Ministry of Labour and WSIB work together

The Provincial Government has launched a review of occupational cancer to ensure that best practices are considered with respect to workers' compensation.

The government has hired Dr. Paul Demers, through Cancer Care Ontario, to conduct the review and report back to the Ministry of Labour by the end of the year.

The review will address and provide recommendations on three basic questions:

• How can scientific evidence best be used in determining whether a cancer is work related, particularly in cases of multiple exposures?
• Are there any best practices in other jurisdictions that Ontario should consider adopting?
• As scientific evidence evolves around occupational cancer, what criteria should the Ministry of Labour consider in developing legislative policy?

The review and recommendations will also help the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) with important advice as it reviews occupational disease claims.

The government is also launching an Occupational Disease and Illness Prevention Strategy.

The Ministry of Labour is working with the WSIB to:

• Further understand occupational disease and hazardous substances in the workplace
• Strengthen workplace protections
• Build awareness and education among Ontarians about occupational illness prevention
• Establish partnerships to help improve management of occupational illness in the province.