Stratford citizens laid out roses in remembrance of those who have lost their lives while on the job.
The National Day of Mourning is held annually across Canada. It is a dedicated day to remember those who have lost their lives, suffered an injury or illness at work, or have otherwise experienced a work-related tragedy.
At the bandshell at Upper Queen’s Park, Patti-Jo Lindner, president of the Stratford and District Labour Council, began the proceedings. She highlighted the importance of the day, saying it is beyond just memorializing those affected – it is also about prevention.
“Today we call on our workers to know that they have rights,” Lindner said. “That the government is there to enforce their laws and that employers keep workers safe and be part of a culture of prevention.”
The Stratford and District Labour Council hosted the event on April 28, inviting local politicians to speak. Mayor Martin Ritsma, MPP Matthew Rae, and MP John Nater reiterated the importance of the Day of Mourning.
Stratford Police Chief Greg Skinner said life has been especially hard for officers in Canada, he said.
“I’ve been a police officer for almost 30 years,” Chief Skinner said. “In the past six months in Canada, nine police officers have died in the line of duty. All of them, I’d like to remember today.”
Chief Skinner read the names of those that died in the line of duty, and circumstances of their deaths. What was most concerning for him is that those officers died doing what is expected of officers each and every day.
“They were all heroes in life, not death,” Chief Skinner said.
After the speeches, Rev. Dr. Scott Boughner of Zion United Church in Rostock gave a final blessing and then members of the public were invited to lay a rose at the permanent memorial to the National Day of Mourning behind the bandshell.
One by one, members of the public laid their roses.
According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, there were 1,081 workplace fatalities in 2021. That doesn’t include nearly 277,000 claims for lost time due to workplace injuries or sickness.
The Day of Mourning is a day to pause, reflect, and remember. On the Stratford and District Labour Council’s Facebook post regarding the event, they wrote that it is more than a slogan and #makeworksafe is more than a hashtag.
