Occupational disease

“We went from not knowing to not caring”

December 19, 2016

“Lethal legacy: Peterborough’s toxic past” / Sara Mojtehedzadeh (Toronto Star, Dec. 17, 2016) This in-depth study provides a disturbing look at the aftermath of General Electric (GE) Peterborough plant workers’ exposure to a “toxic soup” of human carcinogens – and at barriers…

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Groups welcome asbestos ban but more to be done

December 19, 2016

“Canada’s move to ban asbestos a ‘win for public health’ but long overdue: advocates” / Tavia Grant (Globe and Mail, Dec. 15, 2016) In announcing a comprehensive ban on asbestos use by 2018, the federal government has responded to years of lobbying…

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Where’s the action on asbestos?

September 7, 2016

This past Labour Day, Canadian Labour of Congress president Hassan Yussuff celebrated union gains, highlighted current workplace challenges, including precarious work – and repeated the call for a ban on asbestos. Almost 152,000 Canadian workers are exposed in their jobs to asbestos…

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Fifth Estate follows up the Powder Keg

February 2, 2016

“The deadly dust that’s killing old miners” / Lindsay Kelly (Northern Ontario Business, Jan. 22, 2016) Before starting his daily shift at the Quirke II uranium mine in Elliot Lake, Jim Hobbs was required to inhale a fine aluminum dust, known as…

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Peterborough workers fighting back against rejected claims

September 21, 2015

“Group holds public meeting to fight back against rejected WSIB claims by ill General Electric workers ” / Jessica Nyznik (Peterborough Examiner, Sep. 17, 2015) Occupational and Environmental Health Coalition-Peterborough meeting with former GE employees, many of whose claims (including asbestosis and…

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Protecting victims of occupational disease

May 12, 2015

Oshawa MPP Jennifer French (NDP) introduced a private member’s bill last Thursday aimed at closing loopholes in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act “that penalize victims and their families”. The Protecting Victims of Occupational Disease Act, 2015 (Bill 98) amends s. 43…

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Asbestos awareness

April 1, 2015

April 1-7 marks National Asbestos Awareness Week in the United States. With National Day of Mourning approaching (April 28th), it is a timely reminder that asbestos is far and away the leading cause of occupational death in Canada, accounting for 2,268 deaths…

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Investigative report on the Canadian asbestos epidemic

June 14, 2014

“No safe use: the Canadian asbestos epidemic” / Tavia Grant (Globe and Mail, Jun. 14, 2014) Six-part investigative report on asbestos, the number one source of workplace deaths in Canada, responsible for over 2,200 between 2007-2012 primarily from mesothelioma and asbestosis. This…

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