2023 Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job
April 17, 2023
April 28 is the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job. Traditionally on this day, all over the world, public ceremonies are held at 11 a.m. to mourn these workers, and those suffering from occupational disease.
On this day across the country, many labour councils will be hosting public events to honour the memories of those who lost their lives at work. For our members in BC, you can find a list of events in your area by visiting dayofmourning.bc.ca. For our members outside of BC, you can find events listed across Canada on the Canadian Labour Congress website.
April 28 is an important opportunity for workers and employers to remember the dead, but critical for all of us to express our continued commitment to protecting workers, preventing further tragedies, and making every workplace safe and healthy for everyone. No one should ever have to go to work and not be able to safely return home.
In 2022, 181 B.C. workers died from a workplace injury or disease. There were 74 fatalities due to traumatic injury and 107 fatalities due to occupational disease. We know that there are also many other deaths that aren’t counted by our workers’ compensation system. We also recognize that increased instances of violence in the workplace, particularly against racialized workers since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, has contributed to the deterioration of overall health and safety in the workplace, including mental health.
On April 28, please join your fellow union members at an event in your community as we remember those we have lost and continue to fight to ensure that no one is forced to risk injury, illness, or death as a result of going to work. If you are unable to participate, please consider observing a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on April 28. Once again, you can find more information and other resources at dayofmourning.bc.ca or on the Canadian Labour Congress website.
Join us to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives on the job and to bring awareness to workplace safety on April 28.
In solidarity,
Lori Mayhew, MoveUP President
Rysa Kronebusch, MoveUP Vice-President and Chair, Health & Safety Committee
