OTTAWA, ONTARIO, September 27th, 2006 -The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, welcomes the visit of Mr. Osvaldo Andrade, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Republic of Chile and his delegation to Canada on September 28th. The Ministers will meet for the Fifth Ministerial Council Meeting under the Canada-Chile Agreement on Labour Cooperation (CCALC).
"The Canada-Chile Agreement on Labour Cooperation has fostered an open dialogue on a wide range of bilateral labour-related issues such as mediation and conciliation, women and work and occupational health and safety. I look forward to discussing workplace issues of this type with my Chilean counterpart," said Minister Blackburn.
Canada negotiates agreements on labour in tandem with trade agreements. The Canada-Chile Agreement on Labour Cooperation (CCALC), is closely modelled after the 1993 landmark North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation (NAALC) between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Next year marks the 10th anniversary of the Canada-Chile Agreement on Labour Cooperation. "I am especially pleased by the progress made by both countries under the Agreement and I am looking forward to our continued work together," concluded Minister Blackburn.
An important part of the international mandate of the Labour Program of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) is to pursue labour cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding with countries to promote labour rights and labour law enforcement, and increase cooperation on labour issues.
The Labour Program of HRSDC is dedicated to working with workers and employers to support fair, safe, healthy, stable, cooperative and productive workplaces.
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For further information (media only):Pierre Floréa Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec819-953-5646
Media Relations OfficeHuman Resources and Social Development Canada 819-994-5559
