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Greater Victorians gather for Day of Mourning, call for safer workplaces

175 British Columbians lost their lives in the workplace in 2023
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Warren Wulff, a representative of Public Service Alliance of Canada, was one of multiple union representatives who recognized the National Day of Mourning at Camosun College on Sunday, April 28. (Bailey Seymour/The B次元官网网址)

Greater Victoria residents and union representatives gathered at Camosun College to remember those who have been injured or who have lost their lives in the workplace.

On Sunday, April 28, the Canadian flag flew at half-mast on federal government buildings across the country to observe the National Day of Mourning.

B次元官网网址淏ehind every statistic lies a human story, a life lost, a family shattered and a community devastated,B次元官网网址 said Corey McGregor, a representative for the Victoria Labour Council, speaking at Camosun College. B次元官网网址淚n the pursuit of profit, we have witnessed a staggering number of worker injuries and casualties.B次元官网网址

According to the province, last year 175 people died in work-related deaths in B.C., which McGregor said was the B次元官网网址渢ip of the icebergB次元官网网址 as they are only what has been accepted through the workers compensation system.

B次元官网网址淚t is a sobering truth that despite advances in technology and awareness, our workplaces remain perilous for far too many. Behind every workplace accident or occupational illness lies a systemic failure,B次元官网网址 he said.

Charlotte Millington, second vice president of the Hospital Employees Union, added that no one should go to work not knowing if theyB次元官网网址檒l get to return.

B次元官网网址淣o one should come home and find an empty dining room table chair that will never be filled again.B次元官网网址

According to the association of WorkersB次元官网网址 Compensation Boards of Canada, there were 993 workplace fatalities recorded across the country in 2022. Among those who died, 33 were workers aged 15 to 24.

B次元官网网址淚 think of the brave firefighters who lost their lives during last yearB次元官网网址檚 record-breaking wildfire season. I think of the mother of two who died in a crane accident in Vancouver. And I think of all the people whose lives have been forever changed by a workplace injury or the loss of a loved one on the job,B次元官网网址 Premier David Eby said in a statement, marking the day.

The province says there have been changes to the Workers Compensation Act to give people injured at work better supports, and make it easier for workers to organize at work and have more say in workplace safety. In the last year, B.C. increased the minimum age for logging, oil drilling and smelting jobs to 18, and brought in stricter rules around asbestos removals, transportation and disposal.

In 1991, eight years after a day of remembrance was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress, the Parliament of Canada passed the Workers Mourning Day Act, making April 28 an official day of mourning, which is now recognized in over 100 countries.

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Bailey Seymour

About the Author: Bailey Seymour

After graduating from SAIT and stint with the Calgary Herald, I ended up at the Nanaimo B次元官网网址 Bulletin/Ladysmith Chronicle in March 2023
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