Minister announces deferral of implementation of overtime regulations

Percy Barrett, Minister of Labour, today announced the deferral of implementation of overtime regulations slated to take effect April 1, 2003. The deferral comes as a response to concerns brought forward by employers and employees around the possible impact of the new regulations on certain employment sectors in the province.

"Government is committed to these new regulations and will ensure they come into effect within a reasonable and appropriate time frame," said Minister Barrett. "However, based on the large number of concerns brought forward in recent months by employers, employees and a number of other stakeholder groups, it would be impractical to go forward with the implementation date of April 1. As a government, we need to take the additional time necessary to ensure the concerns that have been raised are addressed."

"This work will be done in an expedited manner so we can implement the regulations as soon as possible. However, to rush these regulations into effect could negatively impact the very people we were hoping to help and cause undue hardship to those unintentionally captured in the legislation. Some time is needed to ensure the regulation provides benefits where it was intended while at the same time maintaining the spirit of the legislation. In the coming weeks, we will be working diligently to remedy the issues that have been identified. I invite representatives from the business and labour community to continue working with government to ensure the timely remedy of the concerns brought to light so we can ensure the proper application of the regulations."

Media contact: Janice Lockyer, Communications, (709) 729-1741.

2003 03 13                                       1:00 p.m.