New Brunswick considering further restrictions on youth employment

The Government of New Brunswick is considering amending the province’s Employment Standards Act where it pertains to youth employment.

Possible changes to the act could result in restrictions being placed on how many hours teens can work,  and could prohibit youth under 16 years old from working certain part-time jobs all together.

In an email statement to Global News, New Brunswick Minister of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour Donald Arseneault says no decisions have been made.  The government hosted stakeholder consultations in the fall regarding the act and youth employment protection and Areseneault says the feedback is still being reviewed.

“It is important to ensure that we protect all of our workers and are in line with the standards and best practices of other Canadian jurisdictions,” Arseneault said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It is important to ensure that we protect all of our workers and are in line with the standards and best practices of other Canadian jurisdictions," Arseneault said.

He says public input on the government’s proposals is important when it comes to striking a balance between employer and employee rights and responsibilities.

Fourteen-year old Elizabeth Campbell works at a Fredericton entertainment centre helping with birthday parties.  She says she successfully balances her grade nine school work and her job.  Campbell says she enjoys spending her time at work and is saving up to buy herself a laptop.

“For me, I work as hard as I can and I like my job and I appreciate it, so I think it’s better for people my age to have jobs,” Campbell said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "For me, I work as hard as I can and I like my job and I appreciate it, so I think it's better for people my age to have jobs," Campbell said.

She says she discussed it with her parents beforehand and there were no major concerns.  Campbell says she also uses the money she earns to go out for lunch with her friends during the week.

Restaurants Canada Vice President Luc Erjavec says the government is looking at potentially changing the act so that anyone under the age of 16 wouldn’t be able to work, and people between 16- and 17-years old would have restrictions on the hours they are able to work.

READ MORE: Canada signs international treaty aimed at reducing child labour

Erjavec says Restaurants Canada has expressed their concern to government.

He says having a part-time job helps students build-up their resumes, teaches work ethic and provides them with extra money to save up for things they want to buy.

“If it came forward, there would be thousands of kids in the province that would lose their jobs tomorrow because you wouldn’t be able to hire someone who’s 15-years old to work,” Erjavec said.