Nova Scotians Honour Workers and Families on Day of Mourning

NOTE: A list of ceremonies across the province follows the release.

Nova Scotians will honour workers killed or injured on the job at Day of Mourning ceremonies across the province today, April 28.

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Westray mining disaster. Allen Martin’s brother, Glenn, was one of the 26 men who died.

“Think, live and preach safety, as there is no job in the world worth your life. If it doesn’t look safe or feel safe it’s not – get out of there,” said Mr. Martin. “All Glenn and those other young men wanted was to go to work, collect a paycheque and come home.”

Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan and Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia CEO Stuart MacLean will attend a ceremony at Province House.

“It’s important to remember and pay tribute to those who were injured or lost their lives on the job,” said Ms. Regan. “This day reminds us all of the importance of safety, and helps build on efforts across the province to make our workplaces safer. We all have the right to come home safely at the end of the day.”

The ceremony is being organized by the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour to publicly acknowledge those affected by workplace tragedy.

“Ceremonies like this have been held across Canada since 1984,” said Danny Cavanaugh, president, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour. “The grim reality of workplace death and injury never changes, but our resolve grows stronger in our commitment to keeping each other safe.”

In 2016, 20 Nova Scotian workers lost their lives at work or because of work-related injuries, diseases or conditions.

For more information on the Day of Mourning, and to hear Glenn Martin’s story, visit http://dayofmourning.ns.ca.

The following is a list of National Day of Mourning ceremonies:

• Province House, 1726 Hollis St., Halifax, at 11 a.m.
• Memorial Park, Park St., Kentville at 7 p.m.
• Fisherman's Memorial, corner of Bluenose Dr. and King St. Lunenburg, at 4 p.m.,
• UNIFOR Local 972 Union Hall, 323 Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury, at 7 p.m.
• Royal Canadian Legion Branch 128, 850 Victoria Rd., Sydney, at 11 a.m.
• Trenton Park, 119 Park Rd, Trenton at 6 p.m.
• Fisherman's Memorial, Water St., Yarmouth, at noon
• Trenton Park, 119 Park Rd., Trenton at 6 p.m.