Ontario’s labour movement mourns the passing of dedicated health and safety expert and former colleague, Vern Edwards. Vern worked at the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) for close to three decades. His health and safety activism began during his time as an employee of General Electric and with his former union U.E Canada (United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of Canada).
Vern was critical to the development of the OFL’s health and safety department. He held nothing back when it came to health and safety errors that lead to workers’ deaths, demanded accountability with hard-hitting Day of Mourning statements, and shared his knowledge through informative research with health and safety advocates across the labour movement.
His expertise in occupational health and safety, and his fierce advocacy around occupational illnesses and workplace deaths improved the well-being of workers and their families across the province.
Vern also served on the board of directors of the Workers’ Health and Safety Legal Clinic, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, and the Workers’ Health and Safety Centre, where he was also an instructor.
His dedication to improving the lives of injured and exploited workers will not be forgotten.
The OFL honours Vern and his legacy and will be making a donation in his name to the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups (ONIWG). We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those mourning his passing.
Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 29th at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 606 in Pickering from 4-8pm.
If you wish to attend, please RSVP to vernedwards.rsvp@gmail.com.
Vern’s obituary is available here.
