National Day of Mourning marked today for those who have lost their lives while on the job

The flag at the Post Office/DFO was at half Staff today in 
commemoration of the National Day of Mourning for workers

Sharp eyed North Coast residents may have noticed a few Canadian flags around town at half mast today, the occasion one of solemn remembrance of those who have died while on the job.

Today was the National Day of Mourning, marked annually on April 28th as a day dedicated to remembrance of those who have lost their lives or suffered injury or illness on the job or due to a work related tragedy.

In a background note towards todays commemoration, the Canadian Centre for Occupation Health noted the following data related to the loss of life on the job.

The most recent statistics from the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) tell us that in 2019, 925 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada. 882 were male workers, and 43 were female workers. Among these deaths were 29 young workers aged 15-24. 

Add to these fatalities the 271,806 accepted claims (an increase from 264,438 the previous year) for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease, including 33,615 from workers aged 15-24, and the fact that these statistics only include what is reported and accepted by the compensation boards, there is no doubt that the total number of workers impacted is even greater.

The day of remembrance is marked by all Federal and provincial office buildings, which fly the flag at half staff. 

Among those in Prince Rupert following that protocol today was the Post Office/DFO building and the Prince Rupert Court House.

The history of the event dates back to the mid 1980's and commemorates the passing of the Workers Mourning Day Act of 1991 which made April 28th a Day of official mourning. 

You can learn more about the Day or Mourning from a range of resources including the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Canadian Labour Congress and BCGEU which used Social Media to spread the word today. 

More notes on workers rights and the Labour scene in the Northwest  can be found from our archive page.