February 5, 2013 – Canada’s labour ministers invite young filmmakers to submit videos to the “It’s Your Job!” workplace safety video contest.

Last September, the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of labour agreed to directly engage youth about their workplace safety and rights, and jointly launched a national social media video contest. The contest aims to raise awareness by challenging secondary school students and young people from 18 to 24 years of age to create videos demonstrating the importance of workplace safety and employment rights.

“There is a vital link between healthy, safe workplaces and Canada’s economic growth,” said Lisa Raitt, Canada’s labour minister. “By engaging and informing our younger workers, we can be confident that they will contribute to building and sustaining safe workplaces.”

Video submissions will highlight the importance of using protective equipment, complying with safety regulations, and reporting unsafe conditions, incidents, or illnesses. A panel of judges will choose the winning submissions in two categories—secondary school students and Canadian residents 18 to 24 years of age not in secondary school. The top three winners will receive cash prizes.

The videos will be posted to YouTube. Canadians will be invited to vote for their favourites from May 4 to 12, 2013, coinciding with North American Occupational Safety and Health Week.

CLICK HERE for more information on the contest, including rules and prizes.