Media - injured workers in the news

Media coverage, photos/video and press releases on injured workers' issues.

Injured Worker Radio Show - Hamilton & District Injured Workers Group live on 93.3 CFMU every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. To listen to past shows click on the CFMU link, then on the Programming link, and select 9:00 on Tuesday/Morning File/Program Archives. To call the studio during the airing of the show, phone (905) 528-9888. Send stories, letters or poems to: CFMU Radio Inc., Rm B119, MUSC, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4S4

2012

Jan. 24, 2012:
"Out of control" WSIB failing injured workers, Commission told (StandUp.org)
Thunder Bay and District Injured Workers Support Group tell the Commission on Quality Public Services and Tax Fairness on Monday that when the government of Mike Harris overhauled the Workers' Compensation Board almost 15 years ago through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (Bill 99), it created a complex and adversarial system that fails to meet the needs of injured working people and their families...

Jan. 18, 2012:
Injured Coast Guard employee protests cut income ⁄ Sarah Frank (Cottage Country Now)
After WSIB cut off his benefits a couple weeks before Christmas, alleging he is fit to return to his old job, Parry Sound man who says he's in too much pain to return to his former duties is left with no source on income...

2011

Dec. 22, 2011:
The grinch award? Thunder Bay injured workers picket outside the WSIB building, slamming the Board for its acceptance of recommendations in the KPMG audit report on adjudication and claims administration [video- TBnewswatch.com]

Dec. 19, 2011:
"Veterans struggle to enter public workforce" ⁄ CBC news
A priority list aimed at helping injured soldiers and employees who became disabled get jobs in the public service isn't fulfilling its mandate - being on the list stigmatizes people, making it seem they are undesirable potential employees, says Sean Bruyea...

Dec. 6-12, 2011:
Press coverage of the annual Christmas rally & protests against the KPMG audit

October 28, 2011:
"Another blow to injured worker" ⁄ Ken Ladouceur (Windsor Star)
Letter to the editor by father of a worker who suffered a severe brain injury on the job leaving him with a permanent disability. The WSIB's cuts to injured workers' benefits - introduced before the funding review has even completed its work - have taken back his son's independent living allowance. "Michael gained a disability and lost the hope for a bright future. Must he also lose his dignity?"

September 30, 2011:
Tentative deal thwarts Oakville transit strike ⁄ CP24.com
After lambasting the Transit Authority for its mistreatment of injured workers, CAW Local 1256 and the city negotiate a tenative deal. [Ratified Sunday, CAW Local president says the agreement addresses injured workers concerns].

September 29, 2011:

Protest outside London WSIB offices - Wendy Knelson speaks to injured workers' concerns

August 17, 2011:
"Injured workers protest system" ⁄ Steve Arnold (Hamilton Spectator).
Injured workers, protesting a system that pushes them into poverty, staged a sit-in at riding offices of 6 politicans, including Premier McGuinty and opposition leader Tim Hudak. ONIWG's Peter Page and the OFL's Sid Ryan were among those occupying the constituency offices and discussing adverse impacts on injured workers of both current government policies (especially deeming) and the Conservative Party's proposed WCB reforms...

August 17, 2011:
"Bartolucci backs widows in pension fight" ⁄ Tony Muma (Sudbury Star). Sudbury MPP supports the widows and families of miners who died from occupational diseases and whose survivors' benefits are being challenged by Vale Ltd. (formerly Inco)...

July 27, 2011:
Hunger striker wins right to a new hearing - After 8 days on a hunger strike outside the WCB's Toronto offices, following the OFL's intervention injured worker Jimmy Velgakis is granted a full review by the Board of his 1991 compensation claim for a work-related back injury. As his legal representative, IWC's Marion Endicott, had requested, this will be a new hearing where all of the facts can be explored, including the evidence of a witness that was previously excluded by the Tribunal. During his hunger strike, Mr Velgakis received support also from ONIWG and NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo.

July 11, 2011:
"Workplace deaths climb in Ontario" ⁄ Tony Van Alphen (Toronto Star). Recently released statistics from the Ministry of Labour show that while lost time injury claims have decreased, the number of workplace deaths jumped 16 per cent last year....

June 15, 2011:
ONIWG media release - Cuts on the back of injured workers [download pdf here]

Injured workers identify critical issues - The Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups (ONIWG) has been consulting with their members from across the province this week. While WSIB and elected Government officials have promised that solving the alleged unfunded liability issue and any resulting cuts would not be on the backs of injured workers, we are finding that WSIB policies & practices are in fact doing just that by cutting various injured worker benefits and entitlements....

