Law Reform

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A look-back on 2021

December 30, 2021

In leaving 2021 behind, a round up of selected events from the past year that underscore increased awareness of social and health inequities that face too many workers and their families; the power of solidarity and support, collaboration and compassion among the…

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IWC makes recommendations to Standing Committee on changes to Bill 27 (surplus funds distribution)

November 17, 2021

Orlando Buonastella and Kathrin Furniss from Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic were among those making presentations today at public hearings before the Standing Committee on Social Policy on Bill 27 (Working for Workers Act, 2021) . Specifically, they spoke to the Committee…

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Registration deadline Wed. Nov 10 for public hearings on Bill 27 (WSIB surplus distribution)

November 9, 2021

Schedule 6 of Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021 amends the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act to allow distribution of “surplus” funds. The Bill has now been referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy for public (virtual) hearings Nov. 15-18.…

Continue Reading Registration deadline Wed. Nov 10 for public hearings on Bill 27 (WSIB surplus distribution)

Remembering Katherine Lippel

October 5, 2021

Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic was saddened to learn of the death of Dr Katherine Lippel, Distinguished Research Chair in Occupational Health & Safety Law at the University of Ottawa, widely respected for her commitment to employment law that advanced workers’…

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Calling for occupational disease reform

September 9, 2021

A recent National Observer investigation detailed how an Ontario paper mill poisoned nearby First Nations and their decades-long fight for environmental justice. The toxic chemicals and contaminants also had long-term and grave impacts for construction workers at the Dryden Mill. A report…

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Bancroft videos now available

August 14, 2020

The Bancroft Institute for Studies on Workers’ Compensation and Work Injury, like everyone, is adapting to the new realities of COVID-19. We are hard at work putting together a set of high quality events online, and we will have information about…

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Legal aid reforms – Committee hearings adjourned

March 21, 2020

Bill 161 has completed second reading and was supposed to go to public hearings before the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Justice Policy the week of March 23rd. However, due to COVID-19 all Standing Committees now remain adjourned “until the Government House Leader…

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Upcoming Bancroft session on injured workers and international human rights law

February 24, 2020

In September of last year, the Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups presented a submission to the United Nations that the practice of “deeming” in Canadian workers’ compensation systems is a violation of human rights under the UN Convention on the Rights…

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How to reduce poverty?

January 21, 2020

December 2019 the Ontario government announced a consultation on the next five-year Poverty Reduction Strategy. According to Ministry figures, one in seven Ontarians live in poverty. Several recent reports provide a closer look at the social and economic dimensions of poverty.…

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The year in review

December 31, 2019

A look back at some of the events and issues impacting injured workers this past year: January Minister of Labour launches review of occupational cancer to be led by Dr Paul Demers, with report due by the end of November. Experts call…

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