DAY OF MOURNING - April 28

Last year, pallbearers carried 322 Ontario workers to their graves as a direct result of workplace conditions. Another 357,555 claimed compensation for work-related diseases. Missing from the official record were an estimated 6,000 workers killed by cancer, lung disease and other ailments, all attributed to toxic substance exposures in their workplaces.

In 1988, a resolution introduced into the Ontario Legislature by the Ontario NDP, recognizing April 28 as a Provincial Day of Mourning, passed unanimously.

April 28 was declared a National Day of Mourning in 1991 by Bill C-223, An Act Respecting a Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace.

According to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), commemoration activities are now held in nearly 100 countries. The Day of Mourning is now truly a global event.

April 28th allows all Canadians and people throughout the world to pay respect to those working people who have died or suffered injuries and diseases on the job. While we mourn the dead, labour and all people must dedicate themselves to fight for the living and prevent this terrible and unnecessary toll.