b'CHAPTER UPDATESBRITISH COLUMBIA UPDATEIn British Columbia, the minimum wage is currently$15.20perTo improve health and safety, B.C. will also be:hour (as of June 1, 2021) but will increase to $15.65 onraising the maximum annual salary amount on June1,2022.which workers compensation benefits are based;In addition, British Columbia now has paid sick leave, whichauthorizing WorkSafeBC to provide preventative medical will offer five paid sick days per calendaryear, paid for by thetreatment before a claim is accepted;industry.Prior to January 1, 2022, more than one million workersgiving the court powers to issue WorkSafeBC search-and-in B.C. did not have access to paid sick leavemostly those inseizure warrants that are appropriate for investigating workplace low-wage jobs, who are often women or BIPOC workers. The newsafety infractions; andpaid sick leave protection applies to all workers covered by thegiving people a voice in serious workplace prosecutions and Employment Standards Act, including part-time employees. trials by using victim impact statements.ATLANTIC CANADA UPDATEIn Atlantic Canada, like everywhere else in the world, the last twoThere is an emphasis on practicalprojects in a safe, years have been challenging. Restrictions are now being lifted, andcontrolledenvironment,as well as strict theoretical and we are trying to find our way in a post-COVID-19 world. Althoughpractical testing requirements that must achieve a passing the Atlantic Canada bubble was a success, the industry was stillgrade to progress. Workers that participate in training impacted, especially in the industrial sector where social distancingprograms offeredthroughthe Carpenters Union Training was a challenge. The commercial markets continue to grow with theCentres in Atlantic Canada have shown increased skill and new challenge of a labour shortage. competency levels, as well as confidence working in all Scaffold industry and access contractors in Atlantic Canadakinds of environments with all types of scaffold material continue to be committed to safety and training their workers. Theand configurations. They learn proper material estimation Atlantic provinces Carpenters Union Training Centres have highlytechniques, contributory areas for leg load considerations, as structured training programs that focus on safety, skill developmentwell as duty ratings, proper spans and material requirements. and productivity. The programs offeredfollow CSAZ797 standardsTheir skills are put to the test every day throughout Atlantic for scaffolding, with a heavy focus on provinciallegislation andCanada for everything from residential to commercial and large instruction for all types of scaffolding used in Canada.industrial operations. QUBEC UPDATEMARKET OVERVIEWDEADLY ACCIDENT IN WINDSOR, QUBECAQIEA (Association Qubcoise de lIndustrie de lchafaudageTwo workers died after a scaffold collapsed during a shutdown at et de lAccs) members are busy. Construction season isDomtar pulp and paper mill in Windsor, Qubec. Workers were booked in all sectors (commercial, institutional and industrial).erecting scaffolding in a 60-m-high silo when it collapsed. Both Infrastructure investments are also going strong, keeping thewere trapped in debris, making the rescue tricky. Bodies were found forecast good for next year (at least). With COVID-19 restrictionshours after the accident. An investigation is under way. AQIEA held lifting slowly, the summer outlook is positive, although manpowera quick assembly to discuss lessons learned, and further talks will is a challenge for everyone. happen after the accident report is published by the authorities.20THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SCAFFOLD INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA'