Man in Dorval, aged 50, severely injured as tree collapses upon him
Quebec Advances Workplace Safety Measures in Response to Recent Tragedies
Quebec is taking steps to strengthen its occupational health and safety regulations following a series of recent workplace accidents. The legislative reforms, under Bill 101, aim to modernize and fortify the existing laws, improving employer obligations and employee protections.
The latest developments come as the province grapples with two workplace fatalities in the past week. On March 10, a 31-year-old woman died after falling from a ladder in a schoolyard in Montreal's Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie borough. The incident occurred around 10:40 a.m., and the Montreal police (SPVM) are assisting in the investigation.
In a separate incident, a 50-year-old worker is in critical condition after an accident that occurred in Dorval, at Brookhaven Avenue near Carson Avenue. The details of the incident are not yet clear, but it appears to be a work accident, and the worker was rushed to the hospital.
These tragedies follow another fatal incident in Terrebonne, where a 21-year-old man died during road, water pipe, and sewer repairs on Aug. 4, 2022. The authorities, including the SPVM and the Quebec workers' health and safety board (CNESST), are investigating all three incidents.
In response to these incidents, Bill 101 proposes significant changes to the Act respecting occupational health and safety (AOHS) and related laws. The bill, which has been adopted in principle as of June 5, 2025, aims to improve work conditions and safety compliance for employers and employees.
The bill focuses on modernizing and strengthening occupational health and safety laws, with an increased emphasis on employer obligations and employee protections. While the bill does not directly reference these recent accidents, it comes at a time of heightened awareness of workplace safety issues.
In addition to legislative measures, authorities and experts are urging employers in Quebec to address emerging occupational hazards exacerbated by climate change, particularly heat stress among workers. With extreme heat events becoming a growing public health crisis, employers are encouraged to implement heat-health plans involving schedule adjustments, more breaks, hydration, and suitable clothing to protect vulnerable workers.
The full impact of Bill 101 will become clearer as it proceeds through parliamentary review later in 2025. The reforms, alongside practical measures addressing environmental risks, reflect an integrated approach to improving worker safety in Quebec.
