DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1934 21 



WOODMEN'S EMPLOYMENT ACT 



In 1933 at certain bush camps in the North the workers became dissatis- 

 fied, alleging certain disabilities and undertaking to go on strike to assert their 

 rights and secure their demands. While the then Government undertook 

 through the Department of Lands and Forests to lend its efforts towards 

 settling matters, there was really no legal machinery that could be readily 

 put into operation. In due course, however, the disturbances, which showed 

 a tendency towards reaching extensive proportions, were ended without any 

 serious breaches of the law. 



The occurrence, however, favoured the idea of promoting legislation to 

 enable the Government, through the Minister of Lands and Forests, to in- 

 vestigate conditions in bush camps either before, during or after a strike, that 

 disturbances and strikes might be ameliorated or settled or, even better, 

 avoided. Consequently during the Session of 1934 there was passed The Wood- 

 men's Employment Act, which aimed to meet the purposes briefly recited above. 



This Act, Chap. 66, 24 Geo. V., Statues of Ontario, provides for the 

 appointment of an Inspector and enables him to investigate such questions 

 as computation of wages, hours of labour, food supplies, charges for supplies, 

 deduction for services, assessments, camp quarters, contracts, labour condi- 

 tions and such other matters respecting Woodmen's employment as may be 

 directed by the Minister or Deputy Minister of the Department. Timber 

 licensees, or those holding a right to cut Crown timber, shall be responsible 

 to the Crown for all things done or required to be done during lumbering 

 operations, whether or not such operations are being conducted directly by 

 the licensees or their agents. 



Provision is made for investigation report and recommendation to the 

 Minister, who in turn may make to the operators or the Lieutenant-Governor 

 in Council such recommendations as he may deem advisable, and any regu- 

 lations made by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council shall have the full effect 

 of law when duly published. Certain powers are vested in the Inspector 

 whereby he may make effective his investigations. No general regulations 

 have yet been made under and by virtue of this Act. 



Appointments have been made under this Act, the Chief Investigator 

 or Inspector being Mr. Thorsten Ehn, and a co-inspector Mr. Walter Wood- 

 ward. The former is a competent person of many parts, having had bush 

 experience in varied lines in Northern Europe and over fifteen years in the 

 Province of Ontario. His intimate knowledge of lumbering and pulpwood 

 operations, his skill in handling men and his humanitarianism are essential 

 qualifications for the position to which he has been entrusted. 



Mr. Woodward has for many years been closely identified with labour 

 problems and workmen in the North-western part of the Province and has 

 marked ability as a conciliator. His visitations to camps, listing men and 

 acting as mediator between employer and employee, if and when the occasion 

 arises, will, it is felt, redound to the mutual advantage of all concerned. Func- 

 tioning in this capacity he has already proved the wisdom of the Department's 

 choice. 



