On April 28, 2025, we recognize the Day of Mourning. On this day, we remember the people that went to work and either failed to come home or came home injured from their jobs in Canadian workplaces.
We must also remember for 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 2023, there were 1057 workplace fatalities recorded in Canada, up from 933 in 2022.
April 28 serves as a day of remembrance and reflection, but also a time for decisive action. We must take this day to hold our Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments accountable and push them to pass laws for the safety of all workers in this country. There must be changes to health and safety legislation, and the enforcement of existing laws. Change occurs when workers stand united with a common voice, demanding healthy and safe workplaces, and that employers who break the laws are held accountable.
We need to mourn the ones that have been lost but fight like hell for the living.
We encourage PSAC members across the Prairies to attend local National Day of Mourning ceremonies, information listed below.
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)
Threads of Life is a Canadian charity committed to supporting people affected by workplace injury, illness or death — and preventing future tragedies from occurring. Each year they host a virtual event to recognize this significant date. You can register for this here
The in person events in the prairie region are as follows.
ALBERTA
Red Deer and District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Ceremony, wreath laying
Bower Ponds Stage, 4715 Fountain Dr, Red Deer, AB T4N 6W4
April 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m.
Contact: RDDLC – Kyle Johnston, rddlc1@gmail.com
Wood Buffalo and District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Ceremony
Howard Pew Parks – Waterways, Fort McMurray
April 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m.
Contact: WBDLC – omer.hussein@hsaa.ca
Calgary & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Wreath Ceremony
City of Calgary Workers Memorial, Edward Place Park, City Hall (SE corner)
April 28, 2025, 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Alex Shevalier, President 403-819-4159
Website: https://www.thecdlc.ca
Edmonton & District Labour Council
29th Day of Mourning Ceremony 2025
Wreath Ceremony & Lunch
Broken Families Obelisk – Grant Notley Park 11603 Street-100 Avenue
April 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Greg Mady, President 780-940-6797
Website: https://edmontonlabour.ca
Lethbridge and District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Ceremony
CUPE Local 70 Workers Memorial Site, Mountain View Cemetery, 1210 Scenic Drive South
April 28, 2025, 12:00 p.m.
Medicine Hat & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Ceremony
Medicine Hat Memorial Arboretum
April 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m.
SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatoon & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Ceremony
Civic Square 222 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon
April 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Don McDonald, President, sdlc@sasktel.net
Regina & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Ceremony
Regina City Hall, 2476 Victoria Avenue
April 28, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
(Alternate indoor location Regina Union Center
2709 12th Avenue Regina)
Contact: Dee Wagner, President, wagnerdee5@gmail.com
United Mine Workers of America Local 7606
Day of Mourning
Candlelight Ceremony
Coal Car Monument, Estevan Courthouse
1016 4 St, Estevan, SK S4A 0W5, Canada
April 28, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Ashley Johnson, 306-421-1925, umwaashley2017@outlook.com
Weyburn & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Ceremony
TC Douglas Cavalry Centre, 400 – 10th Avenue
April 28, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Wanda Bartlett, President, wbartlett@sasktel.net
Moose Jaw & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Ceremony
Moose Jaw Union Center, 1402 Caribou St. W Outside – (bad weather inside hall)
April 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Deidre Wilson, President mjdlcpresident@gmail.com
MANITOBA
Brandon & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Gathering
Brandon City Hall, 410 – 9th St., foyer area
April 27, 2025, 11:30 a.m.
Light lunch to follow at labour council office, 435M Rosser Ave.
Manitoba Federation of Labour
Day of Mourning
Gathering
Union Centre, 275 Broadway, Winnipeg
April 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m., Leaders Walk starts 11:30 a.m., ceremony at Workers Memorial at noon.
MFL.ca or https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaLabour
Thompson Labour Council
Day of Mourning
Ceremony
USW Local 6166/TLC, Union Hall, 19 Elizabeth Dr. Thompson
April 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m.