Ministry Overview and Core Business Areas

Employment Standards

Employment standards activities aim to increase compliance with the Employment Standards Act. There are 112 staff in the branch serving in nine sites throughout the province, with a budget of $9,917,000. Specific initiatives will be undertaken beginning in the 2005/06 fiscal year to enhance the prevention and education component of the Employment Standards Branch's operations.

Industrial Relations

The ministry oversees the fair administration of B.C.'s industrial relations to promote a healthy labour relations environment. The LRB has a budget of $5,287,000 and 45 full-time equivalent positions. The Labour Relations Board will enhance procedures to handle disposition of complaints in an efficient and timely manner. The responsiveness of the LRB will be further enhanced, especially with regards to the manner it interacts with the requirements of small businesses. The Employment Standards Tribunal is also part of this core business area.

Workers' Compensation System

The ministry is responsible for the Workers Compensation Act (WCA), which provides a framework for promoting safe and healthy workplaces and sets out the workers' compensation system for B.C.

Executive and Support Services

The Executive and Support Services section of the ministry will maintain activities to support the government's goals of a strong and vibrant provincial economy, a supportive social infrastructure and safe and healthy communities. The productive dialogue between the ministry and its stakeholders in the labour community will continue. Executive and Support Services will work with employers, organized labour and other key stakeholders to provide progressive policy directions to advance overall government priorities for promoting harmonious and productive labour relations, skills development and labour stability in the province. There are 25 FTEs with a budget of approximately $3,573,000.