Saturday communities around the province gathered in solidarity on June 1st for the 41st time to raise public awareness of the ongoing fight for injured worker justice that delivers the fair and humane treatment Meredith Royal Commission envisioned for Ontario’s new workers comp system. Injured Workers Day commemorates the historic 1983 success of class action in having the injured workers’ voice heard in public hearings on a workers’ compensation bill attacking pensions. It also celebrates recent victories and calls on the strength of united action by the injured worker movement to fight back against decades of cuts to benefits and services. [ONIWG media release]
In a welcome piece of news ahead of June 1st – with injured workers watching on from the gallery, on Thursday Bill 118, introduced in 2023 by Jamie West (NDP) to officially recognize June 1st as Injured Workers Day in Ontario, finally received second reading [read Hansard of MPPs’ support]. It has been referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs for further debate.
Honouring an injured worker activist
At Saturday’s rally in front of the steps of Queen’s Park – a place where he has made many appearances! – social justice activist Richard Hudon received an award recognizing his lifelong and ongoing commitment to the injured worker fight for fair compensation.
Due to a horrific work accident as carpenter’s apprentice in 1961, Richard ‘lost’ his leg at age 17 and gained first-hand experience in dealing with the workers’ compensation system. In his advocacy he has drawn on a background in community organizing as social animator at Algonquin College; mobilizing workers to demand their rights (as in the Hawkesbury Amoco strike); and in using popular education techniques when leading a provincial government initiative to address Franco-Ontarian literacy needs.
An inspiration to many, his decades of activism have included numerous appearances at public events and educational skits. Who can forget his Santa Claus at December rallies outside the Ministry of Labour, the chains of (WSIB) shame costume, his role as ER patient on stretcher on the steps of the Legislative Asembly protesting medical provisions of Bill 99 … While the tactics are sometimes unorthodox, when delivered with Richard’s disarming humour they reinforce the underlying serious message behind them to both the public and policymakers. More recently he and fellow activist Peter Page initiated annual Justice for Injured Workers Bike Rides , sponsored by the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups, meeting with local citizens and municipal leaders across the province to raise public awareness of workers’ compensation issues. His familiar recumbent cycle (once ridden across America in a tour with injured veterans) has headed many local injured workers processions, where his warmth, sense of fun and relatability regularly draws in spectators.
Whether contributing to injured worker research, advocating for Franco-Ontarian rights, participating in conferences, attending a Supreme Court hearing on chronic pain, presenting to Standing Committees on proposed legislation or serving as Board member of Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic, Richard brings his intellect and experience.
With fierce determination, compassion and bonhomie he continues actively working to improve the situation of injured workers. We who are privileged to know or work with Richard applaud this well-deserved recognition.