Minimum working age in B.C. goes up to 16, some younger teens still allowed 'light work'
Changes to B.C.’s employment rules that affect teenagers come into effect this week.
Starting Oct. 15, the general working age in B.C. goes up to 16 from 12. The new regulations, first announced in July, aim to bring the province in line with international health and safety standards on jobs for kids.
However, those aged 14 and 15 are still allowed to do what the Ministry of Labour defines as “appropriate,” “light work” with permission from a parent or guardian.
“The new rules do not prevent children from babysitting or delivering newspapers part time, or students from working in a work-study or work experience class, which are among the jobs excluded from the new rules,” reads a statement from the ministry.
Jobs that the ministry considers appropriate for 14-and-15-year-olds include being a cashier, camp counsellor, lifeguard assistant, performing artist, salesperson in a store, food server, sports coach, tutor, designer and more.
Kids aged 12 and up can still work at a business or farm owned by an immediate family member as long as the work meets certain safety criteria.
There’s also a list of jobs and tasks that are now considered unsafe for youth under 16 to take on. According to the ministry, teens under 16 cannot repair heavy machinery, work in construction, handle or apply hazardous substances such as pesticides, lift or carry heavy items or animals, work inside freezers or coolers (except to take out or put an item back), or in a space designed to be oxygen-deficient or toxic. They also aren’t allowed to work in a space or with substances that are otherwise restricted to minors (such as at a bar or serving alcohol).
“These new rules bring British Columbia in line with international standards for children's employment,” the statement continues.
“Prior to these changes, B.C. was the only province in Canada whose general minimum working age was as young as 12.”
Furthermore, there are exceptions to the ministry’s definition of “light work.”
“In some cases, children aged 14 and 15 may be permitted to do work outside the definition of light work with a permit from the Ministry of Labour's Employment Standards Branch,” reads the statement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Most of the city is evacuating': Gridlock on Alberta highway after evacuation order in Fort McMurray
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday as a wildfire gets closer to the city.
Sask. police seize 1.5M pieces of evidence, lay 60 more charges in child exploitation case
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
'Inappropriate' behaviour shuts down Dublin to New York City portal
Less than a week after two public sculptures featuring a livestream between Dublin, Ireland, and New York City debuted, 'inappropriate behaviour' in real-time interactions between people in the two cities has prompted a temporary shutdown.
Oilers starting Calvin Pickard in goal for Game 4 vs. Canucks
The Edmonton Oilers will start Calvin Pickard in net Tuesday for Game 4 of their playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks.
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker rails against Pride month, working women in commencement speech
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker railed against Pride month, working women, President Biden's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and abortion during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend.
King Charles III unveils his first official portrait since his coronation
King Charles III has unveiled the first portrait of the monarch completed since he assumed the throne, a vivid image that depicts him in the bright red uniform of the Welsh Guards against a background of similar hues.
Full List Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Alberta announces the 4 health agencies that will replace AHS later this year
The province has released more information on its plan to break up Alberta Health Services and replace it with four sector-based health agencies.
Biden administration moving ahead on US$1 billion arms package for Israel, AP sources say
The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than US$1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, two congressional aides said Tuesday.