Day of Mourning: Yukon workers remembered

WHITEHORSE: Each year, the Day of Mourning provides us with an opportunity to pay tribute to those who died in work-related incidents or from occupational disease, and to those who have been injured on the job. Due to ongoing COVID-19 safety precautions, the event will be held online again this year. 

Yukoners are invited to view the event live on the Yukon Federation of Labour’s Facebook page at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. 

In 2021, nearly 400 workers were impacted by a workplace injury that required time away from their jobs to recover. In 2021, there were four workplace fatalities.

Quotes

The Day of Mourning provides us with the chance to reflect on the ways in which we all play a part in preventing a workplace injury or death. On April 28, we recommit to workplace safety and remember those who cannot be with us today. 

– Yukon Federation of Labour President Ron Rousseau 

The Day of Mourning pays tribute to the lives lost on the job. We encourage all workplaces and workers to implement workplace safety practices into your daily lives. We must all work together to ensure that workplace injuries and fatalities are mitigated, so we can all come home at the end of the day.

 – President/CEO Kurt Dieckmann

Quick facts

  • In 1984, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) selected April 28 as the Day of Mourning to recognize the 70th anniversary of Canada’s Workers' Compensation Act. 
  • The Canadian Labour Congress declared it an annual day of remembrance in 1985, and the federal government entrenched it in 1991's Workers Mourning Day Act. 
  • Outside of Canada, the day is commonly referred to as Workers' Memorial Day. It is observed in more than 80 countries.
  • Every year, on April 28, the nation pauses to remember our fallen and injured friends, colleagues and family members. On that date, we renew our commitment to health and safety in the workplace.

Related information

Contact

Heather Avery
Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board
Phone: 867-332-4794
Email: [email protected]

Ron Rousseau
President
Yukon Federation of Labour
Phone: 867-334-6860
Email: [email protected]