• Français
Find Your Local Union
Subscribe to E-news
 
Login
Scholarships
Contact

UFCW Canada - Union Logo

Canada's Private Sector Union

  • About Our Union
  • Media & News
  • Resources
  • Issues
  • Action Centre
  • Join the Union
Media & News

Directions Newsletter

Metron manager faces criminal trial over Christmas Eve scaffold tragedy

We Remember poster

Toronto - January 17, 2013 - The call for justice has moved one step further in the wake of a Toronto Christmas Eve tragedy that killed four construction workers and left another with serious injuries. An Ontario judged has ruled that the Metron Construction Project Manager Vadim Kazenelson must now stand trial for criminal negligence causing death. In 2009, a crew being managed by Kazenelson fell 14 stories when the makeshift scaffold they were working on collapsed. None of the victims were wearing safety belts, nor had received comprehensive safety training.

In July 2012, the Metron company itself pleaded guilty to criminal negligence and other charges, but it and its owner were sanctioned with only fines. The Crown has appealed that ruling as too lenient.

In the meantime, Kazenelson, the project manager, will now stand trial and could face imprisonment for failing to insure safety protocols at the worksite. The charge comes under
Bill C-45, an amendment to the Criminal Code that allows companies and their supervisors to be criminally charged in the wake of a workplace accident, with potential sanctions including jail time for company owners, officers and supervisors.

"Negligent employers and their representatives must be made to understand that money alone cannot paper over their negligence," said Wayne Hanley, the National President of UFCW Canada. "We support the Crown's appeal that the earlier sentencing of Metron's owner was too lenient, and that if convicted, the project manager should also face the severest sanctions."

UFCW Canada is a long time advocate of the "Kill a Worker, Go to Jail" campaign. UFCW Canada representatives also appeared at a special Ontario inquiry into workplace safety, following the deaths of the Metron workers. UFCW Canada's National Workplace Rights Committee has also created a "We Remember" poster that is distributed annually to commemorate the Christmas Eve tragedy.

  • Media & News
    • News
      • Topics
        • Agriculture
        • By the Numbers
        • Campaigns
        • Directions Newsletter
        • Politics
        • Human Rights, Equity and Diversity
        • Women and Gender Equity
        • Young Workers
        • Health & Safety
      • Press Releases
    • Media
    • Subscribe to E-news

Media Contact

For media inquiries, please email [email protected] with the word ‘Media’ in the subject line.

  • Find our brand guidelines here.
  • Join the Union
  • About Our Union
    • About Our Union
      • Find Your Local Union
      • National President
      • National Council
      • Constitution
      • Union History
      • UFCW Canada Annual Report
      • Brand Guidelines
      • Join UFCW Canada
  • Media & News
    • Media & News
      • News
      • Media
      • Subscribe to E-news
  • Resources
    • Resources
      • Stand for Canada, Shop UFCW-made
      • The National Defence Fund
      • Migrant Members
      • Union Training & Scholarships
      • Member Discounts
      • Health & Safety
      • UFCW Canada Equity Grant Program
  • Issues
    • Issues
      • Leukemia Fundraising
      • Political Action
      • Women and Gender Equity
      • Social Justice
      • The Union for Agriculture Workers
      • UFCW Pride – Union Pride!
      • Young Workers
      • Food Justice
      • Global Solidarity
      • Uber Drivers United
      • Conscious Cannabis
  • Action Centre
    • Action Centre
      • Affordability for All
      • Violence is not part of the job: Respect Frontline Workers!
      • Make Truth and Reconciliation a paid day of recognition and remembrance
      • Paid Sick Days Now!
      • Migrant workers deserve permanent residency
      • End the Heritage Inn Lockout Now
  • Join the Union
    • Join the Union
      • Why UFCW Canada
      • Union Advantage
      • Union Facts
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Everything About Unions
      • Industries We Represent
      • Workplaces We Represent
      • How to Join a Union
      • Join Now

Login

FacebookXYoutube2Instagram

Copyright © 2025 UFCW Canada. All Rights Reserved
United Food and Commercial Workers Union
Canada's private sector union