Ontario apologizes to workers and families for McIntyre flour damage

In April, McNaughton admitted that his use of McIntyre powder was wrong and spoke of the government’s commitment to funding.

Sudbury MP Jamie West, who has defended individuals affected by McIntyre Powder and their families, also asked for forgiveness.

“I’m sorry,” he said, according to a CBC report.

“The use of McIntyre powder was sanctioned by the Ontario government. It wasn’t fair to Ontario’s 25,000 miners. It wasn’t fair to their friends and family.”

McIntyre powder was used from 1943 to 1979 as a way to prevent miners from developing silicosis in many mines in northern Ontario. State records show that 27,500 miners were exposed to aluminum dust. This dust has also been used in mines in Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, the United States and around the world.