April 28, the National Day of Mourning, brings people together to remember the workers who lost their lives or were injured while working. Day of Mourning ceremonies throughout New Brunswick in: Bathurst, Edmundston, Fredericton, Miramichi, Moncton and Saint John.
“Today, not only do we remember those who have fallen and support their families, but we also come together to show our dedication towards improving health and safety provisions and their enforcement,” says Euclide Haché, the Vice-President responsible for the New Brunswick Federation of Labour’s Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Committee. “Every New Brunswicker deserves to come home at the end of their work day healthy and safe.”
In 2018, over 11,200 New Brunswickers were injured on the job while 24 people lost their lives as a result of a workplace injury or disease.
“Recent legislative changes have weakened the workers compensation system in New Brunswick,” says Patrick Colford, NBFL President. “The government prioritized keeping worker’s compensation rates artificially low over ensuring that injured workers, and their families, get the benefits to which they are entitled under the law.”
April 28th was first established in Canada as the National Day of Mourning for workers killed, injured or disabled on the job at the urging of the Canadian Labour Congress. It was recognized as such by the Government of Canada in the year 1991 and in New Brunswick in the year 2000. It is now commemorated in more than 100 countries.
Since the adoption of April 28th as a Day of Mourning, Day of Mourning monuments are becoming some of the most prominent labour landmarks throughout the Canada, including in New Brunswick. Our province currently has seven Day of Mourning monuments. They are located in Atolville, Bathurst, Edmundston, Fredericton Miramichi, Moncton, Saint John and Shippagan.
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For information, please contact:
Euclide Haché
NBFL Vice-President responsible for
Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Committee
(506) 546-8881
Patrick Colford
NBFL President
(506) 857-2125 (work)
(506) 381-8969 (cell)