Speaking Notes
For the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Minister of Labour
and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency
of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
Labour Forum on AIDS
Opening Reception
Hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress
Hart House, University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
17:30 h
August 11, 2006
Good evening.
Thank you Hassan.
And, thank you for inviting me to say a few words.
Welcome to Toronto. And, for those of you visiting from other countries and participating at the Labour Forum on AIDS, welcome to Canada.
I am very happy that you are able to participate in the Labour Forum on AIDS.
Your work over the next two days will have an impact on the rights and health of workers around the world.
I congratulate the Canadian Labour Congress for taking leadership on this important issue.
For many years the CLC has done tremendous work in protecting and promoting the rights of workers — not only unionized workers, but all workers.
That over 40 million people around the world — 58,000 here in Canada -- have HIV and AIDS underscores the urgency of finding strategies that deal with AIDS in the workplace.
Given the tremendous human, social and economic cost of HIV/AIDS, it is imperative we all work together to find ways to deal with this pandemic.
In that context, the workplace is ideal to make a difference and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS because:
It can affect workers' ability to perform
Workplace practices may contribute to its spread
There may be stigmas attached to workers carrying the disease.
Today the CLC released the report, Labour Fights AIDS. And, it makes clear -- workplaces can play a vital role in dealing with these challenges, in educating the workforce in their understanding of the disease and in finding ways of prevention.
The report says that for many, the workplace may be the only place for such efforts and provides great possibilities for peer education and positive peer pressure for behavioural change.
You will soon become very familiar with this report, because it will be at the heart of your discussions during the forum.
The CLC has also produced Internet resources to help unions and their members protect workers' rights and prevent the spread of AIDS in the workplace.
As Canada's Minister of Labour, I wholeheartedly support the CLC for this initiative because Canada takes a collaborative approach in the fight against
HIV\AIDS -- working in partnership with all levels of government, non-governmental organizations and community groups.
And, this is why the Government of Canada through the Labour Program and the Canadian International Development Agency contributed $150,000 to this project that focuses on AIDS in the workplace.
As a Government, we are proud to fund and support your efforts and your dedication to the health and well-being of workers.
At the international level, our objective is to promote good governance, the rule of law, and respect for labour standards and rights.
In addition, we promote partnership, discussion and research on international labour-related issues.
I am especially delighted that in supporting the CLC project, I am taking action on the Joint Statement on Healthy Workplaces that I signed in March along with my fellow Ministers of Labour from across Canada.
The Statement emphasizes the importance and benefits that healthy workplaces bring to Canadian society.
That is why I firmly believe that whether it is combating stress, harassment, racism or AIDS in the workplace, we are more effective when we work together. It is together that we will find solutions to these difficult issues.
A safe and healthy workplace is a productive workplace where workers can achieve their potential in an environment that promotes good mental and physical health.
In closing, I wish you all a productive two days at this CLC sponsored Labour Forum on AIDS. And, for those of you staying on for AIDS 2006, I trust that you will find this event informative and beneficial.
And, I encourage you to take the time to enjoy and experience Toronto - a truly cosmopolitan, vibrant and diverse city.
Thank you.
Labour Forum on AIDS 2006, Toronto
The Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, speaks at the reception held for the Labour Forum on AIDS 2006, in Toronto.
For more information:
Pierre Floréa
Director, Parliamentary Affairs and Communications
Office of Minister Blackburn
(819) 953-5646
Media Relations
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
