Thank you very much, Mr. Armstrong. I appreciate the question.
The labour program plays a very important part in fostering Canada's prosperity, and economic action plan 2014 was obviously a component part of that. It aims to achieve a fair, safe, and productive workplace through an efficient regulatory framework.
Effective labour relations and laws and policies, particularly in the area of occupational health and safety, help businesses succeed. Economic action plan 2014 showed that Canada has one of the best job creation records of the G-7 countries since the recession.
The federally regulated sector of employers and employees plays a vital role in this by generating economic activity and providing, quite frankly, the critical infrastructure for the Canadian economy as well as some of the essential services for our national economy. The productivity of the federal sector needs to be stable for those things to be achieved. We know, whether in the case of a port or of our national rail service, that making sure we can move goods and services across the country in a safe and stable manner means that the Canadian economy will be able to move forward.
Under part I of the Canada Labour Code, which establishes the framework for labour management relations to conduct collective bargaining—for which, as I mentioned in my opening statement, I think we have an excellent track record, with 94% of disputes being settled by mediation or otherwise—the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service aims to make labour relationships cooperative and productive, so that we have a stable environment. It has offered, through preventative mediation program services, which were expanded in budget 2011, the capacity for that stability, or a safe and healthy workplace, so that we have more productive employees who are able to contribute to the economic growth of the country.
Workplace accidents and injuries obviously have been declining because of the work that has taken place under the labour program, working with employers and employees. Fewer injuries mean a more productive workplace, which means a forward movement with respect to the Canadian economy.
We also play a role with respect to strengthening our trade relationships. As I mentioned in my opening statements, the labour cooperation agreements that we have with numerous countries facilitate and aid our expansion of our trade agenda as a country, and that can only contribute to the economic wealth of our country and the prosperity of Canadians.