The 28th of April is International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers organized worldwide by the trade union movement since 1996. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) reminds us that the National Day of Mourning, April 28, is not only a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy, but also a day to renew the commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
The Workers Mourning Day Act took effect on February 1, 1991
Act respecting a Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace:
WHEREAS it is desirable that Canadians should designate a day of mourning to remember workers killed, disabled or injured in the workplace and workers afflicted with industrial disease;
AND WHEREAS Canadians seek earnestly to set an example of their commitment to the issue of health and safety in the workplace;
NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
This Act may be cited as the Workers Mourning Day Act:
Day of Mourning:
2 (1) Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the 28th day of April shall be known under the name of “Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace”.
Not a legal holiday:
(2) For greater certainty, the Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day and shall not be required to be kept or observed as such.
On April 28, Canadian flags on Parliament Hill and in federal government buildings will fly at half-mast to honour the workers whose lives have been lost, who have been injured or disabled on the job, or who suffer from occupational disease. Employers and workers will observe the National Day of Mourning in various ways. Some will attend ceremonies, light candles, lay wreaths, wear commemorative pins, ribbons, or black armbands, and pause for a minute of silence at 11:00 a.m.
Please find below information on ceremonies that are being held across the province:
London – Tolpuddle Co Op Community Room, 380 Adelaide St. North 10:00 a.m. – Hybrid
Toronto – Larry Sefton Park – 12:00 p.m.
Oshawa – 50 Centre Street S. – 11:00 a.m.
Ottawa – Vincent Massey Park – 12:30 p.m.
Kingston – OPSEU Regional Office – 824 John Counter Blvd – 4:30 p.m.
Sault Ste Marie – 68 Dennis Street, Main Hall – 11:00 a.m. doors open at 10:30 a.m.
Sudbury – Fraser Auditorium – 9:30 a.m.
Cornwall – Lamoureux Park – 11:45 a.m.
Peterborough – Peterborough City Hall – 10:45 a.m.
For more information on ceremonies across Ontario here is the link: Day of Mourning Ceremonies 2022 – Canadian Labour Congress