April 28th marks the National Day of Mourning - a day to remember and mourn those who have been killed or injured on the job. Dozens of events are taking place across the country to observe the day, including the Leaders' Walk, which took place today in Winnipeg.
A noon hour ceremony organized by SAFE Workers of Tomorrow also took place. Workers, representatives from labour, government and students walked from the Union Centre at Broadway and Smith, along Broadway to the Legislature.
The Day of Mourning was first observed in 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress. It is a day set aside to remember and mourn for workers who have been killed or injured in our workplaces.
On December 28, 1990, the Parliament of Canada passed a private members Bill, sponsored by Churchill NDP MP Rod Murphy, officially declaring that day a national Day of Mourning. It was first held under that status on April 28, 1991.
Since then, the Day of Mourning has spread to more than 80 countries around the world and has been officially adopted by the AFL-CIO and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.