On Thursday, September 30, 2021, the National Assembly adopted Bill 59 to modernize the occupational health and safety system. This is a major modernization because the Act related to occupational health and safety and the Act related to workplace-related accidents and occupational diseases had not been substantially amended since their adoption 35 years ago.
With the entry into force of the reform of the occupational health and safety system, the Quebec government formally recognizes the link between occupational exposure to pesticides and the development of Parkinson’s disease.
This announcement follows on from Parkinson Québec’s presentations to the Commission on the amendment of Bill 59 aimed at modernizing the occupational health and safety system in March 2021 and the parliamentary commission on the impact of pesticides on health, the environment and agricultural performance in September 2019.
Parkinson’s Québec reports illustrate the link between occupational exposure to pesticides and the development of Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, argued Parkinson Québec, Parkinson’s disease should be added to the list of occupational diseases recognized by the Committee on Standards, Equity, Health and Safety at Work (CNESST).
In fact, from 2000 to 2019, no less than 9 meta-analyzes concluded that occupational exposure to pesticides almost doubles the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
To make an occupational disease claim to the CNESST for the diagnosis of Parkinson’s, the following conditions must be met:
To find out more about the eligibility criteria and the time limits for making a claim, you can download the following documents:
If you have any questions about the CNESST’s “worker claim” forms as well as “the appendix to the worker’s claim”, you can reach them at 1 844 838-0808.
For more information, contact Parkinson Québec at 1 800 720.1307.
