The Department of Labour was re-created in 1975 by means of the passage and proclamation of The Department of Manpower and Labour Amendment Act, 1975 (2nd), c. 14. The department was dissolved again May 26, 1999.

Functional responsibility:
The Department of Labour was responsible for the administration of provincial government programs regarding labour-management relations, conditions of employment, apprenticeship training and certification, the accreditation of trade schools and employment agencies, the safe construction and operation of elevators and fixed conveyances, electrical, gas and plumbing installations, and pressure vessels, the enforcement of laws and regulations regarding fire safety, the inspection and licensing of theatres and public halls, the examination and licensing of film projectionists, the registration of professional and occupational associations, consumer protection, oversight of the Workers' Compensation Board, and the maintenance and protection of human rights in Alberta.

In 1979, responsibility for workplace safety and oversight of the Workers' Compensation Board was transferred to the Minister responsible for Workers' Health, Safety and Compensation. The Board was transferred back to the Department of Labour in 1993.

In 1981, responsibility for inspection and licensing of theatres and public halls and for the examination and licensing of film projectionists was transferred to the joint administration of the Provincial Treasurer and the Minister of Culture.

In late 1992, responsibility for the registration of professional and occupational associations and the Professions and Occupations Bureau was transferred to the Department.

In 1995, the Department delegated responsibility for the administration and delivery of safety programs related to boilers and pressure vessels to the Alberta Boilers Safety Association, a non-profit organization registered under the Societies Act. Also in 1995, the Department delegated responsibility for the administration and delivery of safety programs related to petroleum storage tanks as required under the Alberta Fire Code to the Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta, a non-profit organization registered under the Societies Act.

In 1996, the Department delegated responsibility for administration of safety programs related to elevating devices and amusement rides to the Alberta Elevating Devices and Amusement Rides Safety Association, a non-profit organization registered under the Societies Act. Also in 1996, the Department delegated responsibility for administration of safety programs related to propane powered vehicles to the Alberta Propane Vehicle Administration Organization, an organization incorporated under the Business Corporations Act. In 1998, the agency headed by the Minister of Labour was renamed the Ministry of Labour. The principal component of the Ministry was the Department of Labour, which continued to be responsible for the planning, development, administration and delivery of programs under its mandate. The Ministry also contained the Workers Compensation Board, the Workers' Compensation Board Appeal Commission, the Occupational Health and Safety Council, the Safety Codes Council, the Council on Professions and Occupations, and the Health Disciplines Board.

The Minister of Labour was responsible for the administration of the following acts.
General:
Department of Labour Act
Department of Manpower and Labour Act
Government Organization Act, Schedule 10
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (1997-1999)
Public Service Act (1986-1992 only)
Alberta Advisory Council on Women's Issues Act (1989-1992 only)
Women's Secretariat Act (1989-1992 only)

Labour-management relations and conditions of employment:
Alberta Labour Act, 1973
Burial of the Dead Act (1984-1999 only)
Employment Pension Plans Act
Employment Standards Act
Employment Standards Code
Firefighters and Policemen Labour Relations Act
Health Services Continuation Act
Industrial Wages Security Act
Labour Relations Act
Labour Relations Code
Pension Benefits Act
Police Officers' Collective Bargaining Act
Public Service Employee Relations Act (1993-1999 only)

Worker's compensation:
Blind Worker's Compensation Act (to 1979, 1993-1999 only)
Blind Workmen's Compensation Act
M.L.A. Compensation Act (to 1979, 1993-1999 only)
Workers' Compensation Act (to 1979, 1993-1999 only)

Apprenticeship training and certification:
Apprenticeship Act (1959-1972 only)
Trade Schools Regulation Act (1959-1972 only)

Certification of employment agencies:
Employment Agencies Act (to 1976 only)

Workplace and public safety:
Alberta Uniform Building Standards Act
Amusements Act (sections relating to amusement licensing and taxes, inspection of facilities, and licensing of projectionists, to 1981 only)
Atomic Energy Control Act (Canada)
Factories Act
Boilers and Pressure Vessels Act
Boilers and Pressure Vessels Act, 1975
Electrical Protection Act
Elevators and Fixed Conveyances Act
Fire Prevention Act
Gas Protection Act
Lightning Rod Act
Occupational Health and Safety Act (1976-1979, 1993-1999 only)
Plumbing and Drainage Act
Public Health Act (relating to the Industrial Health Services Division: section 7, subsection (1), clauses 28 and 50; section 7, subsections (2) and (3), and sections 44, 50, and 51)
Radiation Protection Act (1975-79, 1993-1999 only)
Radiological Technicians Act (Part 2 only, 1975-1979, 1986-1999 only)
Safety Codes Act

