Northern OT Exemption Consultations Resume
Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 16:12
The provincial government kicks off another round of consultation meetings this evening regarding the northern overtime exemption.
NDP MLA Ron Harper has been appointed to review the controversial labour legislation that allows employers to avoid paying overtime to workers in most areas of the North.
In meetings held earlier this month in northwest Saskatchewan, Harper says the overwhelming majority of participants wanted to see the measure scrapped — including some businesspeople.
Harper will host a public meeting in Creighton this evening, before visiting Sandy Bay, Pelican Narrows and Pinehouse later this week.
He says a number of groups and individuals are not comfortable with discussing their concerns in a public meeting and have requested a private audience with him — a request Harper has no problem accommodating.
Harper has more public consultation meetings scheduled throughout the North over the next couple of weeks.
He is expected to report his findings to the Calvert government later this fall.
Meanwhile, a spokesman with the Athabasca Economic Planning Committee says more research needs to be done into the pros and cons of eliminating the overtime Exemption before the legislation is changed.
Glen Strong says business growth in the Far North will be critically altered if the legislation is eliminated.
He says the Far North has the highest cost of living in the province and workers’ salaries should reflect that, but the change should not discourage the establishment of new business.
Strong believes the exemption change will not only discourage business development in the Far North, it will also alter contracts in mining communities.
Strong says his group has spoken with several entrepreneurs interested in developing the Far North and many feel the overtime exemption is a draw because it helps