Day of Mourning 2021

| April 27, 2021

WHITEHORSE: Each year, the Day of Mourning pays tribute to the lives of the workers lost to work-related incidents or occupational disease, and to those who have been injured on the job. Due to ongoing COVID-19 safety measures 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 or by Zoom that will take place at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28.

In 2020, over 1400 workers were impacted by a workplace injury that required time away from their jobs to recover. In 2020, there were 2 workplace fatalities.

Occupational Health and Safety officers are investigating an incident which resulted in the death of one person on Friday April 23, 2021. A workplace fatality is a truly tragic event; our condolences go out to the deceased person’s family, friends, co-workers and loved ones.

Quotes

The Day of Mourning provides the opportunity to reflect on the ways in which we can do better in our workplaces. On April 28, we reconnect with our commitment to workplace safety, and remind ourselves that we can always do more to protect each other in our workplaces.

– Yukon Federation of Labour President Ron Rousseau

Each year, on April 28, we pay tribute to the lives that have been lost while on the job. Workplace occupational health and safety is critical in mitigating the risk of losing a life in our workplaces, and I encourage all Yukoners to implement it into your everyday life.

 –President/CEO Kurt Dieckmann

Quick facts

  • In 1984, the Canadian Union of Public Workers (CUPE) selected April 28th 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 28th, the nation pauses to remember our fallen and injured friends, colleague and family members. On that date, we renew our commitment to health and safety in the workplace.

Related information

Contact

Heather Avery
Phone: 867-332-4794
Email: [email protected]

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