Release – April 28th is the National Day of Mourning, the day we remember those who have been killed or injured on the job, the day we re-commit ourselves to improving workplace health and safety standards and awareness.
Employment related injury statistics include occupational disease and the numbers are truly shocking. In Ontario alone there were more than 240,000 claims made to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) for injuries and occupational disease in 2011. Worse still, there were 436 fatalities in the province.
Statistics such as these are totally unacceptable in a modern economy.
This year we mark the 20th anniversary of the Westray disaster where 26 coal miners lost their lives, where 26 families were torn apart when their loved ones didn’t return home from work. It was an event that galvanized Canadians and brought long awaited changes to the Criminal Code making corporations and senior officers legally responsible for harm caused to workers or the public due to negligence.
“A flag will be flown at half-mast this weekend at City Hall in Timmins in memory of those who have lost their lives and for those who are suffering the effects of workplace injuries. It is a reminder that we have a long way to go in order to make sure workers are able to return home to enjoy the quality time we all deserve with our families” says Ben Lefebvre, President of the Timmins and District Labour Council.
Please join us on Saturday, April 28 starting at 10:30 AM, at the Lions Den in the McIntyre Community Centre in Schumacher. A short ceremony will be held at 11:00 AM at the Porcupine Miner’s Memorial followed by refreshments and light snacks in the Lions Den.
