CUPE calls on Alberta to accept recommendations following death of care worker

CALGARY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The union representing a Calgary care worker fatally stabbed by a client with a history of violence is calling on the province to accept and implement the recommendations of the inquiry report released today.

In October of 2019, Deborah Onwu, an employee of Woods Homes Society, was stabbed 19 times while working alone with Brandon Newman – then a resident of the society. Newman had complex needs, a history of violence, and assorted cognitive and mental health issues. Onwu, who was an experienced and highly trained counsellor, was working alone at the time.

Following the death of Onwu, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) requested a fatality inquiry. The inquiry has completed its work, and Justice Jivraj’s report was released today.

CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal says the four recommendations coming from the report all point to legislative changes at the provincial level that could prevent similar deaths from occurring in the future.

“Deborah Onwu didn’t need to die that night,” said Uppal. “If she had the full history of the client’s behaviour, if she had a co-worker, if there were other precautions taken, she might still be here.”

“We owe it to her and other workers in the social work field to do everything we can to prevent this tragedy from happening again.”

Troy Winters, a Health and Safety expert with CUPE, and a witness to the inquiry, said the recommended changes are long overdue in Alberta.

“The inspector said it himself, the employer was found to be in compliance with Alberta legislation. So what does that say about the legislation? The suggested changes include legislation that makes agencies proactively share the full history of clients, and that front-line workers know what to expect and have a full picture of the clients they are working with,” said Winters.

“If you want to protect workers, you have to inform workers.”

A full copy of the Fatality Inquiry report can be found here: ONWU Inquiry Report

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