TORONTO — The Ontario Building Trades convention last week turned somber as delegates received emotional updates on the recent North York construction site explosion that left seven workers injured — several critically.
The incident, reported as a natural gas explosion on the 22nd floor of a highrise construction site on Esther Shiner Boulevard, occurred around 9:30 a.m. on October 14. According to Toronto paramedics, seven individuals were transported to Sunnybrook Hospital, four of whom sustained life-threatening injuries, the Canadian Press reported.
Union Members Among the Injured
David Griffiths, business manager for UA Local 46, provided an emotional update to attendees at the Building Trades convention just two days after the explosion.
Among the victims were five members of Local 46, including two apprentices, one of whom is a female tradesworker. Another victim was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and one worked as a unionized carpenter.
Griffiths said five workers remained in Sunnybrook’s burn unit, with two in comas, as surgical and skin grafting procedures were being scheduled.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with these members, their families and all who are standing by them during this unimaginable time,” Griffiths said.
“We stand here today not just as individual trades but as one building trades family. When one of us gets hurt, we all feel it.”
Community Support: “Passing the Hat”
During the convention, a donation hat was passed around to raise funds for the injured workers and their families. Griffiths said business managers from the affected trades will meet to decide the best use of collected funds to support recovery efforts.
“There are still many questions and few answers about what exactly happened,” Griffiths said.
“But one thing is certain — these are our brothers and our sister. They need our support.”
Investigation Underway
Following the explosion, fire crews, Enbridge Gas staff, and inspectors from the Ministry of Labour visited the site to begin investigations. A ministry spokesperson confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and declined to identify the contractors or share details about any orders issued to secure the site.
Griffiths also noted that he had received a personal call from Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini, who visited the injured workers in hospital.
On October 19, Piccini released an official statement expressing sympathy and confirming a full ministry investigation.
“My thoughts are with the workers, their families and everyone impacted by this devastating incident,” Piccini said.
“Every worker deserves to come home safe at the end of the day, and the Ministry of Labour has launched a full investigation to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.”
Experts and Labour Leaders Weigh In
Brian Barron, CEO of the Ontario Construction Secretariat, and a former construction health and safety inspector, addressed the emotional and psychological toll of such incidents.
“After 20 years of investigating hundreds of critical injuries and fatalities, I can tell you that the impact on co-workers, friends, and family is profound,” Barron said.
“Your support is important and critical to the recovery.”
Laura Walton, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), also pledged the organization’s full support to the victims and their unions throughout the investigation.
“Every time a worker is killed on the job, I send a letter to the chief of police of that jurisdiction calling on them to exercise the Westray law,” Walton said.
“Employers and government need to be held accountable. If you kill a worker, you should go to jail.”
Safety and Training Concerns Raised
Walton also called for stronger enforcement of credentials and training standards on construction sites, emphasizing that unqualified and non-unionized labour poses serious safety risks.
“There are far too many unqualified and non-unionized workers on our jobsites. This has to stop,” Walton said.
“Having a hammer doesn’t make you a carpenter; having tin snips doesn’t make you a sheet metal worker.”
Ongoing Investigation and Outlook
As the Ministry of Labour continues its investigation into the cause of the explosion, safety officials and union leaders are calling for stronger accountability, better training, and a renewed focus on workplace safety across Ontario’s booming construction sector.
The North York tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks construction workers face daily and the vital need for strict adherence to health and safety standards.