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Mr. Speaker, workers’ rights are a cornerstone of safe and healthy workplaces. Across Canada, workers have three fundamental rights: the right to know how to do their job safely, the right to participate in making their workplace safer, and, of course, the right to refuse any work that feels unsafe.

These rights are important because they empower workers to speak up, ask questions, and take an active role in preventing injuries and illnesses. Strong workplace safety depends on employers and workers working together to normalize daily conversations about safety, identify hazards, share concerns, and build a culture where everybody understands their role in creating safer workplaces.

From May 4 to 9th , Safety and Health Week  provided an important opportunity to raise awareness about injury prevention and the responsibility we all share for workplace safety.

As part of this effort, WSCC’s “Work safely. It’s Everybody’s Job!” campaign helped bring the message of workers’ rights to communities across the North. The campaign features materials created by northern artists that depict recognizable northern workplace scenarios and how these rights are put into practice. Campaign materials are available in the 11 official languages of the Northwest Territories.

More than  500 employers received digital or printed resources to support discussions and awareness activities related to workplace safety and health.

While Safety and Health Week provides an important focal point, the conversation about workers’ rights continues throughout the year.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.