Sustainable Chemicals Management

A Canadian Labour PerspectiveFraming a Future Chemicals Policy

Conference

Boston - April 28-29, 2005

Who are We?

• 3 million men and women across Canada• Local unions and labour councils• Affiliated National and “International” unions• Canadian Labour Congress

– Health and Safety Committee– Environment Committee

• International Confederation of Free Trade Unions

Policy Transformation• 1980’s Workplace Hazardous Materials

Information SystemFirst and only unified National and Provincial

program relating to workers’ healthClassification and labellingFocus on workplaceMandatory substitution in only 2 jurisidictionsIn some jurisdictions actually stalled community

right to know

• 1993 National Policy Position On Regulating Hazardous Substances

Recognition of link between environmental and health and safety concerns

Shift in focus to substitution and pre toxicity testing away from controls

Not to rely on OELsPrimarily worker exposures

• 1998 National Pollution Prevention Strategy and Workers’ Manual on Pollution Prevention

Prior policy (1992) still focused on emission controls, on-site recycling etc.

Zero discharge of pollutants based initially on hazard assessment, not risk

Clear linkage between workers, community (environmental health), and environment

Comprehensive program including tax on corporate use of chemicals (TURI influence)

Introduced transition for workers as a core component

Collective bargaining - CLC produced a Workers’ Manual on Pollution Prevention with assistance from CELA.

• 1999 Policy on Just Transition for Workers During Environmental Change

Alternative employment for displaced workers Protection of income through unemployment insurance Support for communities to start new industries Preferential hiring for displaced workers Education and training for displaced workers Research and development for sustainable production Public investment funds for new sustainable industries and

services

• 2001 Green Jobs Creation ProjectComprehensive program describing public

investment, green taxation policy, and just transition filling in the details of the 1999 policy

Key Components

• Linking OHS with Environment• Coalitions with Environmental NGOs• Centred on Pollution Prevention not Emissions

Control• Just transition for affected workers and

communities• Support for an Active Public Policy to Create a

Sustainable Economy

Case Examples• Bargaining substitution to reduce or eliminate

worker exposures• Lobbying Government Nationally with

Environmental NGOs – Pesticide regulation– CEPA Review - pollution prevention

planning– GHS Implementation

Case Examples 2• Labour/Environment community alliances

– Banning Cosmetic Use of Pesticides– Cancer Prevention Strategies – National,

Provincial, and Municipal– Community Education - LEAS, CAW,

USWA– Community Right to Know– Extended Producer Responsibility

Challenges and Limitations

• Engages limited portion of movement so far• Federal/Provincial Division of Powers• Lack of Political Will to Regulate• Economic and Job Blackmail• Corporations and their Lobbyists• Lack of Information and Available Alternatives• Limited Resources/Other Priorities

Opportunities

• Reconnecting Worker Health with Environment and Public Health

• Labour and Environmental Coalitions• Exposing Impact of Toxic Legacies• Public Opinion• Changing Membership