SFL demands OHS fix following Canora incident

REGINA – In response to the government’s recent announcement of a multi-year occupational health & safety (OH&S) review, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour calls on the Minister of Labour to close a loophole that denied a 14-year-old worker justice following his nearly-fatal workplace poisoning.

'Wil's Amendment' is simple: update notification requirements in OH&S Regulations, ensuring these types of incidents would trigger proper investigations, penalties, and accountability.

SFL President and long-time workplace safety advocate Lori Johb notes that Wil was transported out of province for specialized treatment for near-lethal exposure to carbon monoxide. However, Saskatchewan definitions of ‘serious injury' and 'dangerous occurrence' as set by Cabinet did not prompt an investigation into the incident.

“No investigation means no fines, no penalties, no consequences for the employer," said Johb. “Even the government has conceded that these definitions may be outdated, and I couldn’t agree more.”

Johb notes that labour unions will submit this request and other OH&S feedback through the review process in the coming weeks, but Wil’s Amendment is too important to sit on. “The Minister could make Wil’s Amendment happen today – and we’re hopeful he won’t delay.”

The SFL first responded to Wil’s incident in May 2024; Johb continues to call for hefty consequences for anyone responsible for a serious workplace incident.

Wil’s Amendment is an SFL proposal, in collaboration with the young worker’s family.