Key Results |
- Easy access to occupational health and safety information and services. This includes providing Canadians with information through a free inquires service to assist with occupational health and safety concerns. Client satisfaction and results are evaluated annually. This also includes ensuring that information is available in many forms such as publications, internet, CD-Rom, DVD and training. Information on the various products and services can be found at: http://www.ccohs.ca/products/subject.html
- Increase awareness and understanding of occupational health and safety issues in the workplace. This includes providing advice and guidance, training and promoting health and safety. Understanding is measured through evaluations.
- Application of occupational information to improve workplace practices measured through reach of information and impact on changes in the workplace. This is demonstrated through evaluation reports.
- Partial recovery of costs from user fees through sales of products and services in addition to providing public service. Results are measured through revenues generated from sales while also balancing the needs of the public to have access to free or low cost information.
|
2.1 Key Stakeholders and Partners
CCOHS is governed by tripartite council comprised of representatives from labour, business and all levels of Canadian government. This governance structure helps to ensure that CCOHS remains independent and a trusted source of unbiased information for employers, workers and governments. Our key stakeholders are directly involved in the policy governance and strategic planning for the organization. Our inquiries service is also supported and funded from contributions provided by provincial and territorial governments.
In addition to these partnerships, CCOHS is actively involved in many collaborative arrangements with national and international occupational health and safety organizations. These include the World Health Organization (WHO), the Canadian Health Network, North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH), International Labor Organization (ILO) and International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Further information on the many partnerships is available at http://www.ccohs.ca/ccohs/partner.html and in our annual report.
Collaborative projects are undertaken for the development of resources and to provide additional high quality OSH resources to Canadians. CCOHS also provides high quality electronic information products, a series of over 20 CD-ROMs that contain databases, publications and full text Canadian health, safety and environmental legislation. The service has subscribers in more than 50 countries. These products are also delivered via the Internet.
Unbiased and credible occupational health and safety information is obtained in co-operation with Canadian and worldwide sources. CCOHS is a trusted source of credible information for Canadians. Information is made available in many forms through our website, Inquiries services and products and services. With the vast amount of information available on the Internet, providing information that Canadians can rely on to be unbiased and credible is an increasingly important key objective of CCOHS.
2.2 Major Initiatives
A unique Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) management system has been developed to support the goal of assisting workers to be more effective in safely using hazardous chemicals. The service is designed to give users the ability to build and maintain a customized collection of the material safety data sheets (MSDS) that they use in their work place. Customized collections are automatically updated and the subscriber is notified of changes in the MSDS in their collection.
E-learning was launched late in 2004 to provide consistent high quality training programs and shows significant potential for future growth based on the response by Canadians. Plans for 2006-7 include expanded course offering and customized courses designed to meet the needs of specific groups. Classroom based courses are also offered.
A national forum on occupational health and safety will be held late 2006/7. As a result of the success of the last forum, "Strategies for Recognizing and Preventing Occupational Disease", this event will be held on a bi-annual basis. The recommendations that emerged from the workshops reflect the results of the opportunity provided to researchers, health and safety practitioners, healthcare personnel and others to share ideas on how to improve occupational health and safety and disease prevention.
Management initiatives include improved performance management reporting with the implementation of ongoing measurement tools for data collection in keeping with the new logic model. Ongoing performance measurement is being incorporated into operating plans for 2006. In addition, the Policy on Service Standards on External User fees is being implemented. While CCOHS user fees do not fall within the User Fees Act, the Policy on Service Standards is applicable.
2.3 Risks and Challenges
The fiscal challenge for CCOHS is balancing the role between providing free-of-charge public services and cost-recovery programs. CCOHS is required to fund 50% of its annual budget through cost recovery via sales of products and services. However, it is an ongoing challenge to generate profits of $4.3 million dollars annually given the limited human resources and absence of working capital. In addition, uncontrollable changes in the competitive global market place such as foreign exchange, life cycle of products, technological changes and the Internet have seriously hampered the ability of CCOHS to meet sales targets.
As a Schedule II department, CCOHS has certain administrative responsibilities that are not conducive to revenue generation to the extent of $4.3 million per year. This includes limits on advertising, embargos on advertising due to policy changes or elections and the lack of funding for new product development and promotion. CCOHS does not have any working capital to finance accounts receivable or inventories that are carried on its balance sheet. These restrictions place CCOHS at a competitive disadvantage for proper cost-recovery.
