Welcome to the website of the Canadian Injured Workers Association of Alberta.
Are you looking for videos from our events? Information about our current and past actions? Visit How to Use This Site.
News from Alberta will be updated on this main page. We also have news pages for B.C. and Ontario that are updated regularly.
The Canadian Injured Workers Association of Alberta would like to thank the Alberta Federation of Labour for their sponsorship of this website.
Funding the disabled could prevent suicide – has the law gone too far?
From Inclusion Canada: Canada’s Assisted Suicide Law Has Gone Too Far
90 Disability and Mental Health Organizations Oppose Expansion of MAiD for Mental Illness
May 25, 2026
Ottawa, ON — A group of more than 90 disability and mental health organizations from all provinces and territories are calling on Parliament to permanently halt the planned expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) scheduled to take effect on March 17, 2027.
The groups have sent an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Justice Minister and Attorney General Sean Fraser, and Health Minister Marjorie Michel. The letter was copied to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (AMAD) comprised of MPs and Senators. The committee is currently studying whether to expand MAiD for people whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness. It is poised to file a report before the parliamentary summer break.
The organizations are calling for the government to repeal the section of Canada’s MAiD law that establishes a timeline for legalization, commonly referred to as the “sunset clause.” Acting on this recommendation would result in a permanent exclusion of mental illness as a sole underlying condition for MAiD.
Mental health-related disability is among the fastest growing disabilities in Canada. One in three Canadians will meet the criteria for a mental disorder during their lifetime, and suicidality is associated with many of these diagnoses.
Inclusion Canada is one of the national organizations that have mobilized in this collective effort. CEO Krista Carr says the federal government should improve the lives of citizens – not end them. It can do so through better income supports, safe and accessible inclusive housing, accessible mental health care, employment and other community-based services to allow people to live with dignity.
“People with disabilities and mental illness who face poverty, housing insecurity, social isolation, and barriers to timely health care need help and hope — not MAiD,” said Carr.
Growing Concerns About Track 2 MAiD
The organizations point to growing evidence that marginalized Canadians are disproportionately represented among those currently accessing the second pathway of MAiD.
Known as Track 2 MAiD, this pathway is available to people with disabilities whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable. Most recent federal data reveal six out of 10 people who died as a result of Track 2 MAiD were women. Many were also reported as living in low-income neighbourhoods, residing in long-term care, experiencing isolation or loneliness, perceiving themselves to be a burden, facing housing instability, or requiring psychosocial supports.
People with Mental Illness can already qualify for MAiD
Under the current law, people living with mental illness may already qualify for MAiD if they have a co-occurring illness, disease, or disability and meet existing eligibility requirements. Expanding the law further to include mental illness as the sole underlying condition would make assisted suicide available to people who are not near end of life and need not have a co-occurring physical condition.
The organizations warn this would represent “a significant and misguided expansion” of Canada’s assisted suicide regime. Experts have cautioned that, in practice, the definition of “mental illness” could encompass a broad range of mental disorders.
“While some argue that MAiD is distinct from suicide, Health Canada defines suicide as ‘the intentional act of ending one’s life,’” the organizations state in their letter. “MAiD for mental illness clearly falls under this umbrella.”
“Families across Canada are deeply worried about what this expansion would mean for people already struggling to access adequate mental health care, housing, income supports and community services,” said Moira Wilson, President of Inclusion Canada. “At a time when so many people are asking for help to live with dignity, Canada should not be expanding access to assisted death for those experiencing mental illness.”
Facts
From 2021 to 2024, 2,050 Canadians have died from through Track 2 MAiD, where their death was not reasonably foreseeable.
In its 2025 Concluding Observations on Canada, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities called on Canada to repeal Track 2 MAiD, halt the planned expansion to mental illness and bring its MAiD regime into compliance with Canada’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Inclusion Canada and three other national disability organizations along with two individual plaintiffs, launched a charter challenge in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice asking that Track 2 MAiD be struck down.
About Inclusion Canada
Inclusion Canada is the national federation of 13 provincial/territorial member organizations and over 300 local associations working to advance the full inclusion and human rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Inclusion Canada drives social change by strengthening families, defending rights, and transforming communities into places where everyone belongs.
Your voice matters: Injured Workers Day- May 26th gathering (Ontario event – do injured workers have a voice in Alberta?)
Join us on Tuesday May 26th @ 10 AM ET in advance of Injured Workers Day. Raise your voice! Be Loud & Proud!
What does Injured Workers’ Day mean to you?
June 1 is Injured Workers’ Day in Canada. It’s a day to bring attention to the struggle and injustice that injured workers and their families face, and to call for change.
