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Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Justicia for Migrant Workers organizes public action in front of Ontario's Ministry of Labour to highlight the extreme weather conditions that workers are currently facing.
TORONTO, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Thursday July 24, 2025, Justicia for Migrant Workers (J4MW), an advocacy group of migrant workers and community activists will target the Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL) to highlight the extreme heat and other weather conditions that workers face across the province. The action will take place at 2:30pm on Thursday at the Ministry of Labour (400 University Avenue, in Toronto). In a symbolic protest, members of J4MW will fry an egg outside the offices of the MOL to illustrate the impact of extreme temperatures on agricultural workers and all workers. The fried egg and a demand letter will be served to members of the MOL after the action. As migrant workers continue to suffer from heat stress, the MOL also continues to ignore migrant workers who will bear the consequences of the province's refusal to implement protections against extreme weather conditions. Taneeta Doma, a staff lawyer with the Migrant Farmworker Legal Clinic and an organizer with J4MW, says, 'Every year, we see weather conditions worsen as a result of climate change, whether it is severe thunderstorms, poor air quality, or extreme heat. Why should workers have to ask this government for the basic protections they should already have?' Concerns are also being raised by agricultural workers employed in greenhouses where temperatures exceed even extreme outdoor temperatures. Coupled with long working days, symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and feeling faint are not uncommon among workers in these conditions. If specific and comprehensive legal protections do not exist, workers will continue to be expected to work without water or additional breaks, both of which are discouraged by supervisors who prioritize productivity and crops themselves. Chris Ramsaroop, an organizer with J4MW, is raising the alarm that immediate measures are needed to protect precarious communities from extreme weather events. 'We should not be waiting for another tragedy to occur where a worker is sick or dies because of heat conditions,' Ramsaroop says. For multiple years, advocates have brought awareness regarding the lack of protection from extreme weather events. In 2022, responding to an open letter from J4MW, the province had committed to enacting heat stress protections under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The following year, Ontario reneged on its commitment, leaving workers to fend for themselves. Ontario continues to put the profit of employers ahead of the health of workers. In 2024, J4MW wrote a letter to the MOL where we highlighted the testimony of Jonathan who shared his experience with being told to 'remove the bins of apples out of the fields because they were getting sunburn.' The worker asked themselves - 'If the apples can get sunburn, what about us who are there working in bare heat with no shelter?' J4MW poses this question to the Ministry and demands immediate protections for workers given the increasing extreme heat events such as those occurring in Toronto now, the severity of which will be evidenced in their action on Thursday. It's time to put workers first. For interviews and additional information, please contact: Chris Ramsaroop (Justicia 4 Migrant Workers): Tel: 647-834-4932 / E-mail: Taneeta Doma (Staff Lawyer, Migrant Farmworker Legal Clinic): Tel: 519-903-7376 / E-mail:
Miami Herald
16-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
D.C. United Roofing Inc. Wins 2025 Consumer Choice Award for Roofing in Barrie
BARRIE, ONTARIO / ACCESS Newswire / July 16, 2025 / D.C. United Roofing Inc. has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Consumer Choice Award in the category of Roofing for the Barrie region. This honour recognizes the company's outstanding commitment to quality, professionalism, and trusted service. With a reputation built on transparency, reliability, and expert craftsmanship, D.C. United Roofing is a fully insured roofing and exterior company offering tailored solutions for homeowners and business owners alike. Whether you're looking for shingles, steel roofing, commercial roofing systems, repairs, inspections, insulation, SFT (soffit, fascia and eavestrough), siding, skylights, masonry work or a complete exterior makeover - they've got you covered. Founded with a vision to raise the standard of roofing services in Barrie, D.C. United Roofing has earned a loyal following through word-of-mouth, repeat clients, and contractor referrals. Their client-first approach and hands-on management have made them a top choice for residential and commercial projects of all sizes. Residential and Commercial ExpertiseD.C. United Roofing proudly serves a diverse client base across Barrie and beyond. Their team is equipped to manage both residential roofing needs and the complexities of commercial projects. Whether it's upgrading shingles on a family home or installing durable flat roofing systems on industrial sites, they bring precision and professionalism to every job. Commercial clients benefit from tailored roofing solutions designed to meet operational and structural demands. From warehouses and office buildings to retail plazas and multi-unit developments, D.C. United Roofing delivers high-performance materials like TPO, EPDM, and metal roofing systems - all backed by stringent quality control and warranty support. Commitment to Safety and SustainabilityThe company adheres to rigorous safety protocols and stays up to date with all WSIB and OHSA requirements. Their trained crews operate