Campaigns & Issues

End Workplace Violence Against Women

Less than three years ago, nurse Lori Dupont was murdered by a co-worker during a shift at Windsor’s Hotel-Dieu Hospital on November 12, 2005. In the nine months leading up to her death, Dupont suffered on the job harassment by Dr. Marc Daniel. Hospital staff were reluctant to confront him, despite complaints by Dupont and other nurses who were also targeted by his harassment and violent behaviour.

The coroner’s inquest that followed Dupont’s murder recommended a review of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to examine the feasibility of including violence, abuse and harassment as factors warranting investigation and appropriate action by the Ministry of Labour.

The review should also consider whether safety from emotional or psychological harm ought to be part of the mandate of the Ministry.

During the inquest, the jury heard from Ministry of Labour staff that while harassment or threats of violence are considered a “hazard” according to internal policy, only violent acts or threats of violent acts will prompt Ministry action. The Ministry can mandate the employer to take steps, such as rapidly conducting a risk assessment or instituting a workplace violence policy. If the employer fails to comply, the Ministry can prosecute.

The jury heard that the Ministry will not, however, respond to complaints of emotional or psychological violence or harm. Expert evidence by Dr. Peter Jaffe confirmed that psychological and emotional abuse has long-term consequences and can affect worker productivity and efficiency. It is also a demonstrated precursor to physical violence. The coroner’s inquest recognized violence against a person at work as a workplace hazard.

An earlier coroner’s inquest into the workplace murder of Theresa Vince at Sears in Chatham in 1996 called for changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, changes that may have changed the outcome in the Lori Dupont case. Twelve years later, these changes are well overdue.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act must be amended and updated to recognize violence and harassment in the workplace as the genuine hazards they are. Actions by the Ministry of Labour and employers across the province are crucial in making workplaces safe for all people.

Take Action Now! Send a letter to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and other provincial ministers demanding that the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act be amended and updated to recognize violence and harassment in the workplace as the genuine hazards they are.

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The Message:

Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON
M7A 1A1

Dear Premier and Ministers of Provincial Parliament;

Workplace violence mars the lives of working women. Currently, the Ontario Health and Safety Act falls short for countless female workers across the province, sometimes in deadly ways.

Less than three years ago, nurse Lori Dupont was murdered by a co-worker during a shift at Windsor’s Hotel-Dieu Hospital on November 12, 2005. In the nine months leading up to her death, Dupont suffered on the job harassment by Dr. Marc Daniel. Hospital staff were reluctant to confront him, despite complaints by Dupont and other nurses who were also targeted by his harassment and violent behaviour.

The coroner’s inquest that followed Dupont’s murder recommended a review of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to examine the feasibility of including violence, abuse and harassment as factors warranting investigation and appropriate action by the Ministry of Labour.

The review should also consider whether safety from emotional or psychological harm ought to be part of the mandate of the Ministry.

During the inquest, the jury heard from Ministry of Labour staff that while harassment or threats of violence are considered a “hazard” according to internal policy, only violent acts or threats of violent acts will prompt Ministry action. The Ministry can mandate the employer to take steps, such as rapidly conducting a risk assessment or instituting a workplace violence policy. If the employer fails to comply, the Ministry can prosecute.

The jury heard that the Ministry will not, however, respond to complaints of emotional or psychological violence or harm. Expert evidence by Dr. Peter Jaffe confirmed that psychological and emotional abuse has long-term consequences and can affect worker productivity and efficiency. It is also a demonstrated precursor to physical violence. The coroner’s inquest recognized violence against a person at work as a workplace hazard.

An earlier coroner’s inquest into the workplace murder of Theresa Vince at Sears in Chatham in 1996 called for changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, changes that may have changed the outcome in the Lori Dupont case. Twelve years later, these changes are well overdue.

Violence, harassment and abuse are clearly workplace hazards that create unsafe working conditions for Ontario workers - predominantly women. Workers facing violence, harassment and abuse must be entitled to workplace protections under the law.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act must be amended and updated to recognize violence and harassment in the workplace as the genuine hazards they are. Actions by the Ministry of Labour and employers across the province are crucial in making workplaces safe for all people.

I urge you to prioritize the lives of working women and press the Ministry of Labour to make these necessary changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

I look forward to your prompt response on this issue.

Yours truly,


This message will be emailed to:
  • Dalton McGuinty-Ontario Premier
  • John Tory-Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
  • Howard Hampton-Leader of the New Democratic Party of Ontario
  • Deb Matthews-Minister responsible for Women's Issues
  • Peter Fonseca-Minister of Labour

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