Changes to Canada internship rules now in effect
The government of Nunavut is holding public consultations on the Apprenticeship Act this month, with discussions that focus on preparing and supporting residents for success by enhancing the quality and delivery of apprenticeship programs.
Consultations are scheduled on Sept. 15, 2020, at 7 p.m. at the Frobisher Inn, Koojesse (South), in Iqaluit, and on Sept. 30, 2020, at 7 p.m. at the community hall, John Ollie Complex in Arviat.
Nunavummiut can go to https://www.gov.nu.ca/family-services/apprenticeship-act-review to provide comments, receive additional information regarding the consultations and browse points of discussion and community schedules.
Previously, public consultations took place in Pangnirtung and Cambridge Bay in late 2019 and Baker Lake, Clyde River and Rankin Inlet in early 2020.
Internship rules
Students undertaking a work-integrated learning placement with an employer to fulfill the requirements of an educational program may be unpaid, but will be entitled to certain labour standards protections. This applies to students registered in secondary, post-secondary and vocational educational institutions, or their equivalent outside Canada.
All other individuals undertaking placements with employers to obtain knowledge or experience will be treated as employees and will therefore be covered by all labour standards protections, including the right to be paid at least the minimum wage.
In July, the federal government announced new Standards for Work-Integrated Learning Activities Regulations, establishing the following:
- the educational institutions at which the student can be fulfilling the requirements of an educational program through an internship
- the documentation required to support a student placement that can be unpaid
- the labour standards protections for students in work-integrated learning
- related administrative requirements
The Women in Occupational Health and Safety Society (WOHSS) and eCompliance hosted a webinar last week on August 27, featuring speaker Stacey Silva – Enterprise Customer Success Coach at eCompliance. The webinar was focused on safety culture, and how safety leaders can create and reinforce safety culture within their organization.
In March, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) announced it will sponsor a contest to sensitize the youth on the importance of workplace safety.
