Janice Hobbs Martell, the Sudbury woman who led the campaign to have McIntyre Powder recognized as contributing to industrial disease, has been awarded an Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship.
The medal is regarded as the second highest civilian honour that can be given to Ontario residents. It was presented to Martell and 10 others by Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario on March 10. The highest award is the Order of Ontario, said a news release from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM).
“The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship shines a light on those who put others first. I am happy to celebrate these outstanding Ontarians and real difference they have made in communities across the province,” said Dumont.
Martell was honoured for her advocacy in having aluminum dust recognized for contributing to the incidence of Parkinson's disease among hard rock miners in Northern Ontario. The dust was used by the McIntyre Mine in Timmins, from 1943 to 1979, where it was mandatory for miners to inhale it before going on shift. Over the years, the treatment was adopted by other mines in Timmins and Elliot Lake, and at other industrial sites around the world.
Researchers believed that inhaling the dust would prevent silicosis from developing in the miner's lungs. Although many miners argued against the practice, they were told their jobs were on the line if they did not take the daily treatment.
One of the miners who took the aluminum dust treatment was Martell's father, Jim Hobbs, who eventually developed Parkinson's disease. Hobbs died in 2017.
Martell was successful in having WSIB Ontario decide in January 2022 that Parkinson's would be officially recognized as an industrial disease.
Martell, who works in Sudbury at the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW), "continues to be a leading voice for change in the recognition and prevention of occupational diseases and provides outreach, education, and support, aiming to eradicate such diseases through systemic reform and national registry," said the announcer during the medal ceremony.
"Her tireless advocacy has transformed lives and exposed the hidden costs of industrial labour," the narrative continued.
The full list of recipients of the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship are:
- Ernest Bies, OMC (Ottawa)
- Samuel Billich, OMC (Toronto)
- David Douglas, OMC (Etobicoke)
- Lois Emond, OMC (Cloyne)
- Roger Harris, OMC (Etobicoke)
- Janice Hobbs Martell, OMC (Sudbury)
- Raj Khanuja, OMC (Brampton)
- Lucille Levinski, OMC (Deep River)
- Gerrard Nudds, CD, OMC (Etobicoke)
- Bruce Poulin, CD, OMC (Stittsville)
- Brian Weckwerth, OMC (Eganville)
