Statement by Manitoba Federation of Labour President Kevin Rebeck regarding the Pallister government’s changes to apprenticeship ratios: 

The Pallister government has decided to make workplaces less safe for thousands of apprentices in our province. 

This government’s recent regulatory change to the minimum journeyperson to apprenticeship ratio from 1:1 to 2:1 effectively means that apprentices will receive far less on the job supervision as they learn under experienced tradespersons. This could lead to more injuries and accidents at workplaces throughout our province. 

Manitobans that work in the trades are essential to our economy, and they often work with potentially dangerous equipment and in situations where risks are heightened. 

The longstanding 1:1 ratio meant safer workplaces for Manitobans as they learned their trade from those with experience. It also ensured a higher quality of education.

This watering down of workplace safety rules moves our province in the wrong direction.