News
Check out the articles written surrounding Liam’s death and check back here as the investigation unfolds in 2025!
Will Alberta Finally Hold Negligent Employers Accountable?
June 19, 2025
Alberta has a long history of workers dying on the job while negligent employers walk away with nothing but a fine. Finally, there is the possibility that the Alberta Crown Prosecution might start holding these employers criminally accountable with #JusticeForLiam
In 2024, 203 Albertans died at work, a sharp rise from 165 fatalities in 2023. These numbers are rising. Every worker deserves to make it home safely. They deserve a reasonable standard of care, and legally, that responsibility falls on the employer.
The Westray Law (a criminal code amendment) has been available since 2004 and has made it possible to hold employers, supervisors, and managers criminally responsible when a worker dies on their watch.
Since 2004, provinces like Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick have used this law to send negligent employers to prison and issue serious fines. Alberta? Not yet…
Does anyone else think it is about time that the Alberta Crown Prosecutor started applying the Westray Law against employers who knowingly and repeatedly violate safety rules, costing workers their lives? Currently Alberta only applies OHS fines for a maximum of a $500,000 fine for fatalities and serious injuries. For many employers that is chump change and “just the cost of doing business”.
Don’t the hard workers of Alberta deserve better protections from predatory bosses?
#JusticeforLiam #WestrayLaw #AlbertaWorkers #SpeakUpForSafety
Investigation Updates
Finally, Mr. Mike’s Plumbing Charged with 11 OHS Offences Following Death of Liam Johnston
May 30, 2025
After nearly two years since the tragic and preventable death of Liam Johnston, Mr. Mike’s Plumbing has officially been charged by Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) with 11 counts of safety-related offences.
Ten charges were laid for June 8, 2023, and an additional charge was laid for June 7, 2023.
The June 8 charges include failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker, failing to stabilize an excavation site through proper shoring, and failing to protect a worker from cave-ins at an excavation site.
The June 7 charge alleges that the company had identified the hazard prior to opening the excavation but failed to take adequate measures to eliminate the safety risk.
Mr. Mike’s Plumbing is scheduled to appear in court on July 22, 2025, to respond to these charges.
In addition, the Calgary Police Service has completed a separate investigation, and the case is now under review by the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service.
Liam’s family remains hopeful that criminal charges will follow, as they continue to seek accountability and justice in his name.