Can’t puff and in a huff

I think my personal rights are being curtailed due to misuse of power by the Workers Compensation Board.

In full compliance with the Workers Compensation Act, the Legion in Iqaluit erected a smoking hut for the use of its patrons. Within hours of the building’s delivery to the Legion, a sheet of thick plywood was screwed over the doorway and a sign closing the building was attached to it, signed by the compensation board.

While I fully support the board’s work in limiting worker injury, I do not see in the legislation that the board has any jurisdiction on any matter that does not involve the workplace.

It is possible that staff on break may have intended to avoid the winds by entering and smoking in this shelter, but that should not attach any liability to the employer, in my opinion.

As a smoker, as many in Nunavut are, we have been certainly put in an uncomfortable position in having to smoke outside to avoid hurting employees of establishments and to avoid irritating the non-smokers.

Fair enough, I guess, since we are not relying on the free enterprise system to offer non-smoking facilities in Nunavut.

I must offer a caution to any reader who may think that it is fair to enforce one person’s rights over those of another. This time it may be smoking as the issue. Next time it may be car exhaust for you drivers or junk food for other people. Who will stand up for your rights?

Why is all of this occurring in Nunavut? I would suggest asking your MLA if Nunavut is receiving money to enforce these laws as they did not originate here and I doubt they want to offend so many voters.

(Name witheld by request)
Iqaluit