Sales are also impacted by the general state of the economy, and CCOHS' ability to keep abreast of changing technologies, and global competition in occupational safety and health information. Information products by their nature are expensive to develop and maintain as they require continual updating to be useful. This requires extensive work by a wide range of professionals who rely on the latest technologies. Generating revenues while operating in a competitive marketplace is an ongoing challenge while complying with government policy restrictions.
Since most products and services are delivered electronically, it is a continual struggle to keep operating systems and software technically current to meet the requirements of clients. Failure to maintain current market place standards would result in our products not working on changing operating systems and internet browsers.
While the internet provides many opportunities, it also is a risk factor. Information is readily available from many sources. CCOHS strives to distinguish itself as a reliable trusted source of unbiased and credible information. The trend towards CCOHS provided e-learning may offset losses due to the internet and changing needs of users. However, the development and implementation of e-learning courses is very labour intensive and requires a heavy investment prior to the realization of revenues.
CCOHS is committed to addressing the challenges it faces through expanding and renewing information services and technology. The products are continually updated to reflect changing technologies as funding permits.
As with many organizations, succession planning is a serious concern for CCOHS. Almost half of its existing staff is over the age of fifty and many are eligible for retirement in the next five years. CCOHS does not have the funding to hire additional staff to mirror existing positions.
2.4 Government Initiatives
CCOHS contributes to the priorities of the government in the following way:
Canada's Role in the World
- CCOHS contributes to greater collaboration among nations to promote the sharing of information and knowledge for social programs relating to health and safety to reduce injuries and illness and improve conditions for workers. CCOHS participates in promoting and supporting occupational health and safety initiatives with global organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centres in Occupational Health, International Labour Organization, United Nations Environment Program, Organization of American States (OAS) and European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Details of various collaborations and results can be found in our annual report at: http://www.ccohs.ca/ccohs/reports.html.
Strengthening Canada's Social Foundation
- Occupational diseases, illnesses and death are serious health risks to Canadians. The government plans to strengthen our social foundations by improving the overall health of Canadians starting with health promotion to reduce the incidence of avoidable disease. One of the most effective strategies in reducing ill health is prevention. CCOHS' primary role is to support Canada's capability to improve prevention of work-related illness and disease by providing information and services to enable Canadians to identify hazards and risks in the workplace and assist them to address issues and take remedial action. CCOHS continues to engage many health care providers and advocates in the public and private sectors to improve the health of Canadians. Details of specific projects are noted throughout this report and our annual report. CCOHS also contributes to this priority through its work with the Canadian Health Network (a Health Canada initiative) as the lead for the workplace health affiliate. CCOHS' forum on occupational diseases supports this government priority. http://www.ccohs.ca/headlines/text59.html
- CCOHS contributes to fostering safe communities by providing information resources and various programs to promote safety to the many communities throughout Canada.
Sustainable Development
- CCOHS provides extensive information on chemicals and their impact on health and the environment. CCOHS is a major source of environmental health information for government regulators, the chemical industry, manufacturing sectors and citizens. This helps Canadians become well informed and prepared to work for a clean and healthy environment.
B. Total Planned Spending by Strategic Outcome
CCOHS is a national centre dedicated to the advancement and dissemination of unbiased information on occupational health and safety. CCOHS provides Canadians with information about occupational health and safety that is trustworthy, comprehensive, and intelligible. The information facilitates responsible decision-making, promotes improvements in workplace health and safety, increases awareness of the need for a healthy and safe working environment, and supports occupational health and safety and education training.