This day started on June 1, 1983 when over 3,000 workers converged on the steps of the Ontario Legislature, and successfully demanded a voice for injured workers in committee meetings about changes to Ontario’s workers’ compensation system. In 2008, the Canadian Labour Congress adopted a resolution to proclaim June 1 “a Canada-wide day of action to intensify the struggle for justice for all injured workers.”
In 2024, the Ontario Legislature officially proclaimed June 1st Injured Workers Day.
Join us to share your hopes and dreams for the future and thoughts on how we can create a system that truly support workers when injured or made ill from work.
May 26, 2026 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/edl?muid=ab442f5c-8b78-4e41-bd6f-eaa6ef52db1c
Meeting ID: 823 1206 5682
Passcode: 846468
CONGRATULATIONS ONTARIO – IN THE MEANTIME, WORKERS IN ALBERTA ARE SUFFERING
From Ontario:
You may have heard that the Minister of Labour announced today proposed changes to the WSIB.
Here’s the link: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1007285/ontario-increasing-wsib-benefits-to-protect-injured-workers
-LOE from 85% to 90%
-Workers can receive LOE past age 65 if they planned to keep working
-“Proposed changes would, if passed, apply to eligible workers on or after the date the legislation is proclaimed.”
Interesting the he chose the day before the Meredith Act was coming up for second reading to make this announcement.
We are sending you our thanks for supporting injured, ill, and disabled workers. It looks like our efforts have paid off with these proposed improvements at WSIB for all workers.
While there is still more to do, take a moment to reflect on our achievements working together.
Workers’ Rights South of the Border
Here is a good article from Jessica Martinez with the US advocacy org. National Council for Occupational Safety & Health (COSH). https://nationalcosh.org/. She was a strong ally in the early days of the Injured Worker Justice Project in the US.
“Workers are not passive victims. They are experts in their jobs and the hazards they face. When their voices shape policy, workplaces become safer. When they are silenced, the consequences are measured in funerals and hospital bills.
Safe jobs are not a luxury. They are a human right. We cannot build a strong economy on the backs of broken workers. We cannot ask people to choose between paying rent and staying alive. If we truly care about affordability and justice, workplace safety must be central to the national agenda. It is time to put people before profits and act before more lives are lost.”
Lawyer puts injured workers first
In this episode of The Injured Worker’s Legal Side with Richard & Paul, Richard and Paul discuss the reasons why the WSIB staff are going on strike. This includes overworked staff, use of AI and more.
Richard Fink is a lawyer who has been practicing in workers compensation law in Ontario for over 40 years. Paul Taylor is a paralegal who also practices in workers compensation law in Ontario among other areas of law and has a specialization in human rights law. Visit Paul’s YouTube channel here for more videos concerning injured workers.
Lawyers/Legal Help Wanted
Injured workers in Alberta face a daunting challenge in finding legal representation to navigate the complex workers’ compensation system. With legal aid and lawyer referral services unavailable for these cases, many are left to navigate the system alone. We urgently need lawyers specializing in workers’ compensation law to step forward and offer their expertise.
The struggles injured workers face include:
– Delayed or denied claims, leading to financial hardship and mental health struggles
– Navigating a complex system without proper support
– Lack of accountability and transparency within the WCB and AC
– Personal stories of struggle and resilience
If you are a lawyer willing to take on these cases or an injured worker who has found legal support, please share your story with us. Together, we can:
– Advocate for change and ensure injured workers receive the legal support they deserve
– Encourage legal professionals to specialize in workers’ compensation law
– Establish a legal clinic or resource dedicated to supporting injured workers in Alberta
Let’s unite to create a safer, more supportive system for injured workers. Share your experiences, recommendations, and ideas with us. Together, we can make a difference!”
Wealth Inequality
Underlying so much polarization in Canada is income and wealth inequality. What’s happening with injured workers is in this broader context, where whole segments of the population are slipping further and further behind. In their economic desperation, some of them turn to promises by people like Trump.
Here’s an excellent piece that provides insights on some of the basics.
This shows that there is tremendous potential of improving the situation of poor and working people just by restoring some balance in the distribution of wealth.
Workers compensation is one of the tools governments are using to increase income inequality. The recent announcement of $2.5 billion being sent to corporations while injured workers fall further into poverty makes the intentions of the Ontario government clear.
It’s time to speak out and stand up for those being left behind. Here is a recent article from Thunder Bay along these lines. You can do it too.
