April 28 marks National Day of Mourning across Canada

Elizabeth Carruthers lays flowers at the National Day of Mourning memorial at Upper Queen’s Park on April 28. With her is her partner, Ron Calder, who told the Times they were attending in honour of a dear friend who died two weeks ago from skin cancer linked to workplace exposure as a flat-roofer. Calder, a member of Wounded Warriors Canada, said he comes to pay respects each year in memory of friends and family members who have been affected by workplace tragedies.

April 28 is the National Day of Mourning across Canada, a time to remember and honour those who have lost their lives or been injured due to a workplace tragedy. The day also sheds light on the importance of improving health and safety in the workplace to prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths.

In Stratford, friends, family and those affected by workplace injuries, along with members of the Stratford Fire Department, Stratford Police Service and several City of Stratford staff, gathered at Upper Queen’s Park to pay their respects.

Among those in attendance was Stratford Police Chief Greg Skinner, who spoke to attendees about the need for continuous prevention measures.

"All work is dangerous and anything can happen, no matter what job we're doing, and it's important for us as leaders of organizations to try to mitigate the risks associated with working on a daily basis and make sure that our people go home safe to their families every night," Skinner said.

He noted that police currently have six staff members off work due to post-traumatic stress injuries.

"I've been a cop for 37 years, and I've had friends die in the line of duty from traffic collisions, from homicides and from suicide. PTSD or occupational stress injuries have a huge impact on frontline service workers," he said.

"We're actively working on improving our workplaces and working conditions to ensure that there are supports in place when people are exposed to traumatic events. We want our staff to know they have our support and that we want them back in the workplace doing the work they so diligently work toward as a career."

Stratford Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Services Neil Anderson also addressed the gathering, speaking about the importance of talking openly about mental health in the workplace.

“It can be difficult for people to seek help, and that's what we're trying to get rid of – the stigma that mental health and mental illness are something to be kept a secret. I want to encourage everyone to speak about mental health,” Anderson said.

According to the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), there were 1,057 workplace fatalities recorded across Canada in 2023. Among these deaths were 29 young workers aged 15 to 24.

The report also recorded 274,022 accepted claims for lost time due to work-related injury or disease, including 32,861 from workers aged 15 to 24. The AWCBC notes these statistics only reflect reported and accepted claims, meaning the true number of workers impacted is likely higher.

The National Day of Mourning also highlights the lasting impact of workplace tragedies on families, friends and co-workers, whose lives are forever changed.