Supporting Canadian workers’ mental health in a time of crisis

It is very important to recognize that the shift to working from home over digital platforms has brought significant new stresses into the work and personal lives of many Canadians

Every Canadian worker deserves a healthy and safe workplace.

Mental Health Day was an opportunity to recognize that mental health is an important part of overall health.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our lives this year in many ways, introducing new stresses and anxieties into our personal and work lives. Our social habits have changed. It is likely that our social circles have become smaller. As well, every workplace in Canada has been affected by the pandemic.

These changes have turned our lives upside down and adapting has been difficult.

Addressing the challenge of workplace mental health requires collaboration. In my role as minister of labour, I have convened meetings to share information, best practices and challenges to help create psychologically healthy and safe workplaces for all Canadians. These productive meetings have brought together unions, workers, employers, experts and my political counterparts across the provinces and territories.

Iam working to include mental health as a key element of occupational health and safety under the Canada Labour Code. Last year, we amended the Canada Labour Code to give federally regulated workers the right to formally request flexible work arrangements. It is very important to continuously monitor the changing nature of work to ensure workers are protected.

Further, we are amending the Canada Labour Code and are introducing new regulations to protect Canadian workers from harmful behaviours, such as harassment and violence, in the workplace.

In this time of crisis, it is of vital importance to share credible sources of information and resources about mental health. Health Canada recently launched a new online portal called Wellness Together Canada, which provides Canadians access to a virtual network of psychosocial supports. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has created free e-courses and the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s has developed a virtual Resource Hub.

These are examples of how Canada’s public service and broader public sector organizations have been doing great work to make sure that Canadians get the supports they need.

Finally, it is very important to recognize that the shift to working from home over digital platforms has brought significant new stresses into the work and personal lives of many Canadians. That stress has been felt more acutely by women, who, for many different reasons, often find themselves working full-time from home and also caring for children and others. One of my priorities is to develop a “right to disconnect” to achieve greater fairness for people who work via digital platforms.

I am so proud that Canadians have been working hard together in the fight against COVID-19.

These are tough times. I thank all essential workers on the front lines and those supporting them and I salute those struggling to keep a small business, charity, community or cultural organization going. Your sacrifices and hard work are a big part of what makes Canada a great country.