June 1st marks Injured Workers Day, highlighting numerous workers suffering significant, life-altering injuries on the job.
In 2022, the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada recorded 348,747 lost time claims. This figure represents the latest year with complete data.
Alarmingly, this number excludes those who choose not to report injuries or face illegal pressure from employers.
On the Day of Mourning, Canada’s unions demanded “Safe work now!”, urging immediate action from employers and governments. They emphasized the need for truly safe working conditions for all.
Ensuring Workplace Safety a Call to Action
“Every workplace injury is preventable,” says Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “These injuries—whether physical or psychological—should never be seen as ‘part of the job.’ Employers have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure workers remain safe and unharmed.”
To ensure every worker returns home safely at the end of each day, Canada’s unions demand action from all government levels:
- Hold criminally negligent employers accountable through proactive enforcement of the Westray Law for both fatalities and injuries.
- Take substantive action to ensure workers know about workplace hazards, regardless of the products they use.
- Develop and implement comprehensive strategies to remove toxic substances from workplaces.
- Ensure every workplace is free from violence and harassment.
- Increase proactive workplace health and safety investigations and strengthen the enforcement of health and safety laws.
“Workers’ compensation systems must provide fair and transparent compensation,” says Bruske. “Easy access to rehabilitation and vocational services is also essential.”
Workers demand that governments support them, allowing them to get back on track. Bruske emphasizes, “Any shirking of responsibility for injured workers by employers and governments is simply unacceptable. It’s time for safe work, now.”