National Day of Mourning in-person ceremonies return as B.C. honours workers

Thursday marks the National Day of Mourning, with communities across Canada remembering those who’ve lost their lives or become sick or hurt on the job.

A moment of silence was held at 11 a.m. across B.C. as workers, families, and employers came together to mark the April 28 event.

In 2021, WorkSafeBC says 161 people in this province died due to workplace injury or illness.

(CityNews Image)

Of that number, 91 people died due to occupational disease — with 53 deaths caused by asbestos exposure, which WorkSafeBC notes could have happened “decades ago.”

Forty-seven workers died as a result of traumatic injury in the workplace, while 15 were killed in motor vehicle incidents. Thirteen workers in 2021 died as a result of COVID-19, the agency adds.

Meanwhile, there were over 97,000 short-term disability, long-term disability, and health-care only claims in B.C. last year.

“Today is an opportunity for all of us – workers, families, employers and all levels of government – to recommit to an enduring culture of safety in workplaces, strengthening standards and enforcement, and fully supporting all those impacted by these tragedies. We must, and will, do better – for their sake,” Premier John Horgan said Thursday.

He notes the province recently introduced annual five paid sick days will allow workers to stay home when they’re unwell, adding other changes to employment standards are also aimed at improving working conditions for British Columbians.

This year marked the return to in-person ceremonies for a National Day of Mourning since the pandemic forced everything online. The first ceremony to mark the day was held in 1985 by the Canadian Labour Congress.

WorkSafeBC says the Day of Mourning is now recognized in dozens of countries around the world.

(CityNews Image)