logo
KILL A WORKER, GO TO JAIL; UNION SAYS FINES NOT ENOUGH FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN DEATH OF PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER

KILL A WORKER, GO TO JAIL; UNION SAYS FINES NOT ENOUGH FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN DEATH OF PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER

Cision Canada16-06-2025
RICHMOND HILL, ON, June 16, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ontario Court of Justice has found New Leaf: Living and Learning Together Inc., an organization that provides support for adults with developmental disabilities and/or other complex needs, guilty of multiple violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), in connection with the preventable death of 50-year-old Personal Support Worker Ashiru Awoyemi, who drowned while supervising a client alone at New Leaf's swimming pool, with no lifeguard present, in February 2021.
Despite the guilty verdict, nobody involved will face jail time. Instead, New Leaf and one of the managers involved in the tragedy will face fines totalling $255,000, which are payable over a ten-year period and will mostly go to the Ministry of Finance, not Mr. Awoyemi's family.
SEIU Healthcare, the union representing Ashiru and other workers at New Leaf, says the verdict confirmed that this was a preventable tragedy and that the weak sentence will not send the much-needed message that unsafe working conditions will be met with real consequence.
"$255,000. That's the price our justice system is putting on the life of a care worker," said SEIU Healthcare President Tyler Downey. "The neglect by New Leaf led to the death of a father and husband who went to work that day so he could provide to his family in Nigeria and reach his dream of bringing them to Canada. Instead, his life was stolen, and his families' dreams were shattered. These weak fines are not justice and won't prevent more tragedies in the future. If you kill a worker, you should go to jail."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

RCMP recover 460,000 USD Tether in cryptocurrency for fraud victim Français
RCMP recover 460,000 USD Tether in cryptocurrency for fraud victim Français

Cision Canada

time2 days ago

  • Cision Canada

RCMP recover 460,000 USD Tether in cryptocurrency for fraud victim Français

OTTAWA, ON, July 23, 2025 /CNW/ - The RCMP Federal Policing Criminal Operations - Virtual Assets team at National Headquarters have recovered approximately 460,000 USD Tether (USDT) in cryptocurrency after an Ontario resident was targeted by a sophisticated investment fraud. After obtaining a Special Warrant for Digital Assets, on July 3 the RCMP seized 460,000 USDT—valued at approximately $640,000 CAD—as the proceeds of crime. RCMP Federal Policing Criminal Operations Sergeant Ryan Berry remarked that prompt reporting by the victim helped officers recover the funds. "In cases of stolen cryptocurrency, timing is everything," Berry said. "Given the speed at which cryptocurrency assets can be transferred, the sooner investigators begin following the transactions, the higher the likelihood of interdiction and seizure during the money laundering process." Berry noted that cooperation from Tether International, S.A. de C.V. also contributed to the successful operation. "Collaboration and assistance from the private sector are paramount in cryptocurrency investigations," he said. "The voluntary assistance of Tether was instrumental in the seizure and recovery of these funds." The RCMP urges Canadians to remain vigilant when considering online investment opportunities and to report thefts and frauds to their local police. Suspected fraud can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre either online at or by phone (1-888-495-8501). Fast Facts: Cryptocurrency is increasingly a factor in investment frauds. In these cases, victims are introduced to cryptocurrency-related investments via social media, phone calls, online advertisements, and online dating platforms. Using spoofed websites and mobile applications with fake trades and profits, the victims are encouraged to invest money on the investing platform. When the victim attempts to withdraw their investments, they are typically asked for more money for taxes and other fees. Eventually, the perpetrators stops communicating with the victim and the victim realizes they have been defrauded of all the money they believed they were investing. Cryptocurrencies bring new and enhanced legal and technical challenges for law enforcement. Unique procedures and authorities are required to search for, seize and transfer cryptocurrency, as well as enhanced diligence to safeguard these assets when handling and disclosing information. The RCMP coordination centre on virtual assets (cryptocurrency) was created in Federal Policing Criminal Operations, Financial Crime, to enable the RCMP to adapt and be prepared to work operationally in this environment. The centre has dedicated cryptocurrency employees who ensure that the RCMP stays current with trends and training. These employees also provide guidance to investigators across the country.

Stéphane Gagnon sentenced to five years and ordered to pay over $7.75 million
Stéphane Gagnon sentenced to five years and ordered to pay over $7.75 million

Cision Canada

time2 days ago

  • Cision Canada

Stéphane Gagnon sentenced to five years and ordered to pay over $7.75 million

TORONTO, July 23, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) announced today that Stéphane Gagnon, formerly of Ottawa, Ontario was convicted on one count of Fraud over $5,000 contrary to Section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (Code) and one count of 'Use of Forged Document' contrary to Section 368(1) of the Code. Mr. Gagnon was found guilty by the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto and was sentenced to 5 years in jail less time served and was also ordered to pay back the whole net amount of the fraud totaling over $7.75 million. The court ordered restitution to the victims and a fine in lieu of forfeiture. If Mr. Gagnon does not pay the fine, he may serve additional time in jail. "Today's decision is a significant outcome for Ontario's investors who were harmed by Mr. Gagnon's actions," said Bonnie Lysyk, Executive Vice President of Enforcement at the OSC. "Where the OSC sees evidence of harm, we will take action to protect investors, and the integrity of our capital markets. We are pleased with the judgment of the Superior Court and thank everyone involved in this case." In an agreed statement presented to the Court, Mr. Gagnon admitted that between August 1, 2015, and May 31, 2021, he received more than $20 million from victims across Canada. He advertised to the public that he could help people access funds in their locked-in retirement accounts if they invested their money in his company. Mr. Gagnon accepted funds from more than 300 investors and then used a significant portion of the money for other purposes. He also admitted that he used forged lawyers' letters to attempt to continue his business relationship with one of the trust companies into which the victims' money had been deposited. This case was brought by the OSC's Criminal Investigations & Prosecutions team, which is part of the Enforcement Division of the OSC. They investigate securities-related frauds, market manipulation, and related misconduct, including the investigation of repeat offenders and those who breach Capital Markets Tribunal or court orders and bans. Their primary objective is to protect investors and further enhance confidence in the Canadian capital markets through effective enforcement. To do this, they often partner and collaborate with other law enforcement agencies and police forces. Charges laid under the Securities Act are prosecuted by the OSC. Charges laid under the Criminal Code are prosecuted by the Ministry of the Attorney General. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets, and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. Investors are urged to check the registration of any persons or company offering an investment opportunity and to review the OSC investor materials available at

Death of an inmate from Bowden Institution Français
Death of an inmate from Bowden Institution Français

Cision Canada

time3 days ago

  • Cision Canada

Death of an inmate from Bowden Institution Français

INNISFAIL, AB, July 22, 2025 /CNW/ - On July 21, 2025, Richard Bishop, an inmate from Bowden Institution, died while in our custody of apparent natural causes. At the time of death, the inmate was 58 years old and had been serving a sentence of three years, six months, and 15 days since April 4, 2024. The inmate's next of kin have been notified. As in all cases involving the death of an inmate, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) will review the circumstances. CSC policy requires that the police and the coroner be notified. Associated links CSC Website Commissioner's Directive: Death of an Inmate Deaths in custody Bowden Institution Follow us on social media SOURCE Correctional Services of Canada Prairie Region

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store