Day of Mourning: Workers’ safety and wellbeing must be a top priority 

Every year on April 28, workers in Canada mark the National Day of Mourning, a solemn day to remember and honour workers who have been injured, made ill, or lost their lives because of their job. Today, we come together in remembrance and solidarity, and we reflect on the lives forever changed by workplace tragedies. We recommit ourselves to ensuring that workers return home safely at the end of each day. 

This year, Canada’s unions are calling for urgent action to address not only visible workplace hazards, but also those that can’t be seen. The mental health toll of unsafe, under-resourced, or stressful work environments is real. The effects of exposure to hazardous substances and poor indoor air quality can also have lifelong impacts. Just because an injury or condition doesn’t leave physical scars, doesn’t mean they’re any less life-altering.  

In 2023 alone, Canada saw 1,057 accepted workplace fatalities and over 274,000 accepted lost-time injury claims. These are not just numbers: they represent people whose lives were cut short or permanently altered. And these numbers only scratch the surface. Many more injuries and illnesses go unreported, unrecognized, and unsupported—especially when they are invisible. 

“This isn’t just about accidents—it’s about systemic failures,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “When corners are cut, when regulations are ignored or under-enforced, and when profits are prioritized over people, workers pay the price. The Westray Law exists to hold employers criminally accountable for workplace deaths caused by negligence. But without consistent enforcement, its power is limited. A worker’s life is not a business expense.” 

Young workers are especially vulnerable. Many are entering the workforce unaware of the risks that aren’t obvious; risks that can lead to lasting harm. Every worker has the right to know what they’re being exposed to, and every employer has the duty to provide a safe, healthy work environment. That includes protecting workers from invisible hazards and recognizing mental health injuries as valid and compensable. 

This year’s National Day of Mourning coincides with the federal election. Canada’s unions are urging voters to keep workers’ wellbeing in mind as they head to the polls.  

“Workplace injuries and illnesses are preventable; they are not just part of the job. Every worker deserves to return home safe and healthy at the end of their shift,” said Bruske. “So today, we mourn, but we also fight. We fight for the living. We fight for justice. And we fight for a future where no one risks their life or their wellbeing for a paycheque.”