Canada: Health and safety

Updating author: Sharaf Sultan, Sultan Lawyers
Original author: Miller Thomson

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Summary

• Occupational health and safety in Canada is governed by specific legislation in each province and territory, as well as federal legislation that applies only to federally regulated employers. (See General)
• Employers and employees have various duties regarding health and safety. (See Duties on employers and employees)
• Legislation in most jurisdictions provides for employers to set up a joint health and safety committee in workplaces over a certain size, and for workers to select one or more health and safety representatives in smaller workplaces that are not covered by the requirement to establish a committee. (See Health and safety representatives and committees)
• Each jurisdiction has its own public authority responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with its health and safety legislation. (See Enforcement and penalties)
• A compensation scheme for occupational injuries and illnesses is provided by "workers' compensation" legislation in all provinces and territories, and is government-administered and employer-funded. (See Compensation for occupational injury or illness)