OTTAWA — It began in 1984 when the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) established April 28 as the National Day of Mourning across the country to remember and honour those who have died, been injured or suffered illness on the job.
That date and year were chosen because the CLC wanted it to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the day the first Ontario Worker’s Compensation Act was approved by the government in 1914.
The Day of Mourning was then enshrined in national legislation by an Act of Parliament on Feb. 1, 1991.
Now officially recognized in roughly 100 countries worldwide, whether it is known as the Day of Mourning or Workers’ Memorial Day, the message is the same: to remember those we have lost and to commit to bettering the workplace in order to prevent further tragedies.
Various associations, unions, governments and communities will be hosting public ceremonies today as well as Canadian flags will fly at half-mast on Parliament Hill and other provincial legislative buildings.
People are being encouraged to observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. and to share stories about how workplace tragedies have impacted their lives.
Here is a list of some of the events and activities taking place across the country:
- https://www.wsib.ca/en/day-of-mourning
- https://www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning
- https://canadianlabour.ca/events/day-of-mourning-ceremonies-2025/
- https://ofl.ca/day-of-mourning-events-in-ontario/#:~:text=April%2028%20is%20the%20labour,for%20safe%20and%20healthy%20workplaces
- https://dayofmourning.bc.ca/
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