Ontario launching occupational disease & illness prevention strategy

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Toronto, Jan 26 (Canadian-Media):  Ontario is conducting a review of occupational cancer by engaging internationally recognized expert, Dr Paul Demers through Cancer Care Ontario, to ensure best practices and the most up-to-date information with respect to compensation, media reports said.

"I am very happy to lead this review...While recognition of individual cases can be challenging, it is important that we move forward using the best and most up-to-date scientific evidence," Dr. Demers said upon the review's launch.

Created reportedly in April 1995, and formally launched in 1997, Cancer Care Ontario is an agency of the provincial Government of Ontario,  governed under the provisions of the Cancer Act,  and  is responsible for improving cancer services. 

Three main questions that would be considered for review and recommendations to the Ontario's Ministry of Labour would include: determination of the best scientific evidence if a cancer is work related; best practices that Ontario should adopt; and Ministry of Labour's criteria in developing legislative policy around occupational cancer.

The review and recommendations will also help the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

"Occupational cancers must be treated with the same seriousness and importance as physical injuries," said Laurie Scott, Minister of Labour. "This review will help guide us going forward."

WSIB/Twitter

The government is also taking action to ensure working Ontarians stay healthy and safe on the job in the future by launching an Occupational Disease and Illness Prevention Strategy.

The ministry is working collaboratively with the WSIB and its Health and Safety Association partners and others establish partnerships to help improve cost-effective and timely management of occupational illness in the province. 

In a study led by the Institute for Work and Health published in 2017, it was revealed that the average costs (direct and indirect) of a worker’s compensation claim for mesothelioma in Ontario is $532 844, including survivor benefits.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)