Published on: April 28, 2020

Richmond, B.C. — Across Canada, April 28 has been designated the Day of Mourning. On this day, workers, families, employers, and communities across British Columbia come together to remember those workers who have lost their lives on the job, and to renew a commitment to creating healthy and safe workplaces.

Every worker in B.C. has a right to go home safely at the end of the day. Yet, in B.C. last year 140 workers lost their lives due to workplace injury and illness. Of these, 40 were due to a traumatic workplace injury, 16 involved a motor vehicle incident, while 84 were due to an occupational disease. Asbestos exposure continues to be the number one killer of workers in B.C.

While public ceremonies this year have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new video has been produced to mark the Day of Mourning. The video, which is available at 10:30 a.m. at dayofmourning.bc.ca and on social media channels, is a joint effort of the BC Federation of Labour, Business Council of British Columbia, Vancouver & District Labour Council, and WorkSafeBC.

A moment of silence will take place today at 10:30 a.m. to remember those workers who died from a workplace injury or illness.

The Canadian Labour Congress first recognized the Day of Mourning in 1984, making Canada the first country to formally commemorate workers killed in the workplace. In 1991, the federal government officially proclaimed the national Day of Mourning. Today, it is recognized in 100 countries around the world.

Quotes:

Harry Bains, Minister of Labour:
“Today, we remember the people who died because of their workplaces. We think of the families, friends and coworkers they have left behind. The National Day of Mourning is an important opportunity to restate our commitment to making B.C. workplaces the safest in Canada. Every day we are taking action to improve workplace safety so that every worker returns home in the same condition they left.”

Laird Cronk, President, BC Federation of Labour:
“The National Day of Mourning is a day for sombre reflection. But it must also be a collective call to action. In 2019, 196 workers died because of their jobs. Our province can never accept the deaths of nearly four workers every week. We must do more to protect working people in B.C.”

Greg D’Avignon, President and CEO, Business Council of British Columbia:
"On the Day of Mourning, the B.C. business community recognizes the loss of workers due to injury and disease and honours their memory. Today and every day, we ask all British Columbians to join us in committing 100 per cent to a culture of prevention, safety and good practices and the courage to speak up to ensure safe workplaces and the safety of fellow workers. More than ever, we have a shared responsibility to protect our own and each other’s health."

Anne Naser, President and CEO, WorkSafeBC:
“On the Day of Mourning, we reflect on the devastating impact of workplace injury and disease, and commit ourselves to making workplaces in B.C. healthy and safe. Our current situation with COVID-19 reminds us again that workplaces across B.C. are evolving, and so are the safety challenges. Those challenges include mental health, opioids, and the evolving definition of workplaces. We need to work together to ensure workers remain healthy and safe in the years to come.”

Stephen von Sychowski, President of the Vancouver & District Labour Council:
“On April 28 we mourn for those who have been killed or injured on the job, but also rededicate ourselves to fight for the living and ensure that all workplaces are safe and healthy.

This year the Day of Mourning takes place in the context of a global pandemic that is putting us all at risk. There is no more important time to reinforce the rights and responsibilities that are in place to keep workers safe.

This is also a time to put our minds to what can be learned from this pandemic in order to better protect workers in the future. The voices of workers, with their first-hand experiences must be put front-and-centre in all of this.”

Media resources:

A fact sheet and backgrounder are available at: dayofmourning.bc.ca/media-resources/

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Media Contacts:

Ivy Yuen
WorkSafeBC
Tel: 604.276.5157
Email: media@worksafebc.com

Rob Cottingham
BC Federation of Labour
Cell: 604.861.4321
Email: rcottingham@bcfed.ca