April 28 Day of Mourning will be held at Province House in Halifax at 11 am

April 27, 2023

A ceremony to mark this April 28 Day of Mourning will be held at Province House in Halifax at 11 am this Friday.

The National Day of Mourning commemorates workers who have been killed, injured, or suffered illness due to workplace related hazards or occupational exposures. 

The observance began in 1984 and it was officially declared an annual day of remembrance the following year by the Canadian Labour Congress. In 1991, the day became a national observance when the Workers Mourning Day Act was passed, making April 28 an official Workers’ Mourning Day.

Today, the day is observed in more than 100 countries around the world.

The annual Day of Mourning event is led by the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour and is supported by the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, WCB Nova Scotia, and Threads of Life.

NSFL First Vice-President Sandra Mullen says this event is held to remember the workers we lost and to renew our dedication to protecting others. In 2022, 24 Nova Scotians died while at work, or because of work done in the past.

Please note this event will he held out outside rain or shine.

NSFL Secretary-Treasurer Hugh Gillis will MC the ceremony. He will make a few general comments. He will give everyone notice that 11 am will be soon and we like to start at 11 am sharp.

11 am – A minute of silence

Speakers:

-Minister for Honourable Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services

Debbie Richardson, President of the Halifax-Dartmouth and District Labour Council 

-Shelly Rowan, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia    

-Threads of Life Family Member Candace Palumbo

Zach Churchill, Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party

Claudia Chender, Leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party

-Siobhán Vipond, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress

-NSFL First Vice-President/NSGEU President Sandra Mullen After everyone speaks, Hugh will invite speakers to lay wreaths first in the order in which they spoke in front of the plaque Then he will invite anyone else laying a wreath to come forward and if they wish to, announce who or what organization they are laying a wreath on behalf of.

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