Professions and occupations:
Certified General Accountants Act (1988-1989, 1992-1999 only)
Certified Management Accountants Act (1988-1989, 1992-1999 only)
Chartered Accountants Act (1988-1989, 1992-1999 only)
Chiropractic Profession Act (1987-1989, 1992-1999 only)
Dental Disciplines Act (1992-1999 only)
Dental Mechanics Act (1992-1999 only)
Forestry Profession Act (1987-1989, 1992-1999 only)
Health Disciplines Act (1992-1999 only)
Occupational Therapy Profession Act (1992-1999 only)
Opticians Act (1992-1999 only)
Pharmaceutical Association Act (1992-1999 only)
Podiatry Act (1992-1999 only)
Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act (1992-1999 only)
Psychology Profession Act (1987-1989, 1992-1999 only)
Social Workers Act (1992-1999 only)

Human rights protection:
Human Rights Act (from 1968)
Provincial Human Rights Code
Individual's Rights Protection Act (to 1993 only)

Consumer protection:
Consumer Affairs Act (1971-1972 only)

Predecessor and successor bodies:
The first predecessor of the Department of Labour was the Department of Industries and Labour. Between 1972 and 1975, the functions of the Department of Labour were the responsibility of the Department of Manpower and Labour.

After the dissolution of the Ministry of Labour in 1999, its programs formed one of the principal components of the new Ministry of Human Resources and Employment.

Administrative relationships:
The Ministry of Labour reported to the Legislative Assembly through the Minister of Labour. As well, a number of semi-independent agencies reported either to the Minister or through him to the Legislative Assembly. These agencies included the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board, the Alberta Human Rights Commission, the Women's Secretariat, the Alberta Advisory Council on Women's Issues, the Labour Relations Board, the Public Service Employee Relations Board, the Personnel Administration Office, the Health Disciplines Board, the Registrar of Registered Professional and Occupational Associations, the Alberta Building Standards Council, the Fire Prevention Council, the Safety Codes Council, the Occupational Health and Safety Council, Workers' Compensation Board, and the Workers' Compensation Board Appeals Commission. Information on these agencies may be found in their respective sous-fonds descriptions.

Administrative structure: Until 1991, the following branches were responsible for administering the various programs of the Department:

• Labour force research: Labour Research Section (Labour Research and Immigration Division), Service Research (Planning Secretariat), Labour Research Branch
• Planning and program development: Planning Secretariat, Labour Management Services, Research and Planning Branch
• Industrial relations: Board of Industrial Relations, Labour Relations Branch, Conciliation and Mediation Services, Mediation Services Branch
• Labour standards creation and enforcement: Board of Industrial Relations, Labour Standards Branch, Employment Standards Branch
• Pension benefits programs registration and supervision: Pension Benefits Branch
• Apprenticeship training and certification: Apprenticeship and Tradesmen's Qualification Branch
• Trade schools regulation: Trade Schools Regulation Branch
• Employment offices regulation: Board of Industrial Relations
• Building standards enforcement: Building Standards Branch
• Boiler and pressure vessel inspection: Boilers Branch
• Electrical inspection: Electrical Protection Branch
• Elevators and fixed conveyance inspection: Elevators and Fixed Conveyances Branch
• Fire inspection and investigation: Fire Prevention Branch
• Gas installation inspection: Gas Protection Branch, Plumbing & Gas Safety Services Branch
• Plumbing installation inspection: Plumbing Inspection Branch, Plumbing & Gas Safety Services Branch
• Theatres inspection and certification of projectionists: Amusements Branch
• Human rights programs: Human Rights Branch, Human Rights Commission
• Workplace health and safety: Occupational Health and Safety Division

Beginning in 1991, the Department of Labour went through a number of administrative reorganizations. Effective April 1, 1991, the Labour and General Safety Services Divisions were merged to form the new Work and Safety Standards Division. The Employment Standards Branch was renamed the Work Standards Branch. The new Safety Standards Branch incorporated all the programs of the former General Safety Services Division. The Employment Pensions Branch was also part of this Division.