Injured Workers call WSIB announcement ‘totally unfair’
Reform Alberta
Ontario has taken a significant step towards protecting workers’ rights with their new act, which aims to provide justice, accountability , oversight and respect for workers rights. In Alberta there is no oversight or accountability when WCB and AC don’t comply with policy or the law. They are not held accountable even when they intentionally break the law or intentionally because they are ignorant of their own policies and law. Because they are not held accountable they been telling the government you’re arm’s length to what we do to the vulnerable citizens of Alberta
How Ontario’s legislation compares to Alberta’s – Key Features of Ontario’s New Act include:
– Strengthening political accountability
– Increasing transparency in government
– Giving more power to workers ³ ⁴
This development helps vulnerable citizens
Meredith Act Released in Ontario
The Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups (ONIWG) is proud to announce the release of the Meredith Act!
Collaborating with the Ontario NDP Critic for Injured Workers, WSIB and Seniors, Lise Vaugeois, ONIWG took the lead to create a A New Workers’ Compensation Act, called the Meredith Act. MPP Vaugeois plans to introduce it as a private members bill in the Spring of 2025.
The new act is based on the Platform for Change, a position paper developed by the injured worker community, revised and updated over the last two decades. ONIWG worked together with community partners to take the principles outlined in the Platform for Change into legal language. Retired lawyer Kendal McKinney did amazing work as the secretary and writer on the new act that is named after the founding father of workers comp, Sir William Meredith.
Congratulations and thanks to the many workers who participated in this process to create a vision for the future. A future that could include Justice for Injured Workers.
Former Crown lawyer files Charter challenge over workers’ compensation system
Even the doctor has had enough.
Injured workers don’t stand a chance to get medical care when the whole system is flawed. The WCB office clerk in charge of your medical care consistently makes the wrong medical opinion to deny desperately needed medical care, and has no boss to help change their unqualified medical decisions.
No one is watching. The doctors don’t have time to advocate on behalf of the injured worker to teach the office clerk how to practice medicine in 20 seconds or less. Government and WCB refuses to provide oversight so these office clerks continue to abuse their power. The government should not allow office clerks to have this kind of medical and legal power without oversight.
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1839745972844327004.html
Important Articles for Albertans
WCB in Alberta still practices deeming Alberta workers into pretend jobs that don’t exist and which the workers would be too disabled to work at if these pretend jobs did exist in Alberta . Why don’t Alberta workers have people wanting to get involved to help their fellow Albertans to put a stop to the case managers (clerks) from treating Alberta’s workers carelessly by deeming them to work in pretend jobs, forcing them into poverty, disabled from work injuries? The people in Ontario got involved.
This article is about the deeming of migrant farm workers: Despite Ontario workers’ compensation reforms, migrant workers are still being left behind
This second piece is the Montreal Manifesto on Precarious Work, Workforce Diversity, International Migration and Occupational Health and Safety (PDF). This comes out of a gathering last year with a large contingent from Quebec.
INJURED AT WORK = HOMELESS IN ALBERTA
BEST KEPT SECRET OF WCB
– WCB representatives, lacking medical qualifications and legal training, are unlicensed to practice medicine or law, yet they wield absolute power to decide injured workers’ fate.
– Despite their lack of expertise, they create their own medical opinions and law, contradicting factual evidence and legislation, and deny compensation to injured workers.
– These unqualified representatives claim to be in charge, with absolute authority over injured workers’ claims, yet they have no apparent boss or oversight, raising questions about who grants them this power and why they are unaccountable.
– Injured workers are told that these representatives have the final say, with no possibility of escalation or review by a higher authority, despite being employed by a government organization that supposedly answers to the public.
– This lack of accountability and transparency allows them to make life-altering decisions without any checks or balances, leading to predictable errors and abuse of power.
– The Workers Compensation ACT requires the board to weigh all evidence and provide compensation entitlement based on medical probability, but unqualified clerks are allowed to ignore the existence of the WCA , prioritizing denial of compensation.
– If injured workers become unemployable, it’s a no-win situation, trapping them in a long-term cycle of denial and appeal, until they eventually succumb to their injuries or die waiting for justice.
In summary, it’s absurd to grant unqualified individuals the power to make critical medical and legal decisions, leading to a system where injured workers are denied rightful compensation, forced into poverty, and left to suffer. This systemic failure highlights the urgent need for reform and accountability within the WCB. Moreover, it is appalling that the people of Alberta and organizations who are aware of this abuse have remained silent and inactive, allowing this injustice to persist.
Recent media coverage supporting injured workers in other provinces. Alberta needs more media coverage on this topic.
Legislative amendments aim to improve benefits for injured workers
Ontario to change how it compensates injured migrant agricultural workers
Read the KMPG Value for Money Audit
To see activity and justice in another province look under News – Ontario. We apologize for no updates in Alberta regarding the WCB and Appeals Commission. There appears to be not much interest in workers dealing with injuries, homelessness, and death – it’s been frustrating to garner support.