Workplace safety focus of National Day of Mourning

By Lethbridge Herald on April 29, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

Monday marked National Day of Mourning to remember those who have lost their lives, become injured or fallen ill due to work-related incidents. 

National Day of Mourning was officially recognized by the Canadian government in 1991, eight years after the day of remembrance was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress. Since then, it has spread to more than 100 countries worldwide. 

According to the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Alberta, 203 individuals lost their lives due to workplace injuries or illnesses in 2024 across the province.

On Monday, the City of Lethbridge hosted its annual memorial ceremony at the CUPE 70 Workers Memorial Site in Mountain View Cemetery where representatives from the city, city council, Lethbridge Police Service, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services, dignitaries and CUPE 70 members and other local organizations gathered to lay wreaths and talk about the importance of making sure every worker goes home at the end of the day.

During the ceremony Mayor Blaine Hyggen spoke about the importance of workplace safety as many lives have been lost due to workplace incidents. 

“As mayor and as part of our council, I am committed to working with local businesses, labour organizations and government agencies to promote a culture of safety,” said Hyggen. 

Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh, also spoke during the ceremony and said that behind every statistic there is a person, a loved one, a friend, a colleague, who’s absence is deeply felt and who’s stories compel others to act. 

“Today we are not here just to mourn, we are here to renew our commitment to creating safer workplaces, where every person has the right to return home healthy and whole at the end of the day,” said Mehdizadeh. 

After the ceremony, Tim Scott, workplace safety specialist with the City of Lethbridge, emphasized the importance of recognizing that workplace incidents can have a long-term impact, not only on the workers but on their family and friends as well. 

“It’s important to bring that up once a year, to make sure people remember that. It is important to have safety protocols and safe work practices in place, using PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), making sure we are providing training and that everyone is looking out for each other.”

He added that everyone needs to have good communication in the workplace, as it provides a way for everyone to be aware of safe work practices, to stay up to date with training and become aware of what needs to be improved. 

Also, he explained that workers have the right to refuse unsafe work conditions, and communication is key to exercising that right. 

“If there is something that you don’t understand, something that you feel is unsafe, you need to bring it up,” said Scott. “You have the right to bring it up.” 

He added that supervisors and managers need to understand that by workers communicating their concerns, is the only way to find out what needs to be improved, and they should encourage their workers to participate in that communication.