Wednesday, April 19, 1967 Act , An Act Respecting a Minimum Wage for Men, The Women's Minimum Wage Act , The Equal Pay Act , and The Apprentice and Tradesmen's Qualification Act . In addition the department is charged with the administration of the Winter Works program. Legislation will be presented to this House changing the name of the De¬ partment to the Department of Labour and Manpower Resources. The purpose of this change is to broaden the scope of the Department by giving it a responsibility to maintain statistics of manpower resources in this province, and to co-operate with the federal Manpower Centres in Charlottetown and Summerside in the Manpower Training program. The general policy of the Department rests on three main principles from which all other policies follow. First, we promote a climate and enviornment in which labour and management can manoeuvre freely in their relations with one another, to maintain industrial peace without government intervention. We want labour and management to solve their own problems and not have them look to government for solutions. If government interferes, there is the terrible risk of placing a straight-jacket on one or on the other or on both. Second, we promote and support better labour management relations and will give every assistance to further this new concept of Labour-Management policy. Thirdly, we will initiate legislation and policies which will give greater effect to the first two principles. The greatest emphasis of the Department will be given to Labour Management Relations because we are convinced that herein lies the key to industrial and com¬ mercial peace and prosperity. On July 12, 1966, following a period of general labour unrest, a joint announcement was made by the then Premier, W. R. Shaw , and Premier elect, A. B. Campbell , to the effect that a Labour Management Relations Council would be established to foster better relations between employers and employees, and to provide a form of communication through which both groups could submit their respective reviews. General business, manufacturing, construction and labour interests were re¬ quested to submit the names of individuals to form the Coucfl. Labour nominated its president, Mr. William Shields of Charlottetown , its Vice-President, Mr. Everett MacLeod of Borden, and Mr. Dennis Thibeau of Georgetown . The Board of Trade submitted the name of Mr. Prank W. Curtis as its nominee, while the Builder's Exchange nominated Mr. Norman F. Stewart of Charlottetown , and The Canadian Manufacturer's Association nominated Mr. P. Raymond MacDonald as their res¬ pective nominees. Walter R. Shaw : Were there any clergymen on that? Honourable J. Elmer Blaaehard : I am coming to that, Sir, I am just giving a brief outline. On October 81st, 1966, the six persons met at the call of the Minister of Labour and were requested to select a chairman. At its second meeting, the Council agreed to the appointment of Rev. Malcolm A . McQuaig, Charlottetown , as Chairman and a set of guide lines was submitted by the Minister of Labour. They are as follows. (1) The Council to be an independent body designed to promote labour co¬ operation in all its aspects. (2) After study and mutual agreement, the Council may recommend legislative changes (8) Council members will be viewed as individuals as opposed to official re¬ presentatives of the respective organisations having been selected because of their association with and consequent knowledge of the various pro¬ blems of Labour Management Relations. (4) No government representative will sit in on meetings of the Council, except by invitation. (5) The Department will offer a place for meeting and supply the necessary clerical services. —221—