Day of Mourning: Workers demand action on invisible injuries and hazards

Every year on April 28, Canada marks the National Day of Mourning, a day to remember and honour workers who have lost their lives or been injured due to their jobs. This year, Canada’s unions are calling on decision-makers and employers to take action against invisible workplace hazards and to support workers suffering from both visible and invisible work-related conditions.

“Young workers, in particular, need to know that not all hazards are obvious. Workplace injuries and illnesses don’t always leave visible scars, but they can have lifelong impacts. We must ensure that all workers, especially those new to the workforce, are educated about these risks and that employers take responsibility for providing safe working conditions,” said Chris Watson, Interim President of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour (NBFL). “Every worker deserves to return home safely at the end of their shift. Keeping workers safe also means taking measures to prevent invisible illnesses and injuries, and safeguarding against unseen hazards. Employers and governments must prioritize prevention, enforcement, and accountability.”

Health and safety is about more than what we can see. Many workplace hazards and injuries are invisible, from exposure to harmful chemicals to the mental health toll of stressful or unsafe environments. This year, Canada’s unions are raising awareness of these unseen risks, advocating for education, enforcement, and preventive measures to protect workers from both visible and invisible dangers.

Here in New Brunswick, 19 workers were killed, and 3,658 workers were injured at work in 2023, the most recent year for which statistics are available. Across Canada, there were 1,057 accepted workplace fatalities and 274,022 accepted lost-time claims, reflecting a concerning increase from the previous year.

Too many workers are still getting injured, falling ill, or dying because of their jobs. Despite advancements in workplace safety, the statistics show we are not doing enough.

“This is not just about accidents – it’s about systemic failures in safety enforcement, worker protections, and political will. Decision-makers continue to put workers at risk by placing business interests over worker safety. But the stakes are too high for inaction. With the federal election falling on April 28 this year, worker safety and wellbeing will be on voters’ minds. Workers want to be represented by politicians who have their best interest at heart,” said Watson.

Watson added: “Our governments have a duty to ensure workplaces are safe and that employers comply with health and safety regulations. The Westray Law must be enforced as it was intended, ensuring that those who fail to protect workers are held accountable. We will not stand by while companies cut corners on health and safety to boost their profits. A worker’s life is not a business expense, and we will not allow workplace fatalities to be treated as just another cost of doing business.”

The Westray Law was enacted in 2004, and is named after the Westray Mine explosion, which cost 26 workers their lives in 1996. The law allows for corporations to be held criminally liable for workplace deaths and injuries. Unfortunately, the law has been inconsistently and insufficiently enforced since its inception. In over twenty years, only a handful of criminal charges have been laid, and many cases resulted in fines, which major corporations can easily pay.

On this National Day of Mourning, we remember those we have lost, and we commit to fighting for the living. We call on employers, policymakers, and all Canadians to prioritize workplace safety, enforce existing laws, and ensure that every worker has the protection they deserve. No job is worth a life. Together, we can prevent more tragedies and create safer workplaces for everyone.

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For information, please contact
Chris Watson, Interim President
New Brunswick Federation of Labour
(506) 663-9123

Day of Mourning Events in the province are as follows:

Bathurst & District Labour Council
Bathurst Day of Mourning Monument @ Heritage Museum
360 Douglas Ave, Bathurst, NB near Sacred Heart Cathedral
Monday, April 28, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Serge Plourde, 506 252-6331 / ksplourd@rogers.com

Edmundston & District Labour Council
Park next to Edmundston City Hall, Canada Road
April 28th at 11:30 a.m.
Contact: Lorn Martin at (506) 737-7063 / lornm5@gmail.com

Miramichi & District Labour Council
Newcastle Town Square
141 Henry Street, Miramachi, NB
Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Ryley Hallihan, 506 625-2574 / ryleyhallihan@gmail.com

Moncton & District Labour Council
Cenotaph in Bore Park
11 Bendview Ct, Moncton NB
Monday, April 28, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Melissa Brown, 506-872-4643 / melandjade@hotmail.com

Saint John & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Monument @Frank & Ella Hatheway Labour Exhibit Centre at Rockwood Park
55 Lake Drive South, Saint John, NB
Monday, April 28, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Jean Marc Ringuette, 506 635-1221 / jeanmarc@ibew502.ca

Restigouche & District Labour Council
Dalhousie Lions Club
410 Adelaide Street, Dalhousie, NB
Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 1:00pm
Contact: Brian Arsenault, 506 686-4050 / arsefourteen@gmail.com