National Day of Mourning 2019: A Day of Remembrance and Action

Posted on April 18, 2019 10:25 am

Every day, workers suffer from work-related injuries and illnesses. Last year, 131 BC workers died from a workplace injury or disease.

Across Canada, April 28th has been designated the National Day of Mourning. This is a time for workers, families, employers, labour organizations, and communities to come together at
ceremonies held around the province to remember and honour those who were injured, got sick, or lost their lives due to work-related incidents or occupational disease. This year the Day of
Mourning theme is "One is Too Many: No one should die on the job." The Day of Mourning also provides us with the opportunity to talk to each other and renew our commitment to workplace safety.

We are calling on all governments to enforce the law, including We stray provisions in the Criminal Code and occupational health and safety laws, and are requesting that they invest in prevention and strong health and safety committees. We also call on the federal government to reinstate the definition of danger that existed in the Canada Labour Code before Stephen Harper weakened it without consultation in 2014.

We all have a responsibility to keep our workplaces safe year-round and to make sure everyone goes home safe and healthy at the end of the day. All workers are urged to report any hazards or unsafe working conditions to their employer, supervisor or union and to follow established safe work procedures. Please also educate yourself and others about your right to refuse unsafe work.

For tips on how you can keep your workplace safe, visit worksafebc.com/health-safety. For more information about the Day of Mourning, visit dayofmourning.bc.ca.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend the Day of Mourning Ceremony in Kamloops, BC.

Date: April 28th, 2019
Time: 6:00 pm

Place: St. Andrew's on the Square

(corner of 2nd Ave. and Seymour St., downtown Kamloops)

Please also observe a moment of silence at 11:00 am in your workplace and fly your flags at half-mast on April 28th.