In the year 2023, 1057 Canadian workers lost their lives due to injuries or diseases caused by their working environments.
The injury fatality rate in the Northwestern Territories and Nunavut is the highest in the country, standing at a 5-year average of 7.2 deaths per 100,000. Meanwhile, Ontario continues to record high occupational disease-related fatality rates with a 5-year average of 4.7 deaths per 100,000.
The loss of a loved one due to factors that could have been controlled with tighter safety laws and measures can be a deeply tragic experience.
At Act First Safety, providers of safety courses in Ontario and firm believers of the fact that every worker deserves to go home safe, we extend our sincerest regret to all families who have lost a near and dear one to workplace-related causes.
That is why we are here today – to talk about the National Day of Mourning in Canada, which is observed every April 28th. This day is a sombre reminder of the workers who've lost their lives, suffered injuries, or fallen ill because of their jobs.
This annual national tribute was formally established back in 1991, thanks to the Workers Mourning Day Act, which was a direct response to what is commonly referred to as the 1974 Sudbury Mine Movement that rocked the Canadian Labour Congress and ushered in a new era of worker safety across Canada.
Understanding The History & Importance of The National Day of Mourning
In Ontario, the official start of the National Day of Mourning was in 1985, not long after the government had picked April 28 as the date to commemorate the passing of the province's first Workers' Compensation Act back in 1914 - a retrospective milestone significant to the Ontario labor force.
Official Recognition of the Day
A year before it became a national observance, the Parliament passed Bill C-223 in December 1990, which came to be known as the Workers Mourning Day Act. This finally gave the National Day of Mourning the official national status it deserved from the year 1991 onwards.
The Day's Purpose
The day's intent is to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives, support their families in their time of grief, and to re-commit to making workplaces safer through renewed health and safety standards.
It's Time to Remember: Fight for the Living, Mourn for the Dead
Even with the progress made on the workplace safety front, accidents, injuries, and fatalities are not a thing of the past. They continue to plague workforces across the world, prompting more than a hundred countries to observe their own version of Workers' Memorial Day, the seeds of which were sown in Canada.
The grassroots of the National Day of Mourning can be traced back to the Canadian labor movement’s push for the official recognition of workers who have been hurt or killed on the job – something that's long been done for fallen police officers and firefighters.
Eventually, the government recognized the role workers play in the establishment of modern societies, thereby saluting their invaluable efforts with a day dedicated to their sacrifices.
How Ontario’s Labor Movement Shaped The National Day of Mourning
In the late 1970's, the campaign for a Day of Mourning in Ontario was driven by a series of tragic events. One of the key figures lobbying for change included a former Sudbury miner, Colin Lambert, who was shaken by the frequent deaths in the mining industry and the lack of safety protocols that would protect miners from working in dangerous conditions.
Sudbury Mining Conditions: Repeatedly disregarded, unsafe, and hazardous conditions were affecting miners in the northern Ontario mining communities like Sudbury and Elliot Lake. Miners were experiencing slow deaths from high rates of silicosis and lung cancer caused by dust, including uranium and radiation (radon) exposure. Despite worker safety concerns, complaints were consistently ignored.
Uranium Strike 1974: A 14-day-long wildcat strike by uranium miners in Elliot Lake over concerns of high levels of lung cancer and silicosis was a crucial catalyst for better health and safety awareness in Canada, particularly in the risky mining industry.
Personal Advocacy: In 1983, after witnessing a funeral for a firefighter, Lambert and fellow activist Ray Sentes realized that workers killed at the workplace were getting little to no public recognition.
Legislative Advocacy: After convincing the CUPE and the Canadian Labour Congress to back the day in the mid-1980s, Lambert and fellow activists spent years lobbying for official recognition – until the federal government finally passed the Workers Mourning Day Act in 1991.
The Humble Canary – A Symbol of Honor & Respect
The yellow canary has become a poignant symbol of the National Day of Mourning. The reason why it was chosen was that canaries kept in cages were used as early warning systems for hazardous conditions deep in the coal mines. The yellow canary was adopted as the official mascot of the day in 1990 by CUPE, and acclaimed health and safety advocate, Colin Lambert.
Historical Significance of Yellow Canaries
This tiny bird was long used in the mining industry to warn miners of dire working conditions:
- Sentinels of Life: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, coal miners used caged canaries to detect deadly gases like carbon monoxide.
- The Warning Signal: The bird's distress was a clear signal for miners to evacuate and the canary became a poignant reminder of the human struggle to survive in the face of industrial dangers.
- The Fragility of Human Life: The canary symbolized how fragile human life is, especially in hazardous workplaces.
What The Canary Stands For Today
In the context of the National Day of Mourning, the canary is a powerful reminder that workers are often the frontline warriors of society, faced with hazardous conditions every day that no one else would dare to.
The goal is to use the canary as a symbol of motivation, to do better, and to shift towards a proactive approach to safety – something that the National Day of Mourning embodies through its fight for workplace safety and support for families.
In recognition of this, the canary has become a symbol of caution and warning. Its colors, black and yellow, are used to decorate Day of Mourning pins, ribbons, and posters, serving as a reminder of what has passed with the hope for a safer future.
Key Traditions & Observances
Canada observes several long-standing traditions to mark the National Day of Mourning, with each focused on remembering the past while advocating for better workplace safety today and tomorrow.
- Flags at Half-Mast: The Canadian flag is flown at half-mast on Parliament Hill, and all federal government buildings throughout the country from dawn till sunset.
- A Moment of Silence: Across the country, people are requested to observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. to pay their respects to those who've died or been hurt on the job.
- Showing Support: Many people wear black and yellow ribbons, commemorative pins or armbands to show they care. Some workplaces ask employees to wear dark clothing to show solidarity.
- Public Rallies and Ceremonies: Labor councils and unions organize local events that usually include laying wreaths, lighting candles, and the commencement of heartfelt speeches from families and workers who have been affected by workplace tragedy.
- Safety First: Public organizations like the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) do their part by providing posters and resources to help workplaces rethink their safety strategies and the measures they can take to prevent future tragedies.
2026 Events in Ontario
In 2026, with April 28 falling on a Tuesday, many regional labour councils are planning special events for the day. You can check in with your municipality to learn about events in your area.
Final Words: Safety Is A Priority
A lot of us have someone in our family trees who has either been hurt on the job or died doing their job. The National Day of Mourning is a good time to take a moment to reflect on just how important it is to have a safe workplace every single day for every worker.
At Act First Safety, we are on a mission to support the establishment of safe workplaces across Ontario by providing CPO-approved training programs. From JHSC training to asbestos training, propane training and more, our certified courses educate workers about safe work practices in the most hazardous conditions. Contact us to book a training session for your crew at our Scarborough facility, which is located off Highway 401.
FAQs
What role do employers play on the National Day of Mourning?
On this day, employers are encouraged and expected to observe the day and promote safety awareness, review existing policies, and reinforce their commitment to protecting their workers.
How can workplaces participate in the National Day of Mourning?
By holding safety meetings, observing a moment of silence at 11:00 am, attending local ceremonies, and organizing safety awareness campaigns for their crews.
Which industries have been most affected by workplace fatalities in Canada?
The most heavily affected industries include construction, mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. The prevalence of hazards in the working environments of each of these industries can pose serious safety risks.
