Public Works minister accountable for failure to ensure worker safety

OTTAWA – Public Works has repeatedly failed to act on warnings that could have prevented worker safety incidents, media reports revealed today. The minister must be held to account for this failure, said New Democrat critic for Public Works and Government Services, Linda Duncan (Edmonton--Strathcona).

“The whole point of crown liability, and in particular director liability, is to hold accountable those actually responsible for violating critical laws to ensure workers’ safety,” said Duncan. “This is a question of accountability for senior managers on up to ministers.”

News reports revealed today that a former Public Works employee alerted superiors to potential dangers caused by unlicensed plumbers, and code violations. But his warnings were ignored.

“The Harper government’s disregard for workers’ safety is appalling,” said NDP Labour critic Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie). “Workers deserve accountability and a government that will take their safety seriously.”