National Day of Mourning
The Council and Staff of the Township of Billings is reaching out to all the township residents to recognize and remember workers who have been killed, injured or those have been made ill in the workplace on this day that has been dedicated to them.
To provide some background regarding this important day, in 1984, the Canadian Labour Congress established April 28th as the National Day of Mourning in Canada to remember and honour those who have died, been injured or suffered illness in the workplace.
The date was chosen in 1984, when the Canadian Labour Congress proclaimed the Day to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the day the first Ontario Workers Compensation Act that was approved by the government of the day in 1914. The Day of Mourning was enshrined in national legislation by an Act of Parliament on February 1, 1991.
The Day of Morning, also known as Worker’s Memorial Day, is officially recognized in about 100 countries worldwide.
Canadian flags on Parliament Hill and at Queen's Park fly at half-mast on April 28th. The day is traditionally marked in many ways including holding public ceremonies, wearing black and yellow ribbons, lighting candles, observing a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. and sharing stories about how workplace tragedies have touched peoples' lives.
The Township of Billings is a strong promoter of workplace health and safety through its policies and procedures that have been put in place to protect the physical and psychological well-being of its staff as well as the general well-being of the township residents.
If you are wanting to listen to podcast testimonials from survivors and family members who’s loved ones who have been killed, injured or who have become ill in the workplace, or if you are interested in learning more about the National Day of Morning, you can follow the links to the Threads of Life. https://www.threadsoflife.ca/take-action/awareness-and-prevention-of-workplace-tragedy/day-of-mourning/
We will remember!
