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Day of Mourning Statement, April 28 – Disability Rights Caucus 

April 29, 2025
Day of Mourning Statement, April 28 – Disability Rights Caucus 
width=The National Day of Mourning, or Workers’ Mourning Day in Canada, is observed annually on April 28. It is a time to honour workers who have died, been injured, or acquired a disability due to workplace hazards or occupational exposures. It is also time to recommit advocating for stronger health and safety protections in the workplace—protections that are critical to preventing further injuries, illnesses, and deaths. According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), there were 1,057 workplace fatalities recorded across Canada in 2023 alone. In addition, there were 274,022 accepted claims for time lost due to work-related injury or illness. These numbers reflect only the reported and accepted claims; we know the actual numbers are far greater. 

Workplace Accountability and Systemic Issues

We must also recognize the systemic barriers many workers face when reporting injuries. Some employers use intimidation or discourage injury claims in order to keep their accident rates low—and their WSIB premiums even lower. In November 2024, WSIB awarded over $2 billion in rebates to employers with low injury rates, while injured workers continue to struggle on inert disability payments where meaningful increases are yet to come.  In some workplaces, unrealistic deadlines are pushed at the cost of safety, forcing workers to choose between getting the job done and getting it done safely. We must remember working safely protects not just ourselves, but also our friends, families, coworkers, and the communities in which we live, support and serve.  We must continue to amplify our voices about the importance of workplace health and safety. New workers, especially youth, must be trained before starting their first jobs. The Workers Health and Safety Centre, in partnership with United Steelworkers, brings safety education to a number of elementary and secondary schools to teach students about their rights, workplace hazards, and how to advocate for themselves. Joint Health and Safety Committees are essential for identifying and addressing hazards in workplaces and ensuring that workers are protected. While on this April 28 National Day of Mourning we mourn and commemorate those we’ve lost, we must also remain vigilant every day—demanding that employers who ignore safety standards be held fully accountable for the thousands of preventable injuries and deaths that still occur across Canada each year. The OPSEU/SEFPO Disability Rights Caucus reminds everyone that all workers have the right to go to work and return home safely at the end of each shift. On the National Day of Mourning, and every day, let this continue to be our guiding principle.  

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