West passes bill designating June 1 Injured Workers Day in Ontario

QUEEN'S PARK - Jamie West, MPP for Sudbury and Labour critic for the Ontario NDP passed his Private Member’s Bill to officially recognize June 1 of each year as Injured Workers Day in Ontario. This is 41 years in the making, and a huge win for injured workers around the province!

In 1983, the provincial government committee was working on major changes to Ontario’s worker compensation system. At that time, more than 3,000 injured workers came to Queen’s Park to be heard. The committee responded by holding deputations on the front steps of the Legislature. That day was June 1, 1983, the very first unofficial Injured Workers Day.

Although Injured Workers Day has been unofficially acknowledged every year since then, it has never been formally recognized by the province, until now, with the passing of Bill 118.

“When workplace injuries occur, it takes away so much more than just the ability to support yourself and your family financially. A workplace injury can steal a workers’ pride, their connection to the working community, and often their identity. It is for those reasons, and more, that setting aside a day to officially recognize injured workers and commit to addressing the impacts of workplace injuries is a significant step forward,” said West. “It is also a first step to confronting and resolving complex problems and presenting an opportunity to talk about what our workers need. Passing a bill proclaiming Injured Workers’ Day encourages these talks.”

ADDITIONAL QUOTES:

MPP Lise Vaugeois, NDP critic for WSIB

Injured Workers’ Day recognizes the contributions and sacrifices of people injured or made ill on the job. It also reminds us of our responsibility, as legislators, to ensure that all financial, medical, and psychological supports are in place so that workers, made ill or injured through the workplace, can adapt to their changed circumstances, and live with dignity, without the fear of falling into poverty.

ONIWG President Janet Paterson

“June 1st has been an important date since 1983 when 3000+ injured workers and allies attended Queen’s Park to push for legislation to protect their workers compensation pensions for life. We thank MPP Jamie West, who has addressed a long outstanding oversight, and the legislative assembly for passing this significant bill. We look forward to celebrating the first official Injured Workers Day on June 1, 2025, our 42nd gathering, and the day when other significant issues at WSIB are addressed.” -

Jessica Montgomery, President, Sudbury & District Labour Council (SDLC) and Injured Workers Advocate

"Recognizing June 1st as Injured Workers Day is essential to honour the resilience and courage of those who have suffered workplace injury or illness. It is also a chance to call on the province to establish fundamental protections for those who have been injured or made ill on the job.  These fundamental protections should include: WSIB coverage for all workers regardless of status, unrestricted access to healthcare, a ban on deeming/phantom jobs, respect for medical professionals' opinions, and safeguards for older workers.”

Andréane Chenier, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)

“The best way to tackle and solve complex issues is by talking about them. This bill that designates a day of recognition for injured workers encourages these dialogues”

Sean Staddon, Workers Compensation Officer, USW 6500

“USW Local 6500 welcomes MPP West’s new bill that will finally recognize the struggle injured workers face. For decades, our union has been fighting to make it socially unacceptable to die, be injured, or become ill on the job. Injured workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. This bill is the first step towards recognition and hopefully sparks real reform at the Workplace Safety Insurance Board.”

Janice Martell, McIntyre Powder Project

"Our working lives provide us with much more than income, and workplace injuries take away much more than the ability to feed our families. We lose pride, connection, engagement, and meaning. Setting aside a day to officially recognize injured workers and commit to addressing the impacts of workplace injuries is a significant step toward healing."