A day of mourning for those killed on the job

Fredericton-Firefighters and residents of Fredericton gathered together on April 28th to remember the needless deaths of workers in Canada. The National Day of Mourning Ceremony was held along the south bank of the Saint John River.

People from the area came out to remember friends and family who were killed in workplace accidents. David Frank, a labour historian at the University New Brunswick, spoke at the event. “This day is here to remind us that death, disability, and disease are part of the story of the Canadian workplace,” said Frank.

Workplace accidents happen, and can lead to injury or death. According to Frank, “The numbers are astonishing. Every day, year in and year out, almost three Canadian lives are claimed by workplace injuries.”

After hearing from guest speakers, the group walked to the Fallen Firefighters Monument on the shore. It was chosen because it represents the lives of every Fredericton firefighter killed in the line of duty. Each attendee respectively left one white rose in remembrance. The Fredericton ceremony was organized by the Fredericton and District Labour Council.