Two public ceremonies are being held in Richmond this Saturday to mark the annual Day of Mourning, to remember B.C. workers killed on the job.
April 28 is the day every year for commemorating 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.
Public memorial ceremonies at midday are being held in Steveston at the Fisherman’s Memorial, Garry Point Park, 12011 Seventh Ave and at YVR’s international terminal’s Spirit of Haida Gwaii and Jade Canoe statue.
At Steveston, there will be presentations from Dale Walker, WorkSafeBC vice president and, at YVR, from Mark Johnson – who was injured as a young worker – and Craig Richmond, YVR president and CEO.
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 Richmond, schools observing the day include Burnett, MacNeill, McRoberts, Steveston-London and Cambie.
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 Greater Vancouver region in 2017, 52 work-related death claims were accepted.
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.
