Honouring Workers, Families on Day of Mourning
Candace Palumbo of Threads of Life, a support and advocacy organization, sits in front of wreaths placed outside Province House during the 2023 Day of Mourning ceremony. Her husband, Tony, died at age 59 from asbestos-related mesothelioma. (Communications Nova Scotia / File)
Nova Scotians come together annually on April 28 to remember those who have died or were injured because of a workplace accident or work-related illness as part of the National Day of Mourning.
It is also an occasion to underline the importance of safety in the workplace, which can prevent tragedies.
“Today, we join communities, workplaces and families across Nova Scotia in paying tribute to those who have died or been injured on the job,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman, on behalf of Jill Balser, Minister of Labour Skills and Immigration. “We ask all Nova Scotians to use this day as a day for remembrance and a call to action to make workplaces safe for all workers.”
This year, the Day of Mourning reflects on the life of Kyle Hickey, who died in March 2008 at age 22 after an explosion at his workplace. For the Hickey family, the pain of the loss is made worse knowing that his death could have been prevented. View Mr. Hickey’s story at: https://dayofmourning.ns.ca/ A Day of Mourning ceremony will be held at Province House in Halifax on Sunday, April 28, at 11 a.m.
Quotes:
“Supporting workers and families in the aftermath of a workplace tragedy is some of the most important work that our workplace safety system – and the WCB – is honoured and humbled to do. More important still is the work that we must all do to ensure every Nova Scotian who goes to work comes home safe and sound at the end of the day.”
— Karen Adams, CEO, WCB Nova Scotia
“Recognizing the National Day of Mourning is essential to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives or suffered injury or illness due to work-related incidents while also raising awareness about the importance of workplace safety and prevention measures for workers is essential on this day.”
— Danny Cavanagh, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour
Quick Facts:
- the annual Day of Mourning event in Nova Scotia is led by the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour and is supported by the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, WCB Nova Scotia and Threads of Life
- in 2023, 18 Nova Scotians died at work or because of their work, including seven acute traumatic injuries and 11 chronic injury fatalities
- chronic injuries include cardiac issues, stroke, occupational diseases and other exposures
Additional Resources:
Information about the investigation process for workplace accidents: https://novascotia.ca/workplace-accidents-and-fatalities-investigation-process/
WCB Nova Scotia: https://www.wcb.ns.ca/
Nova Scotia Federation of Labour: https://nslabour.ca/
Threads of Life: https://threadsoflife.ca/