Tuesday, April 18, 2023

April 28th: Day of Mourning for Working Killed on the Job

April 28th is the Day of Mourning to remember workers who have lost their lives on the job. Tragically, workers’ injuries and death still occur on the job in Canada. These injuries and death are tragic because they are preventable.

Wendy Cook from the New Westminster & District Labour Council presented to Langley City Council about the Day of Mourning. She noted that more than 1,000 Canadian workers are killed on the job every year, thousands more are permanently disabled, and hundreds of thousands are injured.

She also noted that thousands of others die from cancer, lung disease, and other ailments caused by exposure to toxic substances at their workplaces.

She stated that bullying and harassment on the job degrade people’s mental health.

Ms. Cook asked us to renew our commitment to creating safer workplaces and job sites because one person with poor mental health, or who is injured, disabled or killed because of their job, is one person to many.

At last night’s Council meeting, we held a moment of silence to remember workers who have lost their lives on the job and their families and to recommit to advocating for and creating safer workplaces.

In recognition of the Day of Mourning, the flags at Langley City Hall/Timms Community Centre will be lowered with a small ceremony at 11 am on the 28th.

National Day of Mourning Flag at Delta School Board Administration Building. Source: Delta School District.

For more information about the Day of Mourning and other ceremonies throughout the region, please visit Day of Mourning BC.

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