Latest news with #DerekJohnstone
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Union says lawsuit over federal pesticide safety rules aims to protect agricultural workers
A union representing agricultural workers across the country says the information workers get when handling pesticides is insufficient. It is suing the federal government with the aim of forcing it to enforce rules, it says, already exist. "It's high time for the federal government to do what it's already committed to do and that's what this case is about," Derek Johnstone of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) said. "It's also another opportunity for us as Canadians to look at something as basic a food worker knowing what he or she or they are handling and not having that information, so how did we get here?" The union held an information session about safety sheets in Leamington, Ont., on Sunday. Thousands of workers come from countries such as Mexico and Guatemala to work in greenhouses in the southwestern Ontario community each year. The UFCW launched its lawsuit against the federal government in federal court last week. It argues that safety information including "material safety data sheets" are a condition of registering pest control products and that those sheets must be provided to workplaces that use the products. The application by the union states that the government has taken the "unreasonable position that the provision of material safety data sheets to workplaces is voluntary" and that by not enforcing the requirement, it is failing to protect agricultural workers. "It's unfortunate that the government has taken to using the term voluntary when it comes to providing basic information about chemicals and pesticides that workers handle," Johnstone said. "This is not a choice. This is not a recommendation by government. This is a right enshrined in health and safety law. The right to know is the first step when it comes to a worker's health and safety rights." Health Canada refused comment to the CBC on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation. Sean O'Shea of Ecojustice, an environmental law charity whose lawyers are listed on the application, says data sheets provide information about possible risks of pest control products and protective measures one should take when using them. "It might require you to wear (personal protective equipment) to discard of any clothes you're wearing before you return to your home," he said. "It might say that it shouldn't be mixed with another chemical or another pesticide because it's not just the use of one pesticide. The problem is the use of several pesticides can have cumulative effects when chemicals are mixed together."
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Union sues Health Canada over alleged failure to protect agriculture workers
Migrant workers gathered on Sunday in Leamington to learn about a new lawsuit filed against Health Canada. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) A new lawsuit filed against Health Canada alleges the agency has unlawfully failed to protect agricultural workers from the harms of pesticides. Complainant United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW) alleges Health Canada's reported failure to enforce safety data sheets for pesticides leaves workers unable to protect themselves from hazardous materials. Migrant workers sue Health Canada Leamington June 2025 The UFCW has launched a lawsuit against Health Canada, alleging they are failing to ensure workers are informed about the pesticides they are using. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) On Sunday afternoon, the UFCW held workshops in Leamington to inform workers of the lawsuit. Due to the heavy presence of farming and greenhouse businesses, the region is known to have a higher population of migrant workers. 'Look, the fact of the matter is that what we're calling on the government to do are obligations,' said Derek Johnstone, special assistant to the president of the UFCW. Johnstone said the issue has plagued workers in Leamington for years and exists in the agriculture sector across Canada. Through the safety data sheets, workers can better understand how to safely use pesticides and respond to any prolonged exposure and side effects. Under the federal Pest Control Products Act, the sheets must be provided at workplaces. 'We are denying them something as basic, as fundamental as knowing what chemicals they're handling,' Johnstone said. One worker agreed to speak with CTV News on the basis of anonymity, out of fear using their name would result in disciplinary action by her employer. Migrant workers sue Health Canada Leamington June 2025 A farm worker in Leamington agreed to speak to CTV News anonymously out of fear her employer would be punished by their employer for speaking out. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Originally from Mexico, the farm worker in Leamington said there's no trust with employers, and they worry that asking about the harms of pesticides will be seen as complaining. She said the company does not provide any training or information on how to use pesticides. 'We desperately need this information because if we are exposed to it and we are poisoned, we don't know what to do about it,' the worker said through a translator. The worker added working in Canada is the best opportunity they have to support their family. A request for comment was denied by Health Canada because the litigation is pending. Sean O'Shea, a government relations and campaign specialist for Ecojustice, told CTV News the lawsuit is seeking a court ruling to ensure Health Canada fulfills its responsibility. 'They're being exposed to dangerous pesticides that a lot of workers in other industries would be protected from, and that is not fair, it's not legal,' O'Shea said. O'Shea added they will now await the federal government's response to determine their next steps.
CBC
5 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Union says lawsuit over federal pesticide safety rules aims to protect agricultural workers
Social Sharing A union representing agricultural workers across the country says the information workers get when handling pesticides is insufficient. It is suing the federal government with the aim of forcing it to enforce rules, it says, already exist. "It's high time for the federal government to do what it's already committed to do and that's what this case is about," Derek Johnstone of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) said. "It's also another opportunity for us as Canadians to look at something as basic a food worker knowing what he or she or they are handling and not having that information, so how did we get here?" The union held an information session about safety sheets in Leamington, Ont., on Sunday. Thousands of workers come from countries such as Mexico and Guatemala to work in greenhouses in the southwestern Ontario community each year. The UFCW launched its lawsuit against the federal government in federal court last week. It argues that safety information including "material safety data sheets" are a condition of registering pest control products and that those sheets must be provided to workplaces that use the products. The application by the union states that the government has taken the "unreasonable position that the provision of material safety data sheets to workplaces is voluntary" and that by not enforcing the requirement, it is failing to protect agricultural workers. "It's unfortunate that the government has taken to using the term voluntary when it comes to providing basic information about chemicals and pesticides that workers handle," Johnstone said. "This is not a choice. This is not a recommendation by government. This is a right enshrined in health and safety law. The right to know is the first step when it comes to a worker's health and safety rights." Health Canada refused comment to the CBC on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation. Sean O'Shea of Ecojustice, an environmental law charity whose lawyers are listed on the application, says data sheets provide information about possible risks of pest control products and protective measures one should take when using them. "It might require you to wear (personal protective equipment) to discard of any clothes you're wearing before you return to your home," he said. "It might say that it shouldn't be mixed with another chemical or another pesticide because it's not just the use of one pesticide. The problem is the use of several pesticides can have cumulative effects when chemicals are mixed together."
