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Peter:
In December of last year, the Federal Government banned the
import and use of asbestos, which was an important step forward.
Now, we are dealing with the legacy of asbestos and are pushing
for a comprehensive strategy to deal with this problem. One key
part of that strategy is to create a registry of buildings that contain
asbestos, to protect our members and other people doing work in
those buildings. The strategy would also include improving detection
and treatment of mesothelioma, the terrible cancer caused by
asbestos. Around 150 Ontarians get mesothelioma every year.
Would your government support establishing a registry research
into a cure?
Premier Ford:
The government recognizes the risk posed to workers by exposure
to asbestos. We currently have a registry of asbestos-exposed
The OHSA and its regulations also provide the framework necessary
workers, Ontario Asbestos Workers’ Register (AWR).
for the protection of workers, including requiring that supervisors
be competent and that workers, in certain circumstances be It was developed in 1986 to monitor exposure to asbestos-
“competent”, as noted in O. Reg. 213/91 – Construction Projects. containing materials (ACM) so that asbestos-exposed workers could
be identified and information on potential health impacts could be
In the context of the OHSA, being “competent” means being
provided to both the worker and their primary health care provider.
qualified because of knowledge, training and experience to organize
or perform the work, being familiar with the OHSA and its The Ministry is currently undertaking a research study with Cancer
regulations that apply to the work and having knowledge of any Care Ontario’s Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC),
potential or actual danger to health or safety of the workplace. entitled, Occupational Cancer and Asbestosis among Asbestos-
Exposed Workers in Ontario.
Additionally, under the OHSA, employers and supervisors are
expected to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances This study will describe the burden of mesothelioma, lung cancer
for the protection of the workers. and asbestosis amongst Ontario’s asbestos-exposed workers and
how this burden may have changed over time. This study will also
Ultimately, everyone has a role to play and a responsibility for
provide important information on the utility of a mandatory
keeping themselves and their workplaces healthy and safe.
exposure registry for occupational disease surveillance.
Peter:
Another recent project through the OCRC, Mesothelioma
Apprentices trained through some of our affiliates, IBEW for
Epidemiology and Prognosis, will provide updated survival statistics
example, benefit from a significantly higher completion rate of 95
in Ontario (and BC), which will help evaluate our progress in treating
per cent or more – three times industry average. The same cannot
be said for the non-organized sector. Will the Premier ensure there and managing mesothelioma.
is proper consultation with the people who actually do the work and
Finally, the Ministry has commissioned internationally recognized
who are leaders in training before changes are made to
expert, Dr. Paul Demers to conduct a review of occupational
apprenticeship or scopes of practice?
cancers, which will provide an independent assessment of how
Premier Ford: scientific evidence should be considered in evaluating whether a
New legislation governing the skilled trades and apprenticeship cancer is work-related and its compensation.
system – the Modernizing the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship
Act – passed and received royal assent in the spring The recommendations from these reports, related research
studies, and the surveillance of occupational disease through the
To support the implementation of this legislation, the Minister of
Ministry-funded Occupational Disease Surveillance System at the
Training, Colleges and Universities is appointing Training and Skills
OCRC, will be used to strengthen and modernize the Occupational
Advisors to engage with industry.
Health and Safety system’s prevention and management of
The advisors will provide occupational diseases, including mesothelioma.
advice to the Minister on
Peter:
the implementation of a
Whenever we make changes to certain systems, we’re always
new flexible framework that
will enable apprenticeship careful to be concerned about enforcement. For instance, with the
training and certification in lowering of ratios for journeypersons to apprentices, we are
a skill set, the development concerned about ensuring the ratios are complied with and that the
of a risk of harm framework worker and public safety are priorities. Would you be willing to work
for restricted activities, and with us to ensure we have the proper resources and compliance
restricted activities for checks in place to provide diligent oversight and protection?
trades.

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