Your Complete Guide to Health and Safety in the Workplace

April 2026

Spring is here! Enjoy the sunshine, but remember: a little care keeps the season safe and bright.

Please check our website for our 2026 course dates!

Steps For Life 2026 – Join us at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, our community will come together for Steps for Life, the annual 5-km walk supporting families affected by workplace tragedy.

Each year in Canada, nearly 1,000 workers lose their lives due to workplace injuries or illnesses. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a story that deserves to be remembered.

Steps for Life is the premier national fundraising event for Threads of Life, raising awareness and vital support for families who have lost a loved one or whose lives have been forever changed by workplace tragedy. In Kingston, this meaningful event is proudly hosted by Wilkens Health & Safety Solutions at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area.

We are looking for walkers, teams, volunteers, and donations to help make this event possible. By taking part, you’re helping ensure these families know they are not alone and that their loved ones are never forgotten.

Ready to get involved? Sign up here: Steps for Life Kingston

For more information about the Kingston walk, please contact Rebecca Sousa at rsousa@whss.ca.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who is already sponsoring the Kingston event. You make this important work possible!

Together, we walk to remember. Together, we walk to support.

Canada’s Minimum Wage Updates for 2026

Starting April 1, 2026, the federal minimum wage rises from $17.75 to $18.15/hour, keeping pace with 2.1% inflation. This applies to federally regulated industries such as banking, telecommunications, and interprovincial transportation. Several provinces are also updating their rates—BC will increase to $18.25/hour on June 1, 2026, while other regions like New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon will see increases ranging from $15.90 to $18.51/hour.

In Ontario, the general minimum wage, as announced on April 1, 2026 is increasing on October 1, 2026, to $17.95/hour. Ontario bases their increases on the Consumer Price Index. Employers must always pay the minimum wage that applies to their workplace. If Provincially regulated, the provincial minimum wage applies. This is the case for over ninety (90) percent of all workplaces in Ontario.

Ontario Transportation Expo

The 2026 Ontario Transportation Expo (OTE), Canada’s largest bus‑industry show, is taking place April 13–15, 2026 in Toronto. The event brings together bus and transit operators, manufacturers, suppliers, and industry professionals to explore the latest products, services, electrification technology, and best practices shaping the future of passenger transportation. Attendees can connect with peers, attend informative business sessions, and see cutting‑edge transportation solutions on display. The trade show portion runs April 14 at the Toronto Congress Centre, with the conference sessions at the Delta Marriott Toronto Airport April 13–15.

Day of Mourning

On April 28^th, we remember and honour those whose lives have been lost, injured, or forever changed simply by going to work. We stand in solidarity with their families and loved ones, acknowledging the deep impact of workplace tragedies, many of which could have been prevented.

This day is a solemn reminder of the fundamental right of every worker to return home safe. As we observe the National Day of Mourning, we take time to reflect, attend ceremonies, light candles, lay wreaths, and wear commemorative symbols. At 11:00 a.m., we pause for a moment of silence to honour those affected.

Together, we commit to safer workplaces for all. Learn more at https://www.wsib.ca/en/day-of-mourning

Injured Workers Turn to Cannabis When Conventional Treatments Fall Short

A recent Ontario study from the Institute for Work & Health explored how injured workers are using cannabis to manage persistent pain, sleep issues, and stress. Interviews with 45 workers revealed that many turned to cannabis after other treatments—like medications, physiotherapy, or massage—offered limited relief.

While cannabis wasn’t seen as a cure, participants reported symptom relief, including reduced pain, better sleep, and lower anxiety, helping them better manage daily life and work. Use was largely self-directed, with workers experimenting with strains, doses, and timing, often restricting use to evenings to avoid workplace impairment.

The study highlights a gap in workplace policies and accommodations, emphasizing the need for clear guidance, safe disclosure practices, and proactive support for employees.

World Health Day 2026 – Together for Health. Stand with Science.

This 7 April 2026, World Health Day invites everyone to stand with science. Under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science”, this year’s campaign celebrates how scientific collaboration protects the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet.

Key highlights include the International One Health Summit and the inaugural Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres, bringing together nearly 800 scientific institutions from over 80 countries. The campaign encourages people to celebrate scientific achievements, engage with evidence, and share how science improves lives, using #StandWithScience and #WorldHealthDay.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Wiebke recently volunteered as a Career Coach for Ontario Grade 9 and 10 students, sharing her journey, insights, and advice in small-group conversations. Her time and energy helped students explore future paths and envision new possibilities.

Even brief chats like these can leave a lasting impact, and Wiebke’s commitment to supporting local youth is helping shape the leaders of tomorrow.

RELEVANT UPDATES

How to talk about pay with employers in a cooling Canadian job market

February 6, 2026 – Stacy Thomas: In this “mixed” environment, where employers are balancing cost pressures with retention risks, clear and consistent communication about pay is emerging as a critical part of any compensation strategy; for Muni Boga, CEO of Calgary-based employer platform Kudos, the starting point is getting the timing right.