Day of Mourning 2023 Ceremony – Electrical Workers Local 993

Posted on April 12, 2023 10:13 am

Kamloops, April 11 – April 28th marks the National Day of Mourning, a day to remember and honor workers who have been killed or injured on the job. This year, we pay tribute to the workers who have lost their lives or have been injured in the Thompson Okanagan region and across Canada in 2023.

Every year, thousands of Canadian workers are injured or killed on the job, and this number continues to rise. The National Day of Mourning is an important reminder that we must do more to protect the health and safety of workers, and to ensure that every worker comes home safely at the end of the day.

“One workplace death is already too many. Workers deserve to arrive home safely at the end of their workday and to live a life free from workplace injuries. Employers are responsible for upholding health and safety standards in the workplace, including providing necessary equipment and training. But workers have rights to know about hazards in their work, to participate in decisions that affect their health and safety and to ultimately refuse unsafe work. We won current health and safety measures through years of hard work and advocacy. I want every worker to know if they see unsafe work, how to refuse and how to report, and how to use their voice to help prevent unsafe work before someone is harmed. We have won rights that can make us safer, but we need to know those rights, and use those rights,” said Lois Rugg, President, Kamloops and District Labour Council.

On this National Day of Mourning, we remember these workers and their families, and we renew our commitment to making workplaces safer. It is important that employers take every necessary step to ensure that workers are provided with a safe and healthy working environment, and that workers are trained and equipped with the knowledge and tools to stay safe on the job.

“Canada’s unions are committed to empowering workers to continue fighting for better workplace protections. This starts with knowing your rights, applying and defending them, and continuing to advocate for better,” said Rugg

Every worker deserves to come home safely at the end of the workday. The nature of work and workplaces have changed drastically in recent years, and workers must be supported in adapting to their changing environments. Canada’s unions support workers in creating a culture of safety and prevention, and demanding that employers and governments respect their own duty to create safe work, call out unsafe work, and be part of a culture of safety and prevention.

More info on the Kamloops & District Labour Council event page.

Other Locations

Prince George

FRIDAY, APRIL 28TH
10:30 am
Wreath laying ceremony and moment of silence
Worker’s Memorial Statue
Patricia Blvd & Queensway St.
Prince George, BC

Williams Lake

FRIDAY, APRIL 28TH
10:30 am
Cenotaph at City Hall
450 Mart St.
Williams Lake, BC

Dawson Creek

THURSDAY, APRIL 28TH
11:40 AM
Worker’s Memorial Sculpture
Dawson Creek City Hall
10105 – 12A Street
Dawson Creek
Public BBQ to follow at the Fire Hall

Fort St. John

FRIDAY, APRIL 28TH
11:45 AM
City Hall
10631 100 St.
March to memorial at Centennial Park
Wreath laying – 12:00 PM
Fort St. John, BC

Hudson’s Hope

FRIDAY, APRIL 28TH
11:00 AM
Municipal Worker’s Monument
Hudson’s Hope District Office
9904 Dudley Dr.
Hudson’s Hope, BC

Fort St. James

FRIDAY, APRIL 28TH
10:30 am
Worker’s Memorial
477 Stuart Dr. West (District Office)
Fort St. James, BC

Kitimat

FRIDAY, APRIL 28TH
11:00 AM
Centennial Park & Cenotaph
Tsimshian Ave, across from the upper City Centre mall parking lot
Kitimat, BC

Salmon Arm

FRIDAY, APRIL 28TH
11:00 am
Marine Park
750 Marine Park Dr.
Salmon Arm, BC

Full list of locations