Question Period Note: NEW FUNDING FOR THE CANADIAN CENTRE FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

On September 10, 2020, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour, announced new funding of $2.5 million over two years for the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) to create more sector-specific guidance and new e-learning tools to help Canadian workplaces operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is a recognized leader in providing effective programs, products and services, on occupational health and safety.
• Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, CCOHS has published health and safety tip sheets on its website, made e-learning courses available free of charge and provided an online space, Pandemic Info Share, where businesses can share resources and advice.
• This new funding enables CCOHS to continue and expand this important work - including creating more sector-specific guidance and new e-learning tools that will help Canadian workplaces operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• This funding is part of a coordinated response by federal, provincial and territorial governments, public health authorities and CCOHS to the COVID-19 pandemic. These entities are making sure that businesses have all the necessary tools and resources to protect workers’ health and safety during and beyond COVID-19.

• The CCOHS is a federal government agency that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Labour and that is governed by a tripartite Council of Governors that has 22 seats representing three key stakeholder groups: governments (federal, provincial and territorial), employers and workers. Since its establishment in 1978, the CCOHS has developed a national and international reputation for excellence as an authoritative source of neutral, expert information on all aspects of health and safety in the workplace.
• The CCOHS is responsible for giving occupational health and safety information by providing training, education, management systems and solutions that support health, safety and wellness programs. Specifically, the CCOHS:
o facilitates consultation and cooperation among federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions, with the participation of labour and management representatives;
o assists in the development and maintenance of policies and programs; and,
o serves as a national centre for information relating to occupational health and safety.
• One of the CCOHS's most important roles is the publication of educational materials, best practices and recommendations to assist workplace parties to meet their occupational health and safety obligations under provincial and federal legislation, like the Canada Labour Code.
• CCOHS currently has approximately 40 tip sheets on-line including:
• Tip Sheets for all Workplaces
o Get the Facts on Masks
o Respirator, Surgical Masks, and Non-Medical Masks
o COVID-19 Screening Tool
o Preventing Stigma
o Reopening for Business
o Standard Operating Procedure: Disinfection of Touch Points
• Posters, Infographics and Publications
o Prevent the Spread of Infections
o Take the Time to Wash Your Hands
o Prevent the Spread Infographic
o Emergency Response Planning Guide
o Flu and Infectious Disease Outbreaks Business Continuity Plan
• Workplace Specific Tip Sheets
o Agriculture
o Airline and Ground Crews
o Construction
o Community Centres
o Correctional Facilities
o Court Operations (a series of 7 documents)
o Daycares
o Education Providers: Grades K-12
o Emergency and Patient Intake
o First Responders
o Food Processing
o Health Clinics
o Home Delivery and Couriers
o Long Term Care
o Manufacturing
o Mining
o Personal Services (salons, spas, barbers etc.)
o Places of Worship
o Public Transportation
o Restaurants and Food Services
o Retail
o Transportation
• They also have several more in development, including an agricultural sector update, worker reintegration, Gyms and Fitness Clubs, Patios, Camping, Live Performances, Homeless Service Providers and a build your own COVID-19 Toolkit.

• The CCOHS is a federal government agency. Its mandate is to promote workplace health and safety, and to encourage attitudes and methods that will lead to improved physical and mental health for Canadian workers.
• The CCOHS reports to Parliament through the Minister of Labour.
• The CCOHS is governed by a tripartite Council, representing government, employers and labour.
• The CCOHS has produced several types of resources for workplace parties in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic:
o workplace pandemic information;
o tip sheets for various essential Canadian sectors;
o a workplace risk assessment framework; and,
o a pandemic information sharing portal.
• The CCOHS’ budget for 2018 to 2019 consisted of a total expenditure of $11.6 million, which includes a federal parliamentary funding level of $4.8 million, and a revenue level of $6.8 million, including provincial and territorial contributions.
• The CCOHS workforce is approximately 90 employees.