June 1, 2011: Injured Workers' Day - in the news!
Extensive media coverage of this year's rallies highlighted concerns of injured workers, labour and the community at large with the current workers' compensation system:

June 1, 2011:
OFL Media Conference to Highlight Injured Workers Ignored by Government : 10 a.m. in Queen's Park Media Studio
Injured worker, Maryam Nazemi will be on hand to discuss her experiences managing her injury on her own. Workers’ compensation legal expert, Dave Wilken will join OFL President Sid Ryan in discussing the need for mandatory WSIB coverage for all workers and the social and economic benefit to the province.

May 31 ⁄ June 1, 2011:
ONIWG media advisory - Overnight vigil & Injured Workers' Day rally [Download here]

May 31st - Overnight Vigil by Injured Workers at Queen's Park
The Women of Inspiration, a local injured worker group, will begin an overnight vigil at Queen’s Park beside the front steps of the Legislature until the June 1st rally begins. Reform of the workers’ compensation system is very important to people who are suffering. Every year for the past five years they have been there to remind MPPs that many injured workers cannot sleep because they have to worry about pain and poverty.

June 1st Rally – Its Raining Cutbacks at Queen’s Park
This is the 28th anniversary of Injured Workers' Day which highlights the principle that injury should not mean poverty and celebrates working together as a community. Injured workers will speak out about cutbacks in workers compensation with skits, musicians, poets, puppets. ... For more information call: Peter Page, President, Ontario Network of Injured Worker Groups (905) 745 - 1003 Orlando Buonastella - IWC (416) 461-2411

April 28, 2011: Day of Mourning - Media coverage of ceremonies held around the province to honour workers killed or injured:

April-May, 2011
Coverage of the Board's Funding Review and public consultations

March 1, 2011
"Investigation team probes Ontario herbicide exposure" (Canadian OH&S News)
Cross-government team to investigate reports of exposure by forestry workers in northern Ontario to Agent Orange and other defoliants during the 1950s to 1970s period.

February 8, 2011
"Simplify WSIB " ⁄ Steve Mantis (Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal)
Letter to the editor from the Thunder Bay & District Injured Workers Support Group encourages all to have their say on potential impacts in the Funding Review's upcoming public consultations.

January 19, 2011
" Reflections on Russell funeral" (Toronto Star)
In a Letter to the Editor, Linda Vannucci, Lawyer/Director, Toronto Workers' Health and Safety Legal Clinic, notes that, while not minimizing the courageous role law enforcers play, "all workplace deaths are worthy of our respect and media's front page coverage. "

January 5, 2011
"Mentally ill endure chronic discrimination" ⁄ Carol Goar (Toronto Star)
Ontario Human Rights Commissioner wants to develop policies that address the real-life experiences of people with mental health disabilities, including how they are accommodated in the workplace.

2010

December 16, 2010
"Report calls for sweeping changes after scaffolding deaths" ⁄ Tanya Talaga (Toronto Star)
Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety makes 46 recommendations, including mandatory safety training for construction workers a new prevention office reporting directly to the labour minister.

December 11, 2010
"Injured workers deserve more, protesters say." ⁄ Karen McKinley (Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal).
In the face of recent unwelcome changes to the workers' compensation system, members of the Thunder Bay & District Injured Workers' Support Group ask how their MPP, Michael Gravelle, and his government plan to help them...

December 8, 2010:
ONIWG media advisory: "Injured workers' bake sale against cuts to compensation". On Friday December 10th at 11:00 a.m., injured workers will hold their 19th annual Christmas demonstration, held at this time of year to highlight the poverty and insecurity of one of Ontario’s most vulnerable groups. Despite promises that the board's "unfunded liability" will not be solved on the backs of injured workers, the government will keep injured workers benefits below the cost of living... [Text] and "Fact sheet on cost-of-living" [pdf]

October 14, 2010
" 3 charged in scaffold deaths" ⁄ Peter Edwards and Curtis Rush (Toronto Star)
The President of Metron Construction Corp. and two other officals are charged, under Bill C-45, with criminal negligence causing death in the Toronto workplace fatalities last Christmas Eve of four construction workers. (OFL response to the charges)