CCOHS has one overall program activity, occupational health and safety information development, delivery services and tripartite collaboration. The department's policies and programs are directed to the pursuit of the following key results:
Planned Spending by Strategic Outcomes (in thousands)
Expected Results |
Priorities |
Associated Resources |
Type of Priority |
Easy access to Occupational Health and Safety information and service |
- Satisfaction with and ease of access and retrieval of OHS information from Inquiries Service, web access and other sources
- Proactively identify new resources to meet Canadians current information needs
- Expand content provided from the internet via OSH Answers
- Enhance CCOHS' internet usability through improved technology and website design
- Identify emerging high risk OHS issues and needs, and develop appropriate products/services to address the needs, such as guides, web portals and forums
- Ongoing development and refinement of existing OHS products and services
|
$1,121 |
On going |
Increased awareness and understanding of Occupational Health and Safety issues in the workplace |
- Hosting national forums on key issues
|
$1,121 |
On going |
- Promoting healthy workplaces and OHS information through internet, training, conferences and presentations
|
New |
- Enhancement of website presentation and its searchability
|
On going |
- Provide additional key resources on chemical health and safety
|
New |
- Increase content through partnerships such as the Canadian Health Network
|
On going |
- Provide Health and Safety Report as an electronic
newsletter delivered to Canadians via the internet
|
New |
- Develop internet chat group capabilities mechanism
to assist Canadians to efficiently exchange ideas
on health and safety
|
On going |
Application of Occupational Health and Safety Information to Improve workplace practices |
- Increase workplace effectiveness through provision of health and safety management systems
- Provide unbiased high quality OHS information
- Improve application in workplace through promotion of healthy workplace
- Foster collaboration and exchanges in ideas through national dialogues, forums and conferences to increase applications in workplace and improve practices
- Collaborate with education sector, youth groups, and partners to expand and improve teaching health and safety in the school system
|
$1,121 |
On going |
Partial recovery of costs from user fees |
- Sale of products and services that meet the objective of improving health and safety in the workplace
- Increase revenues in new product lines
|
$1,121 |
New and on going |
2.5 Easy Access to Occupational Health and Safety Information and Service
Plans and Priorities
To provide wide range of products and services to meet the needs of Canadians notional planned spending for 2006-7 - $ 1,121 |
The Inquiries Service is the national resource centre that provides free and confidential access to occupational health and safety (OH&S) information, in English or in French, to the Canadian working population. Specialists in workplace health and safety are available to assist Canadians with their questions via a telephone service, e-mail or fax. In addition, we develop and provide OshAnswers, available as a web based information service that covers over 600 topics in occupational health and safety. The health and safety information is presented in a question-and-answer format and answers more than 3,500 questions.
CCOHS also offers extensive information on its website and through various products and services. Emerging risks for OHS issues and needs are identified so appropriate products and services can be developed.
The goals for the upcoming year are:
- To increase the amount of information available through OshAnswers by providing additional content delivered from the Internet
- Further understand citizen satisfaction by employing user surveys and research to establish improvements
- Enhance the CCOHS website usability through improvements to its searching capabilities and content presentation
- Increase awareness of the Inquiry Service to Canadians
- Identify emerging needs and develop products such as guides, web portals, forums in response to needs
- Ongoing development and refinement of existing OHS products and services to ensure the content is current and relevant
Rationale
These services are delivered in various methods to ensure that Canadians have access in their preferred method of service and to efficiently provide services coast to coast from one location.
The key partners for the delivery of the person-to-person Inquiries services are the provincial and territorial governments who contribute financially and through their participation on the CCOHS Council of Governors. Other partners include various international organizations who share their information with CCOHS.
Monitoring
These services are monitored through reviews of website statistics, service impact statistical reports, direct client feedback and user satisfaction surveys. Periodic evaluations are also conducted to include performance measurement information in addition to key informant interviews.
Resources
Forecast Spending 2005-2006 |
Planned Spending 2006-2007 |
Planned Spending 2007-2008 |
Planned Spending 2008-2009 |
in thousands |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
1,148 |
22 |
1,121 |
22 |
1,121 |
22 |
1,121 |
22 |
CCOHS fully supports and has in place plans and priorities to maintain Canada's goal Partnerships for a Healthy Canada. CCOHS continues to address the health of Canadians and provides information to help protect against occupational diseases and workplace injuries. Prevention is the most significant priority to keep Canadians healthy and safe. Sound information, from CCOHS is a crucial necessary beginning for assisting Canadians to make their workplaces safe, healthy and productive.
2.6 Application of Occupational Health and Safety Information to Improve Workplace Practices
Application of Occupational Health and Safety Information to improve Workplace Practices - Notional planned spending for 2006-7- $1,121 |
Plans and Priorities
The application of occupational health and safety information in the workplace is important to achieve reductions in injuries and illnesses. Providing information that is useable in the workplace and giving Canadians tools that enhance workplace conditions is important.
- Produce three new health and safety guides relating to current needs in occupational health and safety
- Increase the availability of e-learning material to expand the range of requested OSH course offerings
- Improve the availability of information through enhancements to the CCOHS website and improve the searchability of the website contents
- Develop and provide additional resources on chemical health and safety
- Provide and make publicly accessible more workplace health and wellness content information through partnerships with organizations such as the Canadian Health Network
- Provide tools such as the healthy workplace web portal and health and safety management systems
- Foster collaboration and exchanges in ideas through national dialogues, forums and conferences to increase applications in workplace and improve practices
- Collaborate with the education sector, youth groups and partners to improve the teaching of health and safety in the school system
Rationale
The rationale for CCOHS' development of products and services is to promote changes, both today and in the future, in Canadian workplaces for improved occupational health and safety programs and systems to reduce the number of illnesses and injuries and improve workplace capability.