with precision and care, ensuring every job site-whether residential or commercial-is safe and well-managed. D.C. United Roofing also takes steps to minimize its environmental impact by sourcing sustainable materials where possible and responsibly disposing of debris and old materials. Celebrating the Win"We're honoured to receive the Consumer Choice Award," said the team at D.C. United Roofing Inc. "This recognition reflects the trust and loyalty of our clients, both homeowners and business owners, and we remain committed to delivering top-quality service and dependable results." Rooted in Community, Driven by TrustD.C. United Roofing isn't just a roofing company-they're a long-standing part of the Barrie community. Whether supporting local initiatives, working with fellow contractors, or helping first-time homeowners navigate roof repairs, they approach every interaction with respect and professionalism. It's this deep-rooted commitment to community that has helped them grow year after year. Committed to Excellence in Every ProjectWith years of experience and a growing client base, D.C. United Roofing continues to raise the bar in the roofing and exterior industry. From single-family homes to commercial facilities, their expert team brings professionalism, attention to detail, and peace of mind to every project. As they look to the future, they remain focused on delivering results that stand the test of time-and roofs that stand up to the toughest Canadian weather. For more information about D.C. United Roofing's services, to schedule a free inspection, or to request a detailed quote, CLICK HERE or visit About Consumer Choice Award:Consumer Choice Award has been recognizing and promoting business excellence in North America since 1987. Its rigorous selection process ensures that only the most outstanding service providers in each category earn this prestigious recognition. Visit to learn more. Contact Information:Sumi SalehCommunications Managerssaleh@ SOURCE: Consumer Choice Award
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
KILL A WORKER, GO TO JAIL; UNION SAYS FINES NOT ENOUGH FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN DEATH OF PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER
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." SOURCE SEIU Healthcare View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
16-06-2025
- Cision Canada
KILL A WORKER, GO TO JAIL; UNION SAYS FINES NOT ENOUGH FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN DEATH OF PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER
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."
Hamilton Spectator
31-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Stoney Creek steel company fined $200,000 in 2022 worker death
A Stoney Creek steel company has been fined $200,000 after a worker was fatally struck by a forklift in April 2022. Janco Steel Ltd., a steel processing company located on Arvin Avenue, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the forklift was directed by a signaller when its operator did not have a clear view while moving around the facility, according to a media release from the Ministry of Labour. As previously reported by The Spectator, emergency services were called to the facility for an industrial rescue after a worker had been struck by a forklift and suffered critical injuries on the morning of April 26, 2022. The worker — a 36-year-old man — was transported to West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, but died of his injuries soon after. While few details were originally released, the latest media release from the province sheds new light on what happened inside the facility, which processes steel products, including slit-to-width large coils. That day, a worker employed by Janco was fatally struck by a forklift operating inside of the plant. The worker was operating an overhead crane, which was moving a large steel coil from a transport truck to a weight scale. While the worker was looking up at the load, he walked backwards into an 'interior driveway' where the forklift was travelling, the ministry said. The operator of the forklift did not see the worker and could not see the area in front of the coil that was being moved, according to the release. A police officer stands at the scene of a workplace fatality at Janco Steel in Stoney Creek on April 26, 2022. At the time of the incident, the forklift operator was driving roughly two to three kilometres per hour and stopped the vehicle when another worker yelled out. However, the forklift had already hit the operator of the crane. An investigation by the ministry found that Janco had violated the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which requires a signaller to direct any operator of material handling equipment, such a forklift, who does not have a full view of its intended path of travel. Janco pleaded guilty to one charge under the OHSA in early April. The company will also have to pay a 25 per cent victim surcharge. The Spectator reached out to Janco for comment Friday afternoon, but did not immediately hear back. The April 2022 incident marks at least the second time the Stoney Creek steel processor has pleaded guilty in the death of one of its workers. Janco was previously fined $150,000 for the death of one of its workers who was fatally injured in 2016. The company pleaded guilty in May 2018 to failing to ensure that regulated measures and procedures under OHSA were followed. A worker was killed on July 21, 2016, after coils were not properly secured by a hold-down arm, causing one of the cut coils to fall and crush him. Provincial regulations require that materials, such as those produced at Janco, be lifted, carried or moved so as not to endanger the safety of any worker. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
