Canada Remembers Fallen and Injured Workers on National Day of Mourning
A national moment of silence will spotlight the urgent need to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Apr 04, 2025
Workplaces across Canada will mark the National Day of Mourning on April 28, honoring workers who have died, been injured, or become ill due to work-related incidents.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is encouraging individuals, workplaces, and communities to pause for a moment of silence at 11 a.m. local time to remember those affected and to reflect on the importance of health and safety in the workplace.
“The National Day of Mourning is not only about remembrance, but also an opportunity to create awareness and focus on prevention to ensure health and safety is a priority in every workplace,” said Anne Tennier, president and CEO of CCOHS.
In 2023, the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) recorded 1,057 workplace fatalities nationwide, including 29 young workers aged 15 to 24. The agency also reported 274,022 accepted claims for time lost due to workplace injuries or illnesses, with 32,861 of those involving young workers.
Officials note that these figures reflect only accepted claims and may not capture the full extent of workplace-related harm across the country.
Resources and information about the Day of Mourning are available at www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.