The employers of Westray coal mine deliberately ignored safety concerns until the day it exploded and killed 26 miners. This preventable incident resulted in Bill C-45. The Westray law allows criminal liability of bad bosses for preventable workplace deaths and injuries. Unfortunately, Westray is nearly 20 years old and is rarely used, Speaker.

The OFL and the Steelworkers have worked with police forces across Ontario, and they agree that there’s a need for Ontario to develop a standardized C-45/Westray law investigation policy. This policy would include the training, awareness and resources so Ontario’s police officers can be successful in investigating preventable workplace deaths.

My question is, will the Premier commit to providing Ontario with a standardized C-45/Westray law investigation policy and direct the chiefs of police to implement consistent protocols across Ontario?

Back to the Premier: Tomorrow is the Day of Mourning. My community has been in mourning ever since the explosion at Ssonix Products in St. Catharines that claimed the life of Ryan Konkin.

Over 200 workers die in the workplace every year in Ontario. That’s 200 sisters, like Nicole, who will never get to see their Ryans again; 200 fiancées, like Natalia, who will never get to hear their Ryans say, “I’ll love you forever and a day.”

Speaker, the Conservative government is responsible for ensuring the Criminal Code in Ontario is enforced. Will the Premier commit to consulting with the community to establish a consistent policy that utilizes the Westray law to hold bad bosses accountable—when they exist—for the death of Ontario workers?