October 4, 2010:
ONIWG media release: "New WSIB funding review - are Ontario's injured workers on the chopping block again?" Members of Ontario’s injured worker community are worried that once again they will face benefit reductions as a result of a false financial crisis. The WSIB has never been in debt. It has a reserve fund of investments now valued at more than $14 Billion.... [Text]

September 13, 2010:
"Agricultural deaths preventable, says Justicia for Migrant Workers (J4MW)" [statement] Since 1999 there have been 33 reported deaths of migrant workers employed under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program in Ontario and 1,129 medical repatriations of SAWP migrants, J4MW notes that the numbers of migrant workplace injuries and deaths are underreported because of premature repatriations and workers dying in their home countries as a result of injuries sustained while working in Canada. The group urges the Ministry of Labour to increase workplace inspection and improve labour protection for migrant workers.

August 16, 2010:
" Survivor of scaffolding collapse suing companies, province" ⁄ Natalie Stechyson (Globe and Mail). For Dilshod Marupov, sole survivor of a workplace accident in which he and four other workers fell 13 storeys while repairing an Etobicoke apartment balcony, the pain in his head, back and legs "makes life a daily battle...Pain is my life"

August 14, 2010:
"Charges laid in scaffolding accident that killed 4 workers" ⁄ Joseph Hall (Toronto Star). Ministry of Labour lays multiple charges against Metron Construction Corporation and Swing 'N' Scaff for a workplace accident that saw five workers plunge 13 storeys from an Etobicoke building balcony.

June 25, 2010:
" Pilot program to determine if injured-worker clinic is needed " ⁄ Jodi Lundmark (tbnewswatch.com). Steve Mantis, from Thunder Bay and District Injured Workers Support Group, comments on the WSIB's one-year pilot program to provide local services with the opening of a new Occupational Health Clinic for Ontario Workers (OHCOW).

June 1st, 2010:
Injured Workers' Day : Media kit - On Tuesday injured workers will gather at 11:00 a.m. with their families, unions and advocates, outside the Ontario Legislative Assembly buildings, as they have done every year since 1983 [read the history]. Last year a survey of injured workers revealed nearly 4 times the rate of poverty in Ontario. But injured workers' requests for improvements were rebuffed by new concerns alleging poverty of the WSIB. Cuts to pain killing medication, a review of the WSIB vocational rehabilitation program, statements by the new WSIB President and Deputy Minister of Labour all express sympathy for reducing compensation for the injured. Where does that come from?

For more information call Peter Page - Ontario Network of Injured Worker Groups (905) 818-3064 or Orlando Buonastella - IWC (416) 461-2411

March 17, 2010:
Hoggs' Hollow Tragedy - a key event in the improvement of Ontario's working conditions. Today marks the 50th anniversary of the deaths of five immigrant Italian workers digging a water main tunnel at York Mills & Yonge Sts, Toronto. Trapped underground and asphyxiated when their equipment caught fire, their deaths highlighted the exploitation of immigrant workers in the 1960's and the lack of workplace safety standards in construction.

March 8, 2010:
"Workplace death sparks changes " ⁄ Julius Melnitzer (Law Times - online). Article discusses Ontario's use of Bill C-45 to bring charges of criminal negligence causing death against a corporation following a fatal workplace accident in Sault Ste Maries last Spring. Passed in 2004, there have been only 2 criminal prosecutions since under the new legislation, however the controversy over the deaths of four construction workers in Toronto on Christmas Eve has focused public attention on workplace safety...

March 4, 2010:
Fortunato Rao interviews Peter Fonseca. The retired steelworker organizer, retired WCAT worker member and full-time labour news activist will have what is sure to be an interesting radio interview with the Labour Minister on Thursday March 4th at 8 p.m. Tune in to AM radio 1610 in Toronto or, if outside Toronto, catch it on Rogers digital channel 951 or online at http://www.sanlorenzo.ca.

2009

December 24, 2009:
The tragic deaths of four construction workers in Toronto, and severe injuries of a fifth, drew attention to issues of workplace safety and inspection in the building trades.

December 8-14, 2009:
L'Express (Toronto's French weekly) covers the 18th Annual Toronto Christmas demonstration by injured workers and the issues being raised. Read more...

November 16, 2009:
"Work-related injuries are habitually underreported, G.A.O. says" ⁄ Steven Greenhouse (New York Times). The report for the U.S. Congress detailing widespread underreporting says failure to report by employers is driven by fear of increasing workers' compensation costs or losing contracts because of safety issues. Workers fail to report occupational injuries and illnesses for fear of being fired or disciplined, or causing co-workers to lose rewards offered by safety incentive programs. [Full report]

November 8, 2009
"Asbestos killing more Canadian than ever; like old landmines" ⁄ Canadian Press (CTV Canada). Article discusses the continual increase in the number of reported deaths from mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer that may take up to 40 years to emerge.