Information is provided in different methods to provide Canadians with equivalent opportunities to access CCOHS' services. Providing useable information that can be directly applied in the workplace is essential to achieving our goals. The key partners for delivering services can be found at: http://www.ccohs.ca/ccohs/partner.html.
Monitoring
The outcomes from this program are measured through various methods including website statistics, distribution of publications, copyright applications, and evaluative information on the sharing of information and use of information in the workplace. Client surveys and focus groups are also conducted to obtain user feedback on the accessibility and usability of products and services. The latest reports can be reviewed at http://www.ccohs.ca/ccohs/reports.html.
Resources
Forecast Spending 2005-2006 |
Planned Spending 2006-2007 |
Planned Spending 2007-2008 |
Planned Spending 2008-2009 |
in thousands |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
1,148 |
23 |
1,121 |
23 |
1,121 |
23 |
1,121 |
23 |
These services directly contribute to improving Canada's social foundations by improving the overall health of Canadians with health information to help reduce the incidence of avoidable disease.
2.7 Increased awareness and understanding of Occupational Health and Information Issues in the Work Place
Plans and Priorities
Increased awareness and understanding of Occupational Health and Information issues in the Work Place - Notional planned spending in 2006-7 - $1,121 |
- Hosting National forums on key issues
- Promoting healthy workplaces and OSH information through internet, training, conferences and presentations
- Enhancement of website presentation and its searchability
- Provide additional key resources on chemical health and safety
- Increase content through partnerships such as the Canadian Health Network
- Provide Health and Safety Report as an electronic newsletter delivered to Canadians via the internet
- Develop internet chat group capabilities to assist Canadians to efficiently exchange ideas on health and safety
- Promote nation wide the importance of health and safety in the workplace
- To participate in various collaborative projects with different levels of government and other organizations throughout the year.
Rationale
Understanding the issues of occupational health and safety is the first step in recognizing problems and working towards solutions that ultimately lead to reduced injuries and illness.
Monitoring
The measurement of success is the distribution of information and the wide reach and use of these services. This can be measured through distribution statistics, participation in promotions and awareness campaigns and website statistics.
Resources
Forecast Spending 2005-2006 |
Planned Spending 2006-2007 |
Planned Spending 2007-2008 |
Planned Spending 2008-2009 |
in thousands |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
1,147 |
23 |
1,121 |
24 |
1,121 |
24 |
1,121 |
24 |
2.8 Partial Recovery of Costs from User Fees
Plans and Priorities
Partial recovery of costs from the sale of products and services that meet the objective of improving health and safety - Notional planned spending $1,121 |
Rationale
CCOHS' funding structure requires that 50% of its budget be funded through the sale of products and services. The extent of programming is dependent upon the ability to generate the necessary revenues.
Monitoring
The success of this program is measured through the revenues generated from sales and the ability to meet operating expenses.
Resources
Forecast Spending 2005-2006 |
Planned Spending 2006-2007 |
Planned Spending 2007-2008 |
Planned Spending 2008-2009 |
in thousands |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
$ |
FTE |
1,147 |
22 |
1,121 |
22 |
1,121 |
22 |
1,121 |
22 |
Section III: Supplementary Information
A. Organizational Information
![Organization Chart for RPP 2006-2007](images/orgchart0607.gif)
CCOHS operates as a departmental corporation of the Federal government, and is governed by an independent tripartite Council of Governors comprised of representatives from labour, business, federal and provincial Canadian governments. The tripartite governance structure helps to ensure that CCOHS remains a well informed and a trusted source of unbiased information for employers, workers and governments.
The internal departments are organized to facilitate effective delivery of products and services to citizens. Health and Safety Products and Services obtains and creates the content information about occupational health and safety from world-wide sources. Computer Systems and Services group facilitates the delivery of content in various media such as CD-ROM, DVD, Internet, list serves, portals and discussion groups. The Inquiries Service provides direct front line service to Canadians via a service available via telephone, fax, mail and Internet. They also develop content for the internet. Marketing, Sales and Communication promote the use of CCOHS products and services, providing customer service support, communications to Canadians and marketing activities. The Controller's group provides services to the departments including finance, operations support, facilities management and internal computer systems. Human resources supports all departments.
