On April 29, 2019 The Harbridge + Cross Health & Safety department alongside local trade unions, workers’ rights activists and local government participated in the annual National Day of Mourning at the Woodbridge Memorial Arena. The goal of this event is to honour and pay tribute all those men, women and young adults that lost their lives due to workplace accident. During the event many speeches and testimonials were given by members of the community addressing how the lost of a loved one has impacted their lives and family. Each voice calling for government, business and labour groups to step and put an end to workplace deaths by adopting a strong culture of health and safety. “Everyone that goes to work deserves to come home at the end of the day”, Mario Ferri Deputy Mayor City of Vaughan.
In 2017, more than 950 workers died on the job in Canada, up 46 from the previous year. 23 of those workers were between the age of 15 to 24 years of age. More than 251, 000 workers are reported to have filed for work related injury or disease, with many more going un reported.
The Woodbridge Memorial Area is a fitting location to host the Day of Mourning as the statues at the center depicts a fallen worker being helped by another worker. The statues are beside a concrete column that resemble a bridge under construction that is collapsing. The Woodbridge Memorial is an architectural design by Nino Rico Architect Inc. In 1984, the Canadian Labour Congress established April 28th as the National Day of Mourning in Canada to remember and honour those who have died, been injured or suffered illness in the workplace. The date was chosen in 1984, when the Canadian Labour Congress proclaimed the day to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the day the first Ontario Worker’s Compensation Act was approved by the government (1914). The Day of
Mourning was enshrined in national legislation by an Act of Parliament on February 1, 1991. The Day of Mourning, also known as Workers’ Memorial Day, is officially recognized in about 100 countries worldwide. At Harbridge + Cross we are committee to Health & Safety.
“The National Day of Mourning is not only a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy, but also a day to collectively review our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace”.
