Legislative Assembly

Walter R. Shaw: You haven’t any figures at the end of 1966?

Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: I do not, no, but at that time . . . . Walter R. Shaw: I say it went up quite a lot in that six years.

Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: Yes, well we use the DBS estimated . . . . Walter R. Shaw: I have that.

Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: Labour force, therefore, represents an impor- tant and perhaps the largest sector of our population more so than has been heretofor recognized. In addition to this number there are a great number who are engaged on the management side. Our labour department must not be solely concerned with labour problems, but has to be equally involved in the problems of management as well, and the problems of both of them are inseparable. The Liberal Party, on assess- ing this situation, saw the need for a greater emphasis on and the necessity for more detailed attention to these two groups, and thus a separate department was promised to the people. Upon assuming office it was immediately set up and is now operating on all cylinders. The question is often asked, “What does a Labour Department do 1'" In answer to that question, I may say that, firstly, the Department, like every other department of government, considers and formulates policy on matters relating to industrial peace and relations in the province, and the protection of the rights and responsibilities of both management and labour, employers and employees. Secondly, it initiates and supervises legislation to promote industrial peace and the protection of the rights of employers and employees. Thirdly, the staff attends to the day-to-day problems, correspondence and decisions arising from policy and legislation as it effects employers and employees in the province. And fourthly, it maintains com- munications with other Departments of the provincial government and the labour departments of the other provinces, and of the federal government and all other agencies and associations relating to management and labour. I want to make one thing clear, Mr. Speaker. The Labour Department is not an employment agency engaged in hiring and firing personnel, as the Leader of the Opposition would like to make it appear. He said in his address that “The Minister of Labour, like a good soldier carried out the order of the Government, to fire all the employees at George- town." Is that what you said?

Walter R. Shaw: That’s right.

Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: I don’t think that the Leader of the Opposition really meant what he said.

Walter R. Shaw: Always. (Laughter)

Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: But in order to set the record straight I might remind him that the two Georgetown industries are private companies, and if . . . .

Walter R. Shaw: Who locked the door?

Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: . . . . there was a lay-off of personnel, the companies themselves have laid off the personnel. To suggest otherwise would be contrary to the true facts of the case.

Walter R. Shaw: Ha, ha, ha!

Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: Well you may laugh, Sir, but you know that is correct. In any event, the statement of the Leader of the Opposition indicates

that he has either no conception, or the wrong conception, of the duties and functions of the Minister of Labour and his Department.

Walter It. Shaw: I find it hard to follow, I must admit.

Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: You are not kidding that you find it hard to follow. The Legislation under the jurisdiction of the Department is as follows;

Industrial Relations Act, The Workmen’s Compensation Act, The Steam Boiler _220_