Section IV: Financial Information
Table 1: Departmental Planned Spending and Full Time Equivalent
($ thousands) |
Forecast Spending 2005-06 |
Planned Spending 2006-07 |
Planned Spending 2007-08 |
Planned Spending 2008-09 |
Gross Program Spending:
Occupational health and safety information development, delivery services and tripartite collaboration |
8,840 |
8,784 |
8,784 |
8,784 |
Less: Respendable revenue |
4,300 |
4,300 |
4,300 |
4,300 |
Total Main Estimates |
4,540 |
4,484 |
4,484 |
4,484 |
Adjustments: |
Compensation and rollover from prior year |
60 |
- |
- |
- |
Reduction due to ERC exercise |
(10) |
(20) |
- |
- |
Total Adjustments |
50 |
(20) |
- |
- |
Net Planned Spending |
4,590 |
4,464 |
4,484 |
4,484 |
Plus: Cost of Services Provided by other Departments or Agencies |
718 |
718 |
718 |
718 |
Net Cost of Program |
5,308 |
5,182 |
5,202 |
5,202 |
Full Time Equivalents |
90 |
96 |
96 |
96 |
The changes in planned spending represent funds rolled over from prior year and compensation. CCOHS previously paid 15.9% directly for benefit plans and in future years will pay 20% through appropriations as is the practice with other departments. The reductions to the department's planned spending are as a result of the ERC exercise and which were announced in the 2005 Budget. The amounts announced for fiscal 2006/7 are included in the above table, but have not been carried forward to the other tables. |
|
Table 2: Program by Activity
($ thousands)
2006-2007 |
Budgetary |
Program Activity |
Operating |
Capital |
Grants and Contributions |
Gross |
Revenue |
Net |
Occupational health and safety information development, delivery services and tripartite collaboration |
8,784 |
- |
- |
8,784 |
4,300 |
4,484 |
Total |
8,784 |
- |
- |
8,784 |
4,300 |
4,484 |
2006-2007 |
Non-Budgetary |
Program Activity |
Loans,Investments and Advances |
Total Main Estimates |
Adjustments (planned spending not in Main Estimates) |
Total Planned Spending |
Occupational health and safety information development, delivery services and tripartite collaboration |
- |
4,484 |
- |
4,484 |
Total |
- |
4,484 |
- |
4,484 |
Note: CCOHS has one program activity
Table 3: Voted and Statutory Items listed in Main Estimates
($ thousands)
2006-2007 |
Vote or Statutory Item |
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety |
Current Main Estimates |
Previous Main Estimates |
35 |
Program expenditures |
3,418 |
3,498 |
(S) |
Contributions to employee benefit plans |
1,066 |
1,042 |
|
Total Department or Agency |
4,484 |
4,540 |
The increase relates to compensation increases as a result of the change in the collective agreement and adjustments required due to the EBP being included in the ARLU process for the first time. CCOHS was paying the direct actual costs in prior years.
Table 4: Net Cost of Program for the Estimates Year 2006-7
($ thousands)
Gross Planned Spending | 8,784 |
Plus: | |
Services Received without charge | |
Accomodation provided by PWGSC | 675 |
Workers' Compensation coverage provided by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada | 1 |
Salary and associated costs of audit services provided by the Office of the Auditor General |
42 |
Salary and associated costs of legal services provided by Justice Canada |
- |
| 718 |
Total Cost of Program | 9,502 |
Less: | |
Revenue Credited to the Vote |
4,300 |
Revenue Credited to the CRF |
- |
Net Cost of Program |
5,202 |
2006-7 Estimated Net Program Cost |
5,202 |
Table 5: Source of Respendable Revenue
($ thousands) |
Forecast Revenue 2005-06 |
Planned Revenue 2006-07 |
Planned Revenue 2007-08 |
Planned Revenue 2008-09 |
Occupational health and safety information development, delivery services and tripartite collaboration |
4,300 |
4,300 |
4,300 |
4,300 |
Total Credited to the Vote |
4,300 |
4,300 |
4,300 |
4,300 |
Table 6: User Fees
The User Fees Act is not applicable to the revenues generated by CCOHS.
Table 7: Travel Policies
CCOHS follows the TBS Special Travel Authorities and the TBS Travel Directive, Rates and Allowances.
