In 2016, the Toronto Star launched an investigation into the toxic legacy of one of Canada’s oldest and largest motor-making plants, revealing decades of unsafe chemical exposures that former General Electric Peterborough workers now blame for a range of devastating cancers.

Their fight for justice is the subject of a new documentary, Town of Widows, which includes footage of the Star’s Sara Mojtehedzadeh, whose exposé on the plight of GE workers was nominated for a National Newspaper Award and recognized by the Hillman Foundation.

GE was a symbol of opportunity in an industrial town reliant on factory jobs. While the company has always maintained safety was its highest priority, many former workers struggled for years at the workers’ compensation board to get claims for life-changing occupational illnesses recognized.

Following the Star’s investigation, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board launched a review of hundreds of cases it had previously rejected, giving hope to some families — and leaving others wondering whether the system meant to protect them is still broken.

Town of Widows, which is directed by Natasha Luckhardt and Rob Viscardis, airs on CBC Docs POV on Thursday at 9 p.m.