Day of mourning

Photo: Contributed

Last year, 158 workers died from workplace injury or disease In British Columbia. 

According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, nationally roughly 1,000 workers die each year - nearly three workers a day.

Every year, 250,000 suffer work-related injuries or diseases, and every day, workers suffer from 685 work-related injuries or diseases.

On April 27, the City of Vernon will join in a national day of mourning to pay tribute to the lives lost on the job.

Speakers will include MLA Eric Foster, councillor Juliette Cunningham and representatives from WorksafeBC, BCMSA, RCMP, IAFF and CUPE.

The official day of mourning is April 28. 

The Canadian Labour Congress first recognized the Day of Mourning in 1984. In 1990, the day became a national observance with the passing of the Workers Mourning Day Act, and on April 28, 1991, the federal government officially proclaimed the national Day of Mourning.

Canada was the first nation to recognize the Day of Mourning. Since 1984, acknowledgement of the day has spread too many countries and is now observed throughout the world.

Salmon Arm will mark the day with a ceremony at Marine Park on the 27th at 10:30 a.m.

Armstrong will mark the day on the 28 at the IPE Fairgrounds at 11 a.m.

Kamloops will mark the day with a ceremony on April 28 at St. Andrews on the Square at 6 p.m.

Kelowna will mark the day on with a ceremony at Ben Lee Park on the 28th at 12 p.m.