The National Day of Mourning was recognized with a small ceremony in front of Vernon City Hall Thursday morning. The ceremony included comments from representatives of the Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia, City of Vernon, WorkSafeBC, CUPE Local 626, Vernon Fire Rescue Services, and the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP.
The National Day of Mourning honours workers who have been killed, injured, or suffered illness as a result of work-related incidents.
“Today is a somber but important day,” said Acting Mayor Brian Quiring. “As we take a moment to pause and pay tribute, honouring those whose lives have forever changed – both the workers and their families and loved ones — we also take the time to reaffirm our commitment to remain vigilant and continually provide a safe and healthy workplace for all our colleagues and employees.”
Quiring adding, “Thank you to all our staff for all you do and for the careful and thoughtful steps you take each day to protect yourselves, each other, and our community members. We appreciate you. We are here for you. And we are here with you.”
The Canadian Labour Congress first recognized the Day of Mourning in 1984. In 1990, this day became a national observance with the passing of the Workers Mourning Day Act, and on April 28, 1991, the federal government officially proclaimed the National Day of Mourning.
Canada was the first nation to recognize the Day of Mourning and it is now observed around the world.
According to WorkSafeBC, in 2021, 161 B.C. workers died from a workplace injury or disease. There were 62 fatalities due to traumatic injury and 99 fatalities due to occupational disease.
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