Every year on April 28, communities across Ontario and all of Canada honour those who have lost their lives, been injured, or made ill because of their jobs. Thousands of workers, supporters, friends and families of workers, gather at ceremonies to acknowledge the importance of this solemn occasion.

For more than thirty-five years the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. has dedicated itself to improving workplace conditions for all workers. This includes the recognition and identification of an illness or injury or death that has been caused by hazardous work followed by recommendations to make the workplace safer.  Despite the strides we have made, there is nevertheless a long way to go — the annual number of worker fatalities in this province is unacceptable. Poor workplace conditions cause injuries, illnesses and deaths every day.

No one should ever get the dreadful news that a loved one won’t be coming home. No worker should ever discover that an on-the-job exposure has caused their incurable disease or illness and affected their life expectancy or quality of life. The ability to prevent these tragedies lies in working together. The Day of Mourning is a time to acknowledge that all of us can make our workplaces safer and free from injuries and deaths. It requires compassion and commitment, and a willingness to take action and stand up for what is right.

The Worker’s Health and Safety Centre has more information, including a published list of events for the Day of Mourning in communities across the province. On April 28, let’s demonstrate our compassion for those whose lives have been impacted, and our ongoing commitment to making workplaces safer.