Canada's Employment, Workforce and Labour Minister has challenged workers and employers to get creative when it comes to jobs and scheduling.

MaryAnn Mihychuk thinks people can do more to think outside the box when it comes to time off and more flexible hours, while still getting the job done.

“You know this is an old idea because it is about 30 years ago when we first started talking about job sharing and flex-time but it never got implemented.”

Mihychuk says countries like Britain have taken on the challenge and found it has positive results. “What we can do is bring it in with federally regulated companies and departments but it would have to be voluntary on the part of the other sectors including municipalities.”

Minister Mihychuk spoke Monday at the annual meeting of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. She used the opportunity to stress the need to bring in the Syrian refugees and that safety and security was the number one priority.

“We are going to do a full screening and we've taken measures overseas in the camp. We are prioritizing families and children. We are not taking single males because they come with higher risks and are tougher to screen.”

She said Canadians need to know security is the number one issue and all refugees will be properly screened. Thousands are expected to start arriving in Canada in December.