fines,” he promises.
On June 3, the Legault government refused to debate a motion presented by the PQ MP for Jonquière, Sylvain Gaudreault, concerning child labor.
Mr. Gaudreault asked that the National Assembly “note the increase in the number of work accidents involving them” and that it “ask the government to act to prevent child labor”.
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Caroline Plante
The Canadian Press
–
The Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet, had sought the opinion of the CCTM following a series of reports, according to which more and more children aged 11 to 14 were entering the labor market.
This new phenomenon, linked to the labor shortage, “brings its share of concerns and thoughts,” concedes the CCTM, which brings together the main labor and employer organizations in Quebec.
“Organizations […] wish to ensure that the work of children and young people in no way compromises their education or harms their health or their physical or moral development.
“Current concerns about child and youth labor are real and they require a broad and holistic reflection for all workplaces,” we write.
In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Mr. Boulet declared that child labor must be seen as something “exceptional”. He accepts the recommendation of the CCTM to review the existing legislation.
“I asked my ministry team to take stock of all the provisions […] relating to child labour. Afterwards, I will make a comparison with the legislation in other provinces.
“We are going to do an impact analysis, then we are going to determine whether or not we need to perfect our articles of law,” said the minister, who does not give himself a precise timetable.
Quebec does not impose a minimum age to work, unlike other provinces. In British Columbia, for example, the minimum age was recently raised from 12 to 16, with some exceptions.
Not too “parametric”
But be careful, says Jean Boulet. This does not mean that Quebec is a dunce in Canada; several “scattered” articles in Quebec laws already govern child labour.
He recalls that a person under the age of 14 must have the consent of his parents, and that a young person aged 16 or less who has not obtained a diploma cannot work during school hours.
“There is also a rule […] which provides that you must be at least 16 years old to drive a forklift; at least 18 years old to do blasting work; […] to go underground is at least 18 years old, ”he lists.
“Child labor is fairly regulated in Quebec. Anything that is dangerous, anything that is risky, is not allowed. […] We still have a protective net which is interesting, ”he added.
The minister argues for some flexibility. “Some people say to me: ‘My child is 12 […] and he is ready to do […] 20-25 hours”. You shouldn’t take an overly parametric approach either. You have to adapt. »
However, Mr. Boulet encourages anyone who witnesses mistreatment to file a complaint with the CNESST. He says he wants to “hit on the head” employers at fault. “We will make sure they pay the fines,” he promises.
On June 3, the Legault government refused to debate a motion presented by the PQ MP for Jonquière, Sylvain Gaudreault, concerning child labor.
Mr. Gaudreault asked that the National Assembly “note the increase in the number of work accidents involving them” and that it “ask the government to act to prevent child labor”.
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