Backgrounder: Administrative monetary penalties and public naming of employers

The tools available in the Canada Labour Code to address non-compliance of Part II (Occupational Health and Safety) and Part III (Labour Standards)—such as Assurances of Voluntary Compliance (AVCs), directions, payment orders and prosecution—were mostly put in place in the 1960s. While these existing tools are important and still needed, more tools are needed for situations that are more serious than can be managed with voluntary compliance measures and existing directions and orders, but not as serious as those situations where criminal prosecution is the best option. Having different tools that are appropriate for different types of situations will help the Labour Program to ensure that hard-working Canadians work in safe and healthy workplaces where their rights are respected.