By Effie Argyropoulos, Level Up Project Lead at Digital Public Square.
Canada’s mining sector is one of the biggest in the world, employing approximately 200,000 people directly, as well as another 100,000 indirectly.
Although the mining sector plays a significant role in the Canadian economy, there are concerns for those working in these labour-intensive roles. We know that Canadian men between the ages of 30-49 have been disproportionately affected by opioid related harms. When we add employment in a labour-intensive job, such as mining, those harms increase.
According to findings from the Opioid-related Harms Among Ontario Workers project – a collaboration between the Institute for Work & Health, and the Occupational Cancer Research Centre – previously injured workers working in the mining, construction, and forestry sectors are more likely to end up in the hospital due to opioid-related harm than workers in other sectors in Ontario.

A new digital tool
National not-for-profit organization Digital Public Square (DPS) has turned to technology, creating an interactive digital tool to support those in the labour-intensive jobs who need access to thorough information about this issue. Level Up Canada provides resources, links to support services, and education to build awareness about the risks of opioid, and other substance use, amongst those working in mining and other physical-related roles. Level Up is a publicly accessible tool.
Designed based on national research, and engagement with those working on the frontlines, including employees, employers, and industry organizations, research executed by DPS provides a closer look at several areas where Canadian mining talent require more support.
DPS research found that there are multiple factors contributing to why more employees in labour-intensive industries like mining, use opioids and other substances, in comparison to other industries.
Factors that can lead to substance use, and potential dependency on opioids, include the physically demanding nature of the work, pain and injuries resulting from the nature of these roles, loneliness, particularly when working on sites away from family and friends; and financial incentives to work long hours in an economy where costs of living are high.
Homeownership and rental expenses across Canada remain costly, with median households in Toronto needing 77 per cent of their income to cover home expenses as a homeowner. This is an issue most Canadians face and is exacerbated by the income insecurity that is inherent in labour work, and the heightened precarity that results when workers are between jobs or have to take time away for their mental and physical health.
The mining environment is particularly conducive to heavier substance use due to the way mining work is organised, often divided into intense two-week shifts, while mines are often located in remote locations while workers live in camps far from their loved ones and with few entertainment options.
Mining is also one of the most laborious jobs, with intense physicality that can lead to injuries. When injured, painkillers can be prescribed to help individuals as they continue to work. Dependency on pain medications is common, and when tolerance increases, moving to dangerous prescription opioid alternatives can have serious consequences.

Despite the prevalence of substance use in labour intensive jobs, 31 per cent of those surveyed by DPS said they were unsure about resources and assistance offered by their employer, and 40 per cent indicated their employer did not provide any sponsored help to deal with opioids and other substance use. 44 per cent of employees surveyed would feel somewhat uncomfortable / not comfortable discussing substance use with colleagues, and 57 per cent said they would be somewhat uncomfortable / not comfortable discussing the topic with their employer. There is a significant, and dangerous, workplace stigma that results in fear of retribution, such as termination, if employees ask for help.
For the safety and well being of Canadian talent within these sectors, it is vital to raise awareness regarding potential substance harms within the industry, while providing access to resources and support services, privately, and without judgment. Currently, 5 per cent of labour workers engaging with the Level Up digital tool have indicated that they work in the mining field. DPS would like to see a greater proportion of mining workers accessing good information about opioid harms and support.
Another key step is for Canadian employers to incorporate supports, as Level Up, into staff onboarding and health and safety programming. Considering the dangers of the unregulated drug supply, taking any and every extra step to support those at risk of substance dependency and overdose could not be more important, especially for industries where data tells us that workers are at greater risk.
According to the Government of Canada, there was a total of 3,787 apparent opioid toxicity deaths in Canada reported between January and June 2024 alone, with 2846 opioid-related poisoning hospitalizations, and 13,287 opioid-related poisoning Emergency Department visits.
Considering the high rates of opioid overdoses for those working in labour-intensive jobs, eliminating stigmas, ridding the workplace of judgment, and implementing tools and supports, combined with empathy and understanding, should be top priorities for the mining sector moving into 2025.

About Effie Argyropoulos
Effie has a background in public health and community engagement and is enthusiastic about developing interventions that reduce barriers to accessing health-related support. In her public health work, she has led programs on a range of topics, including vaccine hesitacy, food insecurity, housing, workplace wellbeing, and most recently, opioid and substance related harms.

About Digital Public Square
Communities thrive when everyone in them feels included, connected, and has opportunities to engage meaningfully. Our mission is to transform community engagement for the digital era. Join us in shaping a future where digital spaces bring us closer together.
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