April 28, 2014 Ottawa, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
To mark the National Day of Mourning held each year on April 28th, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, issued the following statement:
“Today, on the National Day of Mourning, we pay tribute to the many Canadians who have been injured, suffer from illness or have lost their lives due to a workplace accident or hazard. I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of these workers.
Work-related accidents and illnesses are detrimental to families and to our communities. As an orthopedic surgeon, I have seen the devastation of job-related injuries and the long lasting effect they have on the patients, their families and their communities.
In 2012 alone, in all Canadian workplaces, 245,000 people were injured while working. Moreover, each year across Canada, in both provincially and federally regulated sectors, close to 1,000 workers lose their lives on the job.
Our government is committed to protecting the health and safety of our most valuable resources, workers of all ages. We will continue to work closely with employers, employees, regulators and stakeholders to raise awareness in identifying work-related dangers and to help prevent on the job accidents, injuries and illnesses.
Today, as we honour those workers who have lost their lives, let us make a commitment to ensuring that our workers return home safely at the end of their work day.”
- 30 -
Contacts
Andrew McGrath
Press Secretary
Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
819-953-5646
andrew.mcgrath@labour-travail.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter
