The annual Day of Mourning on April 28 commemorates workers who have been seriously injured or died as a result of their jobs. Family survivors will be joined by workers, employers, local labour councils and WorkSafeBC to mark the day with more than 37 ceremonies throughout the province.In 2017, WorkSafeBC accepted 158 work-related death claims in B.C.; 87 were caused by occupational disease primarily resulting from exposure to asbestos decades ago, and 71 resulted from traumatic injuries. In the Fraser-Fort George region in 2017, two work-related death claims were accepted.
A public memorial ceremony is being held at noon on Saturday, April 28, at the Prince George Worker’s Memorial on Patricia Boulevard.
The ceremony will include presentations from Mayor Lyn Hall; Don Iwaskow, president North Central Labour Council; and Barry Nakahara, Manager of Prevention Field Services, WorkSafeBC, Prince George
In 2017, WorkSafeBC accepted 158 work-related death claims in B.C.; 87 were caused by occupational disease primarily resulting from exposure to asbestos decades ago, and 71 resulted from traumatic injuries.
On Friday, April 27, 145 high schools across the province will take part in the BC Labour Heritage Centre’s Day of Mourning Schools Project. In 2018, local schools observing the Day of Mourning include College Heights, MacKenzie, and Prince George Secondary schools.
The Canadian Labour Congress created and held the first National Day of Mourning ceremony on April 28, 1984, making Canada the first country to formally commemorate workers killed in the workplace. Today, Day of Mourning ceremonies take place around the world and the day is recognized by the federal and provincial governments, as well as by municipalities across B.C.
More information may be found at www.dayofmourning.bc.ca.
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