A new unit, the Client Services Division, was created to deliver departmental programs across the province. Regional offices were opened in Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary. District offices were opened in Peace River, Fort McMurray, Edson, St. Paul, Vermilion, Camrose, Drumheller, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. These offices became responsible for delivery of programs related to employment standards, boiler and pressure vessel safety, plumbing and gas safety, electrical safety, building safety, and elevator and fixed conveyance safety. The Mediation Services Branch and the Office of the Provincial Fire Commissioner were also placed in this Division.

A second new unit, the Issues Management Group, was formed to facilitate long-term planning, program development and inter-agency liaison activities. This group included the Information Services and Communications branches. The other branches of the former Support Services Division now reported directly to the Deputy Minister.

In 1992, the Work and Safety Standards Division was merged into the Client Services Division. The Safety Standards Branch was renamed the Technical Services Branch and absorbed the Work Standards Branch. At this time, the Mediation Services Branch was moved to the Issues Management Division.

In 1992, responsibility for the registration of professional and occupational associations was transferred to the Department. This resulted in the creation of the Professions and Occupations Division. In 1993, responsibility for occupational health and safety programs returned to the Department of Labour. This resulted in the re-creation of the Occupational Health and Safety Division. In 1995, the Issues Management Division and Regional Services portion of the Client Services Division were merged to form the new Issues and Regional Management Division. This Division became responsible for planning and coordination for all program areas. The remainder of the former Client Services Division, the Occupational Health and Safety Division, the Professions and Occupations Division, the Employment Standards Branch, and the former Finance and Administration Branch were merged to form the new Professional and Technical Services Division.

In 1997, administration of the Department's core programs was reorganized into two new divisions. The Workplace Health, Safety and Strategic Services Division was responsible for occupational health and safety, mediation services, planning and research, and inter-agency liaison. The Technical and Safety Services Division was responsible for safety services, the Office of the Fire Commissioner, registration of professional and occupational associations, employment standards, employment pensions, and regional services. At this time, the Information Management and Privacy Branch was created to administer the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Communications, Human Resources, and Business Management Branches continued to report directly to the Deputy Minister. This administrative structure remained unchanged until the dissolution of the Ministry in 1999.

Names of chief officers:
Ministers of Labour:
Raymond Reierson (Sept. 1, 1959-Sept. 9, 197)
Albert E. Hohol (Sept. 10, 1971-June 1, 1972)
Neil S. Crawford (Apr. 3, 1975-Mar. 22, 1979)
Leslie G. Young (Mar. 23, 1979-May 25, 1986)
Ian W.C. Reid (May 26, 1986-Sept. 7, 1988)
Richard D. Orman (Sept. 8, 1988-Apr. 13, 1989)
Elaine J. McCoy (Apr. 14, 1989-Dec. 14, 1992)
Stockwell B. Day (Dec. 15, 1992-May 30, 1996)
Murray D. Smith (May 31, 1996-May 26, 1999)

• boiler and pressure vessel engineer examination and certification,
• boiler and pressure vessel safety,
• building inspection,
• building standards development,
• electrical safety,
• elevators and fixed conveyances safety,
• fire prevention,
• fire and arson investigation,
• investigation of certain accidents,
• licensing distributors of lightning rods,
• licensing film projectionists,
• plumbing and gas installation inspection,
• employment standards creation, administration and monitoring,
• labour mediation services,
• occupational health and safety programs,
• private sector pension registration,
• professional and occupational association registration, and
• union certification and administration of collective agreements.

The fonds consists of administrative and operational records of the Minister of Labour, the Deputy Minister and various Assistant Deputy Ministers, the Administrative Services, Boilers, Building Standards, Communications, Electrical Protection, Elevators and Fixed Conveyances, Employment Pensions, Employment Standards, Finance and Administration, Fire Prevention, Gas Protection, Labour Standards, Mediation Services, Personnel, Planning and Research, Plumbing and Gas Safety branches, as well as from the Occupational Health and Safety Division, and the Office of the Fire Commissioner. The fonds also contains the records of the Industrial Health and Safety Commission, the Grande Cache Commission, the Alberta Building Standards Council, and the Alberta Fire Prevention Council.

The fonds contains correspondence, a variety of types of case files containing correspondence, application forms, reports, blueprints and other types of support material, administrative subject files, reports and statistics, collective agreements, minutes and agendas of various committees, regulations, legislation and codes, drafts of legislation and regulations, examination papers, registry books, press releases, publications, briefing materials, and manuals.

The records have been arranged into the following series:

• Collective bargaining agreements

The fonds also includes the following sous-fonds:

• Alberta Building Standards Council sous-fonds
• Fire Prevention Council sous-fonds
• Public Service Employee Relations Board sous-fonds