Statement by the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour marking the National Day of Mourning Français
GATINEAU, QC, April 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Canadians come together each year on this day to pay tribute to family, friends and colleagues who have been killed or injured, or have suffered illness due to a work-related incident. I offer my sincere condolences on behalf of the Government of Canada to all who have been affected by these tragedies and to those whose lives have been altered following an incident at work.
While it is difficult to believe, on average, almost three workers across Canada die every day as a result of workplace incidents. Every year, thousands more suffer injury or illness because of their working conditions. Every workplace injury or death is one too many.
These tragedies remind us that there is still much work to be done in the field of workplace health and safety in Canada. They also reaffirm the need for government, employers, unions and employees to work together to ensure all workers return home in good health at the end of the day. Together we can build a culture of health and safety at workplaces across Canada. Better health and safety happens through diligent, deliberate actions supported by workers and employers.
Today, we lower our flags to honour our loved ones. At 11:00 a.m., please take a moment of silence to reflect on those we have lost, as well as the thousands of Canadians currently living with the outcome of a workplace accident.
They will never be forgotten.
Associated Links
National Day of Mourning
Workplace health and safety
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
John O'Leary, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, 819-654-5611; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
Share this article