On April 28, 2024, we will recognize the official Day of Mourning. It is a somber day but an important day to remember the people that went to work and either failed to come home or came home injured on the job in Canadian workplaces. We must also remember with every worker tragedy there are loved ones, family members, friends and co-workers who are directly affected, left behind, and deeply impacted – their lives forever changed.
According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), in 2022, there were 993 workplace fatalities recorded in Canada. Among these deaths were 33 young workers aged 15-24.
Add to these fatalities the 348,747 accepted claims (an increase of 71,530 from the previous year) for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease, including 40,203 from workers aged 15-24, bear in mind these statistics do not fully capture those impacted since numbers only include what is reported and accepted by the compensation boards.
April 28, 2024, is a day of remembrance and reflection, but also a time for action.
We must hold our Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments accountable and force them to pass laws for the safety of all workers in this country. It is through the collective and united call for action from workers that results in changes to health and safety legislation and the enforcement of those existing laws. Together, we must demand healthy and safe workplaces, and ensure employers who break the laws are swiftly held accountable.
We need to mourn the ones that have been lost but fight like hell for the living.
We encourage PSAC Prairies members to attend local National Day of Mourning ceremonies. For your convenience we have listed them below with relevant links. Please note since the Day of Mourning falls on the weekend, many areas have an event scheduled for Friday, April 26.
DAY OF MOURNING EVENTS
MANITOBA
Brandon & District Labour Council
Brandon City Hall, Foyer area, 410 – 9th St. Brandon MB R7A 6A2
Light lunch to follow at the BDLC office 727C 10th St., Brandon MB R7A 2S8
April 28, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
Manitoba Federation of Labour
Union Centre, 275 Broadway, Winnipeg MB R3C 4M6
April 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., Safe Workers of Tomorrow (SWOT) Leaders’ Walk starts 11:30 a.m., ceremony at Workers Memorial at noon
Contact: MFL.ca or https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaLabour
Thompson Labour Council
USW Union Hall, 19 Elizabeth Dr. Thompson MB R8N 1S7
April 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatoon & District Labour Council
Civic Square 222 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5
April 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Don McDonald, President, sdlc@sasktel.net
Regina & District Labour Council
Regina City Hall, 2476 Victoria Avenue, Regina SK S4P 3C8
April 28, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
Alternate indoor location: Regina Union Centre, 2709 12th Avenue, Regina SK S4T 1J3
Contact: Shobna Radons, President, shobna.radons@sasktel.net
Weyburn & District Labour Council
T.C. Douglas Cavalry Centre, 400 – 10th Avenue, Weyburn, SK S4H 2K4
April 28, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Wanda Bartlett, President, wbartlett@sasktel.net
Moose Jaw & District Labour Council
Moose Jaw Union Centre, 1402 Caribou St. W, Moose Jaw SK S6H 7S9 Outside. Bad weather inside main hall
April 28, 2024, at 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Contact: Deidre Wilson, President, mjdlcpresident@gmail.com
ALBERTA
Red Deer & District Labour Council
Bower Ponds Stage 4715 Fountain Dr, Red Deer, AB T4N 6W4
April 26, 2024, 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Contact: rddlc1@gmail.com
Wood Buffalo & District Labour Council
Howard Pew Memorial Park – Waterways, Tolen Drive, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 3H1
April 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: omer.hussein@hsaa.ca
Calgary & District Labour Council
City of Calgary Workers Memorial, Edward Place Park, City Hall (SE corner), 9th Avenue and Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5E6
April 28, 2024, 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Contact: Alex Shevalier, President 403 819-4159
Website: https://www.thecdlc.ca
Edmonton & District Labour Council
Grant Notley Park 116 Street and 100 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5K 1W5
April 28, 2024, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Contact: Greg Mady, President 780 940-6797
Website: https://edmontonlabour.ca
In Safety and Solidarity,
PSAC Prairie Region Occupational Health and Safety Committee
Alex Creamer – PRC Co-Chair
Michelle Lang –PRC DCL/Component Co-Chair
Karine Drobko – Canadian Employment & Immigration Union (CEIU) – Secretary/Treasurer
Gus Mardli – Prairie Region Council (PRC) South-East Manitoba Geographic
Laura Westman – Union of Veterans Affairs Employees (UVAE)
Daryl Evans – Union of National Employees (UNE) Rep
Kirk McIntosh – Union of Safety & Justice Employees (USJE)
Brea Baresinkoff – Customs & Immigration Union Rep (CIU)
Randy Olynyk – Agriculture Union (AGR)
Stasi L’Hirondelle – Prairie Region Council (PRC) Northern Alberta Geographic
Tim Hubick – PRC- Persons With Disabilities
Rachel Robinson – Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE)
Joel Hildebrand- Union of National Defense Employees (UNDE)
Kyle Berry- Union of Taxation Employees (UTE)
Janette Husak – PRC Indigenous Peoples Representative
Roger Buisson- Government Services Union (GSU)
Alyssa Ash – Union of Health & Environment Workers (UHEW)
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DAY OF MOURNING