Q&A With Canadian Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Labour MaryAnn Mihychuk


On Nov. 4, 2015, MaryAnn Mihychuk was appointed Canada’s minster of Employment, Workforce Development, and Labour as part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new government of “real change.” Shortly thereafter on Jan. 28, 2016, legislation was introduced to restore a fair and balanced approach to organized labour. Mihychuk shared with Air Line Pilot a few thoughts on the country’s short- and long-term goals with respect to labour and aviation.

Q. After serving nine years as an elected member of the Manitoba Legislature, including ministerial portfolios, you made the decision to pursue politics in the federal sector. Why?

A. It was an honour to serve in the Manitoba Legislature and in the Canadian House of Commons. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my community. In fact, I was also an elected school board trustee in Winnipeg, and served as the school district chair, so I’ve been involved in politics for close to 15 years. I made a decision to enter federal politics because I couldn’t sit by and watch the previous government take Canada in what I strongly felt was the wrong direction. I felt like I had a responsibility to do what I could to stop the previous government from hurting Canada.

Q. Prime Minister Trudeau promised a government that would bring “real change” in both what you do and how you do it. What real change do you want to bring about in your portfolio?

A. There’s a lot of work to do and a lot that needs to change. Ultimately, I want to make sure we provide help to Canadians when they need it most. As Labour minister, that means ending the practice of playing politics, playing favourites, and taking sides in labour relations. I want to bring back a level playing field in labour relations for everyone. I want to put the interests of Canadians first. I’d say a personal goal for change is to increase women’s representation in the workforce, including in airline cockpits.

Q. ALPA was heartened to see, in your mandate letter, a reference to restoring a fair and balanced approach to organized labour by repealing Bills C-377 and C-525. Can you tell us how your government is doing on that front?

A. We promised to restore fairness and balance in the campaign, and we’re keeping that promise. I introduced legislation earlier this year to repeal those two bills. It was one of the very first pieces of legislation the government introduced. It’s working its way through the House of Commons now. While the Conservative Party voted against repealing those bills, I’m pleased other parties supported our plan.

Q. Do you expect any opposition to that action from the Conservative-dominated Senate?

A. I’m optimistic the Senate will carefully consider our legislation, and I’m hopeful it will support restoring fairness and balance in Canada’s labour relations system.

Q. Do you have other plans regarding restoring a fair and balanced approach to organized labour?

A. To me, it’s not about just checking a box or a one-off initiative. I believe we need to make fairness and balance the new normal again in Canadian labour relations. I hope to infuse those ideals in all that we do.

Q. In that regard, do you also contemplate amendments to the Canada Labour Code?

A. The short answer is yes. The prime minister asked me in my mandate letter to amend the code to allow workers in the federally regulated private sector to formally request flexible work arrangements from their employers. We’ll have more to say about that soon.

Q. We understand that you are contemplating some reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. What might that entail?

A. Everyone agrees that the previous government’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program needs to change. They promised to fix the program’s problems but never did. We want to provide more opportunities for every Canadian to find a job to support themselves and their families. We’re pleased a House of Commons Committee is reviewing the program. We’re also reviewing it and looking at issues, including improving job training for Canadians and developing a path to citizenship for workers through the program. We’ll bring forward our changes that will put Canadian jobs, and Canadian workers, first.

Q. Your mandate letter also referenced improving workers’ access to good quality job training, including developing a framework to fund training facilities delivered in partnership with labour unions. Is there progress?

A. I think we’re on track to deliver our commitment. Budget 2016 proposed $85.4 million over five years starting in 2016–17 to develop a new framework to support union-based apprenticeship training. That would include improving the quality of training and investing in equipment. We’ll work with our labour partners, including employers, to bring this forward.

Q. In the aviation sector, the U.S. is having difficulty recruiting new pilots because training can be expensive and the profession isn't offering satisfactory pay, benefits, and career progression. Do you have any thoughts on building the pilot pipeline? We think being an airline pilot is a great job.

A. First of all, I think Canadian pilots are among the world’s best. Post-secondary education is an investment in the future for middle-class Canadians who want to become pilots—or wherever their dreams are taking them. Our plan is to help more middle-class families manage those financial costs, so we’re increasing the Canada Student Grant by 50 percent. We’re also going to work with provinces and territories to expand eligibility and simplify the application process. It’s just part of our plan to help the middle class and those seeking to join it. Students enrolling in pilot training or education courses could qualify for this assistance. I’d encourage anyone who wants to learn more to contact Service Canada to see if they might qualify.

MaryAnn Mihychuk was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 2015, representing the riding of Kildonan–St. Paul in Manitoba for the Liberal Party and currently serves as minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Labour in the federal cabinet. She received a masters of geological sciences degree from Brock University and a bachelor of science degree from the University of Winnipeg and is a registered professional geoscientist in Manitoba.

This article is from the May 2016 issue of Air Line Pilot magazine, the official journal of the Air Line Pilots Association, International—a monthly publication for all ALPA members.

This article was originally published in the May 2016 issue of Air Line Pilot.

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