Hon. Katherine Hay: Secretary Zerucelli, we have not yet met, so it is nice to meet you in this context.

Last week, The Plan for a Stronger Canada made it clear that economic security comes first. I mostly agree, noting that there are many facets to economic security, an important one of which is workers’ rights. Canada’s workforce is living through a period of enormous change. Technology is transforming how we work — as it always has — yet, the speed and nature of technology and AI today put us in somewhat uncharted territory. It is very unsettling to many.

Mr. Secretary, what is the government doing to ensure that Canadian workers have the training and support they need to adapt and find good-quality jobs to help the economy of the future?

Hon. John Zerucelli, P.C., M.P., Secretary of State (Labour): Thank you very much for that question.

We are facing a number of challenges in our country. You correctly note that the technologies are rapidly changing. I think about a trip that I just made to Fort McMurray, in the oil sands. Four hundred operating engineers operated those long, heavy-haul trucks. Those haul trucks are now fully automated; they travel using computers. There has been a workforce reduction there because not as many drivers are needed. Nevertheless, you do need people to help maintain them. That is something that is happening very rapidly.

We have to ensure that we, as a country, have a worker-first AI policy. You should know that I have joined with Senator Yussuff and the Minister of AI to create an AI labour advisory council. It has representatives from 12 unions, whose members are providing us with advice to ensure that workers have a voice in how artificial intelligence is introduced into the Canadian workplace. They will provide direct advice to the government. I would also note that Minister Hajdu has struck a number of Workforce Alliances —

[Translation]

The Hon. the Speaker: Thank you, secretary of state.