Over 1000 Canadian workers die every year because their workplaces were not safe.
Some die on the job. Others die because of injuries sustained at work or occupational diseases, including some types of cancer.
Too often, their employers failed to ensure their safety at work.
In addition, there are many others whose deaths are not reported because they die of a disease that wasn’t recognized as an occupational disease.
The number of people killed at work each year in Canada has been increasing for the last 15 years.
This is in contrast to almost every other OECD country where the incidence of workplace fatalities is declining.
In many jurisdictions, including B.C., monitoring of safety standards has been cut back or replaced by “voluntary” industry compliance.
The Campbell River Courtenay and District Labour Council joins the B.C. Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress in calling for the strengthening of legislation to protect worker safety, the hiring of more health and safety inspectors, and the prosecution of employers when their actions cause death or serious injury to workers.
The Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job has grown into a worldwide event observed by unions, central labour bodies, labour councils, municipalities and national governments, including the Parliament of Canada which officially recognized the Day of Mourning in 1991.
The Labour Council will host a national Day of Mourning ceremony at noon on Sunday, April 28 at Frank James Park in Campbell River.
Speakers will include BC NDP candidate, Claire Trevena and Campbell River, Courtenay & District Labour Council president, Andrea Craddock.
For more information, call Tom Hopkins at 250-923-5496. All are welcome.