On April 28, 1991, the federal government officially proclaimed the National Day of Mourning to honour workers who have died from a workplace injury or disease and to acknowledge the grief of all those affected by the loss.

Thirty years later we continue to observe this Day of Mourning and though there have been numerous improvements made to workplace safety over the past years, efforts must go much further as work-related fatalities are on the rise. One life lost is one life too many.

According to Canada’s workers’ compensation agencies close to 1,000 Canadians die each year because of their job. In BC alone, 151 workers died in 2020, 63 of the fatalities were due to traumatic injury and 88 fatalities were due to occupational disease, all of which were preventable. A new study says these figures only consider approved compensation claims and that thousands of deaths, such as worker exempt from coverage, stress-induced suicides, commuting fatalities and occupational disease, are missing from occupational health and safety statistics.

The April 28^th provides a day for Canadians, and British Columbians, to reflect on these tragic and unnecessary deaths. In addition, the act of remembrance observed during the Day of Mourning can and should serve as a catalyst towards creating workplaces free from injury and disease. Everyone deserves to work in a safe environment.

The CEU executive and staff want to thank you for your contribution to BC worker safety and care. Your hard work proves your dedication and commitment to improving the lives of all workers.

Join us on Wednesday, April 28^th at 10:30 am as we remember those who have lost their lives to workplace injury or disease. For all the details please visit dayofmourning.bc.ca