October 21-23, 2009:
The hostage-taking by an injured worker of staff in Alberta's Workers' Compensation Board offices has drawn much reaction. While not condoning such acts of violence as a solution, the commentary has also addressed the issue of workers' despair and needed reforms to provincial workers' compensation systems:

October 19, 2009:
A political fix for WSIB ⁄ Randy Hillier [blog]
Progressive Conservative MPP for Lanark, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington addresses the "bureaucratic nightmare" of a regulatory and financial burden on employers and calls for workers to be covered by private insurance...

October 13-16, 2009:
Focus on eradicating poverty (Metronews.ca series) - as the UN International Day on the Eradication of Poverty (Oct. 19) approaches, the daily commuter paper Metronews is taking a week-long look at poverty in the GTA.

September 25, 2009:
Ombudsman again takes to task [Comments] the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities for inadequate monitoring to ensure colleges, publicly-funded and private, deliver the programs they promise for recognized vocational training that will allow meaningful employment. Reports:
"Too cool for school, too " (Sep. 2009) & "Too cool for school " (July 2009)

September 17-22, 2009:
Private career colleges investigation ⁄ Brett Popplewell and Diana Zlomislic (Toronto Star). Reporters uncover the facts on private colleges for skills training that take students' money and deliver substandard - or no - education, and the failure in government oversight.

September 3, 2009:
An armageddon approach by the CFIB? WSIB Chair responds to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business news release and letter to the Minister of Labour on the state of Board finances, calling them a complete distortion of the facts and sabre rattling to get media attention and scare their membership unnecessarily...[read full response in "For the record: Clarifications about CFIB's claims"]

August 23, 2009:
"WSIB has plenty of reserves" [Letter to the editor] ⁄ John McKinnon, Injured Workers Consultants (Toronto Star). Response disputes reports (see the article below) the Board is broke, noting employers have enjoyed a premium holiday for more than a decade - injured workers have not been so fortunate....

August 20, 2009:
"Cost of insuring Ontario workplaces to go up" ⁄ James Daw (Toronto Star). Impact of poor safety records in some industries and the Board's investment losses on employers' premiums ; WCB Chair Mahoney's response on funding shortfalls and injured workers' benefits.

June 4, 2009:
"Injured workers continue fight for justice and dignity" ⁄ John Bonnar (Rabble.ca). Blog coverage of the events and speakers at the Injured Workers' Day rally at Queen's Park.

June 1, 2009:
Injured Workers' Day : 26th Anniversary
Every year on June 1st injured workers and labour activists gather at Queen's Park and other locations around the province to mark Injured Workers' Day on the anniversary of the day in 1983 when thousands came together to speak against the government's proposal to eliminate the permanent disability pension. This year, on the release of a study on the poverty of Ontario's injured workers, we call on the government to eliminate deeming, adjust workers' compensation to keep up with inflation; extend coverage to protect all workers; end the experience rating program that rewards employers who fail to report workplace injuries; restore the independence of the Appeals Tribunal.

Media kit:

April 24, 2009:
"Employers fire mothers-to-be: recession used as excuse for surge in pink slips" ⁄ Susan Pigg (Toronto Star). Article reports that human rights advocates are seeing an alarming rise in cases across the province of pregnant women being fired by employers claiming hard times as the cause. It goes on to note an increase also in complaints by fired injured workers facing the same discrimination.

April 2, 2009:
" A world of hurt: in workplace injury system, ill will on all sides" ⁄ Steven Greenhouse (New York Times). In this special series, author discusses mistrust between worker and employer; article explores the impact of reward programs and safety incentive programs, often used to cut down on the reporting of injuries and discourage workers from filing compensation claims.

March 4, 2009:
"Audit slams Ontario workplace safety rebates" ⁄ David Bruser (TheStar.com) Article notes Morneau Sobeco review for the WSIB confirms findings of the Toronto Star's investigative series, Working Wounded.