Section V: Other Items of Interest
Annex 1: Listing of Statutes and Regulations
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S. 1985, c. C-13)
Annex 2: Publications
The following reports are available at: http://www.ccohs.ca/ccohs/reports.html
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Annual Reports
Departmental Performance Reports
Program Evaluation and Cost Recovery Study: Assessing
the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - Modern Management Practices Assessment
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - Modern Comptrollership Action Plan
Customer Satisfaction Research Report
CCOHS 2005 Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement Study
Annex 3: Government-wide and Horizontal Initiatives
Modern Comptrollership
CCOHS strongly supports the integration of comptrollership modernization principles in our implementation of Modern Comptrollership http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/cmo_mfc/index_e.asp. The capacity assessment and action plan were completed in 2002. The capacity assessment has been conducted to establish baselines which progress can be measured and determines areas requiring attention. The details of these plans can be found at: http://www.ccohs.ca/ccohs/reports.html.
Government On-Line
Government On-Line (GOL) http://www.cio-dpi.gc.ca/gol-ged/index_e.asp
is the federal government's multi-year project to provide
Canadians with electronic Internet access to federal information
and services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The program's
goals are to improve service delivery to Canadians, to increase
citizens' participation in government, to make the government
more transparent and responsive to Canadians, and to spur
Canada's participation in the global e-commerce market place.
CCOHS has been proactive in the development of its Internet
presence to deliver its programs and services on line for
many years. Our website at www.ccohs.ca
allows for instant access to information and e-mail access
to services. Products and services can also be obtained on
line through our e-commerce site. The CCOHS Internet site
has extensive information available to a broad range of users
and acts as a portal to several collaborative websites that
makes information from all Canadian jurisdictions and many
international resources instantly available to Canadians.
The common look and feel guidelines have also been implemented
http://www.cio-dpi.gc.ca/clf-upe/index_e.asp
for CCOHS' website.
Annex 4: Strategic Priorities
Our Mission
To provide Canadians with information about occupational
health and safety which is trustworthy, comprehensive, and
intelligible. The information facilitates responsible decision-making,
promotes improvements in the workplace, increases awareness
of the need for a healthy and safe working environment, and
supports occupational health and safety education and training.
Governance
CCOHS is governed and directed by a tripartite Council of Governors comprised of members from labour, business and government leaders representing their respective constituents across Canada. The Council meets three times a year to review policy and monitor the progress of CCOHS.
In January 1997, the Council adopted the following set of guiding principles for the Centre's future, which have been supported by federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for occupational health and safety:
Guiding Principles
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Act allows the Centre to undertake a broad range of activities "to promote the fundamental right of Canadians to a healthy and safe working environment".
The Council of Governors intends these principles to guide the Centre for the short to mid term and to allow for continued growth in cost-recovery.
- The Council reconfirms its support and commitment to the CCOHS and the valuable role the Centre provides to Canada's workers and employers. Further, the Council recognizes the importance of its tripartite nature in governing the Centre.
The Centre is to continue to serve as a source of excellence for unbiased technical information and expertise to support labour, employers, and governments in maintaining safe and healthy workplaces.
The Centre is to continue to provide critical analysis and interpretation of occupational safety and health information.
Further, the three caucuses recognize the critical importance of maintaining a free inquiry service to support the right of working Canadians to a healthy and safe working environment.
- The Council and the Centre shall communicate to respective Ministers regarding the excellence and role of the Centre in order to obtain broad public policy support and guidance.
- The Council recognizes the high standard and non-partisan nature of the Centre's undertakings. It recommends the Centre continue in its consulting and research efforts, while meeting the test of fairness in a competitive world. Joint funding of projects that target key areas of information needs should be a special focus of these efforts.
The Council urges all governments and other organizations to consider the Centre as a potential source of consulting and research services.
- The Council urges governmental and non-governmental organizations, including labour and employers, to work in partnership with the Centre to provide public access to the Centre's CD-ROM, Internet and other services.
- The Council recommends the Centre consider the future possibility of gathering and disseminating occupational health and safety statistical information.
- The Council recognizes that the Centre has become a national repository for MSDS, and efforts to encourage companies to continue to supply data sheets to the Centre will continue, where practicable and feasible.
- The Council recommends that health and safety materials are available in the form most useful to the user, including hard copy.
- The Council encourages the development of partnerships, tailored to specific jurisdictions, that enhance the visibility and distribution of CCOHS information. This could also include co-operation between various government inquiry services.
- The Council recommends that jurisdictions and others systematically provide all technical, research, guidelines, codes of practice, and best practices to the Centre.
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