ESTEVAN — A group of people gathered at the coal car by the Estevan Court House on April 28 for the annual Day of Mourning service.
Twenty-seven workplace fatality claims were accepted by the Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board last year. Darcy Wright, a retired member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2067, read each of the names, as well as their age, occupation and cause of death. A candle was lit for each of them and a moment of silence was observed.
Wright said the number of fatalities has been consistent in the past few years. He urged the government to take action to improve workplace safety. The people who died could be making a positive impact on the community, he said.
Wright noted the total didn't include those who were injured while on the job; if it did, there would be many more names.
Flags were lowered to half-mast at many locations in the community as part of the Day of Mourning.
April 28 was first declared as the National Day of Mourning by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984. The day is now annually observed across Canada as a way to pay tribute to individuals killed, injured or stricken with illness in the workplace.