February 22, 2009:
The Silicosis Files : Everyone thought silicosis was a disease of the past - so why are miners being diagnosed with the disease today? Why is the Workers Safety Insurance Board casting doubt on their diagnoses? And why are politicians staying out of the fight? A CBC investigative report examines the struggles of lung miners to have their claims recognized and receive due compensation. [Note: Report no longer available on website]

January 24, 2009:
"A jobs program that fails" ⁄ David Bruser (TheStar.com). Toronto Star investigates the Board's Labour Market Re-entry program and asks why does it cost more to retrain an injured worker to stock shelves than it would to send him to university for four years?

2008

September 23, 2008:
"Firms with worker deaths to lose rebates: Star investigation prompts WSIB change" ⁄ David Bruser (TheStar.com). New policy denies cash rebates to companies in the year of a fatal accident.
Response:

Dear Editors:
Re: No cash for killer firms (Sept. 23) The Star's investigation of the WSIB's Experience Rating rebate program for employers is a valuable public service. The revelation that companies received millions of dollars in WSIB rebates for so called 'good safety records' at the same time as workers were killed in their employment was a loud call for action. To its credit, the WSIB has closed that particular loophole and employers will no longer get a safety rebate in the year of a fatal injury.
I would encourage The Star to continue its examination of Experience Rating. The next year after a death in the workplace, the company will come back to the trough for more rebates. It will be business as usual until the Experience Rating program is scrapped. And what about the 3,000 apparently serious injuries including amputations, broken bones and third degree burns that The Star found to be reported to the WSIB as resulting in zero days lost? (Hiding Injuries Rewards Companies, 29 May 2008)
As long as the WSIB rewards companies for not reporting lost time injuries, that is what they are going to do. When injuries are swept under the carpet and not properly counted, there is no investigation, no focus on prevention. The goal of a culture of safety is undermined. If you want to provide an incentive for companies to make their workplace safer, give the rebates to the companies that have made actual safety improvements in the workplace and don’t penalize the employers who accurately report workplace injuries. If you take action to make safer working conditions, you will ensure the safety of workers.
John McKinnon
Executive Director, Injured Workers' Consultants Community Legal Clinic

July 21, 2008:
" Labour Market Reentry - the ultimate captive student" ⁄ Jeff Rybak (Macleans OnCampus) discusses issues around retraining under the Board's LMR program and the deemed jobs that follow it. Check out the comments too.

June 29, 2008:
"Hiding injuries rewards companies: Star investigation reveals job safety numbers are underreported, cutting employer costs." ⁄ David Bruser (Toronto Star). Article finds the government's highly touted campaign to improve workplace safety is rewarding companies for hiding injuries and rushing the wounded back to work.

June 5-8, 2008:
Injured Workers' Day - "Injured workers' 25-year long battle: protesters demonstrated in front of Queen's park for their rights" ⁄ Letizia Tesi . (Tandem Online-Corriere Canadese) covers the annual June 1st rally.

May 23, 2008:
Letter to the editor: "WSIB policy penalizes employers who hire previously disabled" ⁄ Gary Robertson (Daily Commercial News. How experience rating can adversely affect construction employers who employ a worker with a pre-existing disability.

May 10, 2008:
"Stress of fight to prove injury claim blamed for man's death" ⁄ Kate Hammer (Globe and Mail). Family raises issue of injured worker's treatment at the Board. According to advocacy groups, injured workers often suffer from depression and anxiety associated with the difficulties of filing a compensation claim.

May 8, 2008:
"NDP wants WSIB program scrapped" ⁄ David Bruser (Toronto Star). Incentive plan gives rebate to some companies that have been prosecuted for safety violations. The New Democratic Party has put forward a motion calling for an audit of the experience rating program.

April 29, 2008:
"Injured workers still face real struggles"⁄ Tom Cooper (Hamilton Spectator) As injured workers and their families gather on the national day of mourning many obstacles still confront them. While many struggle financially, some employers receive generous rebates under the experience rating program which, as Marion Endicott wrote 13 years ago, undermines "the basic principles on which the compensation system is built".

April 14, 2008:
"End worker harassment." [letter to the editor] (Toronto Star). In an effort to earn rewards and avoid penalties, employers lose no time in forcing workers back to work too soon, offering them meaningless jobs or attempting to discredit their injury claims...

For more information on experience rating, and why it matters [click here]

April 10, 2008:
"WSIB rebate embarrassing, premier says" (Toronto Star). Premier responds to yesterday's press conference at Queen's Park by injured worker groups and labour groups demanding faster action on the experience rating system.

