SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/21/13 -- While speaking today at the Sydney Port Summit, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada's Labour Minister, highlighted the importance of Canada's international stature in the shipping sector and the importance of ensuring safe, inclusive and productive workplaces.

"We are committed to sustaining and strengthening Canada's global reputation as a reliable and efficient shipping gateway that businesses can depend on," said the Minister. "This is key to our Government's continued focus on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity."

Characterizing the workplace as the engine room of Canada's economy, Minister Raitt stressed the necessity of everyone - employers, employees, governments and organizations alike - making the right choices to meet the needs of workers, help business to prosper and create jobs. She also pointed to the benefits of building a more permanent, diverse workforce of professionals with a wide range of skills.

Hosted by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, with assistance from the Sydney Ports Corporation and the Cape Breton County Economic Authority, the summit brings together the organizations and businesses involved in developing the port. The meeting aims to examine approaches to furthering the commercialization of the port to create jobs.

The Labour Program develops, administers and enforces workplace legislation and regulations, such as the Canada Labour Code, which covers industrial relations, health, safety and employment standards for federally regulated workers and employers, and the Employment Equity Act.

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