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2026 OHS Fines Scorecard (February 16 to March 15)

Nearly one quarter into the year, significant Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) fines continue to lag last year's numbers. There have been only 16 fines of $25,000 or more reported across Canada from January to March, as compared to 36 at the same time last year. There were only four such fines reported in mid-February through mid-March, the lowest total for any reporting period since we began this Scorecard three years ago. Explaining and contributing to the outlier effect is that Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, the perennial leaders in big fines, accounted for only one significant fine combined this period.  \ 

Fine amounts were also skewed. This month's $358,100 fine total is the lowest in the past three years, although the average fine amount of $89,500 was somewhat less out of whack. The average reported significant OHS fine for the year currently stands at $118,625, as compared to the average fine amount of $160,952 for all of 2025.  

Table 1. OHS Fines in 2026 At A Glance (through Feb. 15)  

Period  Total Reported Fines  Reported 6-Figure Fines   Total Fines Value (in millions of dollars)  Average Fine Amount 
Jan to mid-Feb  12 7 $1.540  $128,333 
Mid-Feb to mid-March  4 2 $0.358 $89,500
YTD Total  16 9 $1.898  $118,625 

Source: Bongarde 

Six-Figure OHS Fines  

Although it's still a small sample, nine of the 16 significant OHS fines reported in 2026 so far, or nearly 60%, have been for $100,000 or more. Based on the past three years, we expect that rate to drop to somewhere in the vicinity of 40% to 45% by year's end. Two of the four significant fines reported in this period were in the six-figures range.   

In line with perennial patterns, Ontario remains the leader in expensive fines, accounting for seven of the year's nine six-figure fines, including one this period. The other such fine came from Saskatchewan. While British Columbia has handed out just one six-figure fine this year, it's the biggest fine of the year so far. Although it's too early for a Top 10, here's the list of the highest OHS fines for the new year. 

 

Table 2. Top OHS Fines of 2026  

Fine Amount Province  Type of Company/Incident  Result 
1 $521,694  British Columbia   Retailer fined for storage rack violations.  No fatality or injury 
2 $140,000  Ontario  Construction contractor fined for excavations violation.  Critical injury to one worker 
3 $140,000  Ontario  Construction contractor fined for collapse of basement wall.  Critical injury to one worker  
4 $135,000  Ontario  Mining company fined for electrical cable removal mishap.  Serious injury to one worker 
5 $130,000  Ontario  Chemical plant fined for failing to provide safety training for hazardous operation.  Serious injury to one worker 
5 $130,000  Ontario  Construction forming contractor fined for separate roof collapse incidents.  Minor injuries to multiple workers 

Source: Bongarde 

Surprisingly, Alberta, which is a frequent source of six-figure fines, hasn’t reported any significant fines so far this year. That is likely to change very soon. 

Table 3. 6-Figures OHS Fines in 2026 By Jurisdiction   

Jurisdiction  Reported 6-Figure OHS Fines in 2026 
Ontario  7
British Columbia  1
Saskatchewan  1

Source: Bongarde 

Overall OHS Fines 

For the first time in recent memory, Saskatchewan reported the most OHS fines during the period with two. Here’s a rundown of all significant OHS fines reported from mid-February to mid-March.  

Caveat: Keep in mind that not all provinces publicly report their OHS fines the way Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba do. Accordingly, these totals don’t account for all jurisdictions, some of which we know have vigorous enforcement regimes like Québec or the federal government, where the only source of fine data is reported court cases.   

Table 4. OHS Fines Reported February 16, to March 15, 2026 ($25,000 or more) 

JURISDICTION FINE  COMPANY  WHAT HAPPENED  VIOLATION(S) (all defendants found liable as an employer, unless otherwise indicated) 
ON  $130,000  EllisDon Forming Ltd.  A construction contractor is fined for roof collapse incidents that occurred during installation of composite floor systems at two separate projects resulting in minor injuries to workers.  Failure to ensure that every part of a project, including a temporary structure, was adequately braced to prevent any movement that may affect its stability or cause its failure or collapse; Two supervisors fined for same incidents. 
SK  $100,000  Air Liquide Canada Inc.  A worker suffers serious injuries after getting struck by a forklift.  Failure to develop and implement a traffic control plan. 
MB  $70,000  Wintec Building Services Inc.  A worker is killed after falling into an unguarded radiator fan blade.  Failure to ensure that alternative protective measures are in place when machine or tool safeguards are removed or made ineffective and kept in place until those safeguards are replaced. 
SK  $58,100  Triple 7 Excavating Ltd.  A construction worker is seriously injured in a trench collapse.  Failure to: 

  • Ensure that a worker in a trench over 1.2 meters deep is protected from cave-ins or sliding material. 
  • Report fail to notify the OHS division as soon as reasonably possible of an incident requiring a worker to be hospitalized for 72 hours or more. 

Source: Bongarde