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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, February 19, 2015 | 10 Consultation begins on updating Ontario labour laws by Michael Gregory Oakville Beaver Staff The Province of Ontario is looking to have its labour laws catch up to workforce trends. To that end, the provincial government has appointed two special advisors to oversee a public consultation on modern workplace trends and report back with recommendations that could see amendments to labour and employment laws in Ontario. "Our government agrees with business and workers, who want our laws to recognize the realities of the modern economy," said Ontario Halton.ca 311 PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE Water and Wastewater Main Installation along Sixth Line from Sixteen Mile Drive to Burnhamthorpe Road, Town of Oakville PR-2782B & PR-3016 Halton Region is planning to install a water and wastewater main along Sixth Line from Sixteen Mile Drive to Burnhamthorpe Road beginning June 2015. A Public Information Centre is being held for residents who want to learn more about the construction project. Please drop in at any time. Halton staff will be available to answer your questions. Date: Time: Place: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. River Oaks Community Centre, Room C, 2400 Sixth Line, Town of Oakville If you have any accessibility issues, require special accommodation, or are unable to attend this Public Information Centre and would like to learn more about the project, please contact: Melvin Gonzalez Project Manager Public Works 905-825-6000, ext. 3285 melvin.gonzalez@halton.ca Labour Minister and Oakville said it welcomed the upcoming MPP Kevin Flynn Tuesday. public talks. C. Michael Mitchell, a "Work has changed and the former senior partner at Sack laws protecting workers must Goldblatt Mitchell LLP , and change," said Katha Fortier, former Ontario Superior Court Unifor's Ontario regional director. Justice John C. Murray will lead "Jobs and the labour market the consultations on potential in Ontario look very different changes to the Labour Relations than in previous decades, but Act and Employment Standards our current labour law does not Act. reflect those changes." "The special advisors will A Good Jobs Summit hosted engage with Ontarians so we can in Toronto by Unifor last October ensure our workplace laws strike brought together stakeholders the right balance in the new from government, business, world of work," Flynn said. community and labour to discuss Ontario Minister of Labour the labour market. Flynn told the Oakville Beaver in November the review, promised According to the provincial Kevin Flynn by Premier Kathleen Wynne in government, part-time, temporary the 2014 throne speech, was a priority for his or self-employed positions have doubled ministry. compared to full-time standard positions since "It's a great time to be in labour," Flynn said 1997. "It is important our labour and employment at the time. "I think, in the fullness of time, this is going to be one of those periods where we laws reflect the new realities of the job market make some important decisions that are going and the workplace," says Fortier. "Modernizing Ontario's labour and employment laws is one part to dictate the future of the province." The consultation will focus on workplace of the solution; collective bargaining is also an trends in five areas: the "increase" in temporary essential part of a well-functioning labour market, jobs, part-time work and self-employment; as it helps to ensure jobs become `good jobs'." The public consultations are set to begin the rise of the service sector; globalization and trade liberalization; technological change; and in the spring and include consultations at the Regional level, meetings with stakeholders and workplace diversity. Canada's largest private sector union, Unifor, a call for submissions from the public. A fusion of JApAnese & Chinese Cuisine in the heArt of oAkville! something neW coming soon to august 8 Celebrating innovation at Halton's Third Agricultural Forum On January 29, Halton hosted the Third Agricultural Forum at Country Heritage Park in Milton. Close to 50 farmers, food processors, agri-product processors and elected officials attended this year's event to learn about innovation and some of the latest trends in agriculture including new research, funding opportunities and the advantages of developing niche products. The agriculture and farming industry is a key part of sustainable growth in Halton and through cooperative action at events like the forum, this sector helps ensure Halton continues to be a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. For more information on agriculture in Halton, please visit Halton.ca or dial 311. Halton Regional Meeting Schedule Feb 25 9:30 a.m. Regional Council Meeting 190215 Dine in for All You cAn eAt Gary Carr Regional Chair lunCh or Dinner www.August8.cA 7 DAYs A week 4 Locations to serve you better! oAkville 280 north service road W. @ Dorval 905-338-6228 BurlinGton 834 Brant Street Meetings can be viewed at Halton.ca/meetings Please contact us, as soon as possible, if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. We Do tAkeout! hAMilton 1 Wilson Street stoneY Creek 835 Paramount Drive 10% off Dinner only. Cash only & with this ad.