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Research Projects

The Vulnerable Worker

Current Work

Discussion Paper

A discussion paper is being prepared that will examine the characteristics and trends of employment-related vulnerability including: persistently poor earnings, benefits and working conditions, barriers to entering and remaining in the labour market and work in the informal economy. The paper will identify and describe those groups of workers who are most vulnerable and will describe and evaluate the effects of various measures designed to address worker vulnerability.

Research in Progress

In conjunction with his work as one of the Virtual Scholars in Residence, Professor Michael Smith will be conducting research involving the use of Statistics Canada data sets for the quantitative analysis of the incidence and persistence of economic vulnerability in the Canadian labour market. It is anticipated that his Research Report will be available in the spring of 2004.

Dr. Leah Vosko will be preparing a research report for the Law Commission in which she will examine international efforts to redesign systems of social and labour protection to improve the situation of workers lacking protection. This project will take a multi-disciplinary approach drawing on sociological, statistical, policy and legal analysis to situate efforts at re-regulation in their local, national, supra-national or sector/industry context.

2003-2004 Roderick A. Macdonald Contest

In keeping with its mandate to involve Canadians and use innovative practices, the Law Commission of Canada is seeking the perspectives of high school students through its annual Roderick A. Macdonald Contest. Roderick Macdonald, the Commission's first president, firmly believed that young Canadians should be involved in improving Canada's laws.

The theme for 2003-2004 is "Is Work Working for You?" Youth are among the most vulnerable when it comes to employment in Canada. There are many laws and policies that dictate the age at which one can work, how much the pay will be and what protections and benefits will be offered. But, sometimes the laws don't go far enough. Many youth are employed in casual, contract or temporary positions that don't provide benefits or many of the employment-related protections and rights. Many youth remain unemployed. Young people are the most frequently injured on the job. They face serious discrimination and harassment in job interviews and on the job and don't know where to turn or what to do.

Through the 2003-2004 Rod. Macdonald contest, the Law Commission of Canada wants to hear the perspectives of young people regarding employment issues. Why is workplace injury so high among youth? What can be done to address the vulnerability of youth workers in the labour market?

For more information about this year's contest, see Roderick A. Macdonald Contest 2003 - 2004