By Mary Giuliano
Friday, April 26 was the Workers Day of Mourning and City employees commemorated the occasion with a ceremony in front of City Hall.
Staff and workers gathered at 10:30 a.m. to pay respect to workers lost or injured in the workplace. Mike Poirier conducted the short service on behalf of the employees. He read a message from the Union giving a brief explanation of the meaning of the day, asked me in my capacity as mayor to say a few words and then requested a moment of silence. Worker’s Memorial Day was started by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in 1984. In 1985 The Canadian Labour Congress officially declared April 28 as the annual day of remembrance for workers who have been killed and injured on the job. This date was chosen because it was on this day in 1914 that the third reading of the Workmen’s Compensation Act took place. On December 28, 1990 the Government of Canada passed the Workers Mourning Day Act, establishing April 28 as the official National Day of Mourning for persons killed or injured in the workplace, making that day an official Worker’s Mourning Day. Since then this day has been observed in over 80 countries, the Canadian flag is flown at half-mast on Parliament Hill and workers and employees observe this day by wearing black ribbons, armbands and having a moment of silence. The purpose of this day is to remember and honour those lives lost or injured and to renew the commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace to prevent further deaths, injuries and diseases from work. As mayor I expressed my thanks to all the employees for being conscientious about safety in the City of Fernie. Commitment to safety is noticed and appreciated not only in the City but in all workplaces.