Occupational training

Occupational health and safety is a huge industry in Ontario. Many private sector companies, non-profit organizations and the Ministry of Labour as well as the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), provide health and safety training. In particular, non-profit organizations provide such training to employers and employees. Some complainants report that certain organizations no longer have Francophone instructors for their health and safety training.

The Ministry of Labour and the WSIB clearly have obligations under the French Language Services Act, but non-profit organizations are not subject to it, or to Regulation 284/11, according to the Ministry. The Commissioner’s Office recognizes that the Ministry is aware of its responsibilities under the Act. But when it comes to non-profit organizations, it maintains that it is important for Francophones to be entitled to the same resources and training as Anglophones. However, the Commissioner’s Office does not agree with the Ministry’s analysis or its narrow interpretation of its obligations. The Commissioner’s Office would therefore like to discuss this matter with the Ministry and does not rule out an official investigation on the subject.