Large workers union sues Health Canada over pesticide safety failures

Photo credit: Rudy Persaud, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW Canada) GNW

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Health Canada’s failure to enforce safety data sheet requirements exposes workers to unlawful harm

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LEAMINGTON, Ontario, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Traditional territories of several First Nations including the Caldwell, the Attiwonderonk, the Anishinabewaki, the Mississauga, and the Myaamia — United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW Canada) have launched a new legal case challenging Health Canada’s unlawful failure to protect agricultural workers by not enforcing safety data sheet requirements under the federal Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Without access to critical information about the chemicals they are handling, agricultural workers are unable to protect themselves from hazardous pesticides at work.

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The PCPA mandates Health Canada to ensure that pesticide registrants provide pesticide safety data sheets to workplaces. Safety data sheets follow international standards and include essential safety information on the toxic properties of chemicals, and the health conditions that may result from their use. By failing to enforce this requirement, Health Canada is putting the health of agricultural workers, especially migrant farm workers, at risk.

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The case is being brought by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW Canada), represented by lawyers from Ecojustice. UFCW Canada represents more than 2,000 agricultural workers in different contexts and also advocates for non-unionized primary agricultural workers. Ecojustice is Canada’s largest environmental law charity.

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Francisco, Guatemalan Agricultural worker said:

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“The boss gives us the pesticide, tells us to fill the tanks, and sends us to spray the plants. No gloves, no masks, no protection at all, nobody showed me how to protect myself nor how to handle the pesticide. The greenhouse is packed with workers, all of us breathing in the chemical. If we complain, we are fired and deported. So we keep quiet.

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“I don’t know how many times I have felt my skin burning, my head spinning, or my stomach turning until I throw up. But what can I do? This job in Canada is my only chance, my family back in Guatemala depends on me. Without it, my kids won’t go to school. The boss knows that and takes advantage of that.”

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Shawn Haggery, National President, UFCW Canada said:

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“Migrant agricultural workers are among the most vulnerable workers in Canada and are continuously exposed to hazardous and dangerous chemicals in the workplace. Our union has long-advocated for improved working conditions for migrant workers; our most recent report focused on the health and safety challenges faced by migrant workers, including chemical hazards. Health Canada must take action and enforce worker information requirements for pesticides.”

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Laura Bowman, lawyer, Ecojustice said:

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“Frontline agricultural workers are highly exposed to pesticides and other toxic chemicals at work. They should have access to the same safety information that is available to workers exposed to hazardous chemicals in other contexts.