April 9, 2008:
Injured workers groups and OFL call for end to employer incentive program (Toronto Star). Press conference scheduled as the Board's response is questioned. [Press release]

April 5, 2008:
Experience rating exposed...."When companies get rewarded for mistakes"
Another article in Toronto Star's series "Working wounded" looks at flaws in the workers' compensation system.

Responses:

April 2, 2008:
WCB Chair Steve Mahoney speaks about employer rebates, the Board's controversial advertising, injuries rates, benefit indexation, costs ... on TVO's "The Agenda" [Video]

March 11, 2008:
"Risky workplaces face cash penalties" (Toronto Star). The Board announces a review of the experience rating program and immediate moratorium on rebates for companies responsible for a workplace fatality.

February 16, 2008:
Toronto Star publishes first in a series of reports [Working Wounded] from its investigation into workplace illness and injury
In "Board shields unsafe job sites" the article looks at how occupational health and safety can be compromised under the current experience rating system that rewards companies for reporting low lost-time claims.

2007

December 11, 2007:
16th Annual Injured Worker Christmas Demo
Injured workers, unions and advocates bring their issues to the new Minister of Labour, Brad Duguid, and WCB/WSIB Chair, Steve Mahoney. Speakers emphasize the 4 key demands:

[Flyer ‌ Photos | Audio (Radio4all.net)]
Click on links under "Download" (Windows Media Player) or "Play" (Realplayer)
Photos and audio courtesy of John Bonnar ⁄ Toronto Social Justice Magazine

October 2, 2007:
Injured workers betrayed by broken promises - rally on deeming
The Minister of Labour Steve Peters amended the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act with a clear written commitment that his changes would eliminate "deeming" - this practice of reducing our benefits because the Board imagines us to have phantom wages from jobs we can't get hired into, forces us onto welfare and into poverty. He promised but he didn't deliver...
[ONIWG/OFL press release]

May 28, 2007:
Injured Workers' Day (June 1, 2007) - Minister of Labour commits to abolishing phantom jobs for injured workers - will the WSIB do it?
On the 23rd anniversary of Injured Workers' Day, the WSIB is urged to follow through the Minister's intent to address injured workers' poverty with the necessary policy changes to eliminate deeming.
[ONIWG press release]

March 19, 2007:
Vigil at Queen's Park, Toronto, 12 noon - 2 p.m. : Injured workers want an end to poverty
Workers who have been permanently disabled as the result of a workplace injury or disease are falling further into poverty while MPPs give themselves a 25% raise...A 2005 research report by Street Health surveyed homeless people in Toronto and found that workplace injuries played a role in becoming disabled for 57% of working participants....
[Media advisory ‌ Street Health report ‌ 2007 Injured workers' cost of living facts & figures]

January 15, 2007:
"Out of sync" - a CBC News investigation into how workplace safety inspections are failing to cover the modern workplace environment. Despite the significant number of injury claims, safety inspections do not properly address non-traditional environments such as health care facilities, educational institutions and offices, and fail to recognize the needs of shift-workers. Audio clips discuss chronic stress and dangers to healthcare workers, including comments by Robert Storey.

2006

December 7, 2006:
Dignity - not poverty! 15th Annual Injured Worker Christmas Demonstration
Photos from the demo outside the Toronto offices of the Ministry of Labour - courtesy of John Bonner.

November 20, 2006:
Ontario Network of Injured Workers' Groups ⁄ Ontario Federation of Labour press conference

Injured workers demand McGuinty live up to his election campaign promise to protect worker benefits from inflation. He stated in a letter dated April 4, 2003 to OFL President Wayne Samuelson: "Injured workers and their dependents should not have to rely on their pensions being topped up by welfare payments. We are also studying an approach to introduce a fair inflation factor to protect worker benefits from inflation."
Injured workers say the time is now. No more excuses.
[press release ‌fact sheets

Sept. 23, 2006
Remembering Carol McGregor - champion of injured workers' rights and dear colleague
[IWC news release]

April 24, 2006
Dying for a Job (CBC series) - Today's program of the CBC's ongoing investigation on workplace safety follows the case of injured worker Halima Tato over ten months as she tries to get her compensation claim recognized by the Board and deals with the chronic pain and depression resulting from her accident. Her story also is an example of the pressures companies in Ontario feel, and place on workers, to return to work quickly to avoid lost-time injury claims. As Halima's legal representative, IWC's Marion Endicott explains, the Board's experience rating system gives Ontario businesses a financial incentive to do just this.