Blog Post #1376 – Union Calls for Abuse Law

Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine (June 2016)

Following Manitoba’s recent adoption of legislation allowing paid and unpaid time off work with guaranteed job security for victims of domestic abuse, the New Brunswick Union (NBU) – the association for the province’s civil servants and government employees – is lobbying for the province to enact a similar law.

A union statement, reprinted on the National Union of Public and General Employees’ website on March 29, 2016, states that the province saw about 2,100 police-reported incidents of intimate-partner violence in 2014 – the highest rate in the eastern half of Canada.

“Domestic violence (affects) every aspect of a victim’s life, including their work. We all need to be part of the solution,” NBU president Susie Proulx-Daigle says in a statement.

Ontario is currently considering a similar bill that will allow 10 days of paid leave plus unpaid leave for victims of domestic or sexual violence, according to the NBU.

My opinion

The Ontario government has had violence and harassment regulation since 2010 and they have been updated a few times. All businesses in Ontario have to ensure they create policies and procedures for violence and harassment as well as training of THOSE policies and procedures.

It has always been my hope that all provinces would coordinate their health and safety policies and regulations. When one province develops a worthwhile piece of safety legislation such as one for violence and harassment, one can only hope that all provinces would consider to add it to their regulations. Six years seems a long time to wait for change.

I was going to place a picture as a featured image but I cannot. Domestic violence is a real issue and should not be taken lightly.

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259 We can also be reached at 

Ensure your workplace is a safe place.

Remember – In Canada, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal

CHSEP – Advanced Level
CEO & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.