April 28 is the Day of Mourning, a day to remember workers who have died or become injured because of their work

April 26, 2024

Every year on April 28, workers, families, and others come together at events held around the province to remember those who have been injured or lost their lives on the job and to renew our commitment to creating safter workplaces.

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

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 President Danny Cavanagh says this event is held to remember the workers we lost and to renew our dedication to protecting others. In 2023, 18 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. See below for Halifax agenda and events around NS.

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For more information, contact Joan Wark: 902-471-8104 or Danny Cavanagh: 1-902-957-0822

Speakers at the Halifax event at Province House: 

  • Honourable Minister of Environment and Climate Change Timothy Halman
  • Debbie Richardson, President, Halifax-Dartmouth & District Labour Council
  • Saeed El-Darahali, Board Chair, Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
  • Nicki Beck, Threads of Life
  • Zach Churchill, Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party
  • Gary Burrill, Member of the NS New Democratic Party
  • Danny Cavanagh, President, NS Federation of Labour

EVENTS…

Annapolis Valley Labour Council

Day of Mourning Ceremony

Kentville Memorial Park — at Workers’ Memorial Stone Monument

Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 3:00pm

Contact: Janet Barteaux at Annapolis Valley Labour Council – email: avlcpresident@outlook.com

Nova Scotia Federation of Labour

Day of Mourning Ceremony

Nova Scotia Legislature (Province House) outside grounds

Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 11:00am

Contact: Joan Wark at NS Federation of Labour: 902-454-6735 / email: joan@nslabour.ca

Cape Breton District Labour Council

Day of Mourning Ceremony

Steelworkers and Pensioners’ Hall, 30 Inglis Street, Sydney

Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Contact: Natasha Hogan – email: natasha.hogan.cbdlc@hotmail.com

Pictou County Injured Workers Association

Day of Mourning Ceremony

Trenton Park, 119 Park Road, Trenton

Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 6:00pm

Contact: Mary Lloyd – email: marypciwa@eastlink.ca

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