The annual Day of Mourning on April 28 commemorates workers who have been killed or seriously injured as a result of their job. In B.C., family survivors will be joined by workers, unions, employers and local labour councils to mark the day with more than 35 ceremonies throughout the province.
In 2018, there were 131* work-related deaths in B.C., 66 resulting from occupational disease (primarily related to historical asbestos exposure), and 65 resulting from traumatic injuries. In the Okanagan-Similkameen region in 2018, 4 work-related death claims were accepted.
A public memorial ceremony is being held in Kelowna with presentations from:
Date: Sunday, April 28, 2019
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Ben Lee Park, 900 Houghton Road
The Canadian Labour Congress held the first National Day of Mourning ceremony in 1985, making Canada the first country to formally commemorate workers killed in the workplace. In 1991, the federal government passed the Workers Mourning Act, and the following year British Columbia proclaimed April 28 the Day of Mourning. Today, it is recognized in 100 countries around the world.