Day of Mourning remembers work tragedies
Every April 28, ceremonies are held across Canada to honour workers who died, were injured or became ill because of their work.
On Saturday, there were 10 events across Niagara to mark the National Day of Mourning. Organized by Niagara Regional Labour Council, the ceremonies took place from 7:30 a.m. in the pouring rain to the final service at 5:15 p.m.
The events include a moment of silence, and stories shared about how workplace tragedies have touched peoples’ lives. It’s estimated that on an average working day, three Canadian workers will be killed on the job or die as a result of an occupational disease.
According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, in 2016 there were 905 workplace deaths.
In St. Catharines, ceremonies were held in three locations: the Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial at Lock 3; at the monument under the Garden City Skyway dedicated to four work-
ers killed in 1993 when scaffolding on which they were standing came loose; and the memorial at city hall.
At Niagara Falls, its MPP said more needs to be done to protect workers.
“When you listen to the government talk, they say we have some of the safest workplaces in the world,” Gates said at Niagara Falls city hall.
“Well, go and talk to some families who have lost loved ones, go nomi-and talk to the community. We have to do more because nobody should have to give up their life for a job in the province of Ontario.”
LouAnn Binning, president of Niagara Regional Labour Council, said the National Day of Mourning is not only a day to remember people who have lost their lives due to a workplace oftragedy, but also a day to demand improvements in health and safety in the workplace to prevent further deaths.
“We’re here today to mourn the dead but we’re also here to help the living,” she said.
“When we go to work in the morning, we pack our lunch and start our day.
“We want to be able to come home at the end of the day, with that empty lunch bag, and go home to our families, our children, our grandchildren.”