Province seeks feedback on legal pot and worker safety

Government reaches out to residents for input on possible workplace law reforms

The provincial government is seeking feedback from residents on how to keep workers and workplaces safe from marijuana impairment when weed is legalized this fall.

The call for input comes just under a year after a governmentrun survey found that a majority of respondents believe more needs to be done to ensure workers are safe.

Written submissions received by the government will inform possible changes to the Saskatchewan Employment Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

“Being impaired at work is unacceptable, dangerous and illegal,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan said in a statement on Friday.

“With the introduction of the Cannabis Act, we are examining current legislation and will be making changes to ensure the safety of all workers.”

Morgan wasn’t available for an interview on Friday, but government spokeswoman Jen Toews said in an email the province has already reached out to stakeholders, including labour unions and employer associations in the public and private sectors, as well as human resource professionals and labour lawyers, Toews said.

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour president Larry Hubich, meanwhile, questioned why the legalization of marijuana should result in any changes to the rules governing workplace impairment.

The courts have ruled many times on issues such as random drug testing, and while there are challenges associated with determining impairment, employees are already expected to report sober, he said.

“I don’t think we need to reinvent the wheel here,” Hubich said.

A consultation paper published on Friday states that the government is interested in two specific questions: The duty of employees to disclose impairment and the duty of employers to accommodate employees who make disclosures.

The paper outlines several possible options, including amendments to legislation clarifying under what circumstances random drug testing would be permitted and the need to develop a workplace policy on impairment.

Toews said the right balance between safety and privacy will be determined through consultations and the courts.

According to the provincial government, written submissions will be accepted until Aug. 31. The government doesn’t have a sense of how many submissions it will receive, Toews said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last month announced that cannabis will be legal and available to the public on Oct. 17.

The announcement came after the federal marijuana bill, C-45, passed Parliament and was granted royal assent.

Being impaired at work is unacceptable, dangerous and illegal.

NATHAN DENETTE/THE CANADIAN PRESS The provincial government is inviting written submissions from residents who have suggestions around workplace safety once marijuana consumption becomes legal later this year.