National Day of Mourning
The National Day of Mourning is a Canadian observance held annually on April 28.
Also known as the Workers' Mourning Day and Workers' Memorial Day, it is a solemn day dedicated to honour workers that have lost their lives, developed illnesses, or suffered injuries due to workplace accidents and occupational exposures.
It serves as both a commemoration and a call to action for improved workplace safety.
Origins of the day
The concept for this day took shape in April 1983 when two Canadian labour activists, Ray Sentes and Colin Lambert, witnessed a funeral procession for a firefighter who had died in the line of duty.
They realized that many workers lose their lives due to unsafe working conditions but do not receive the same recognition.
Inspired by the annual “Workers' Remembrance Day” held for uranium miners in Elliot Lake, they sought support from unions to establish a broader observance.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) promoted the concept in 1983, followed by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984.
Internationally, the AFL-CIO adopted the observance in 1989, and today, Workers' Memorial Day is recognized in over 100 countries.
In Canada, the Workers' Mourning Day Act was passed in December 1990, officially designating April 28 as the National Day of Mourning.
The date was chosen because, on April 28, 1914, the Workers' Compensation Act received its third reading in the Canadian Parliament.
The first official observance took place on April 28, 1991.
How to Observe National Day of Mourning
One of the key ways to observe this day is by holding a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m., allowing individuals and organizations to reflect on the lives lost.
Many people also choose to wear black ribbons or armbands as a sign of solidarity and remembrance.
Memorial ceremonies take place across Canada, where communities gather to pay tribute to fallen workers.
Some may visit worker memorials such as the Canadian Labour Congress Monument in Ottawa or the Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial in Ontario.
Flags on government buildings, including Parliament Hill, are flown at half-mast as a national symbol of respect.
Workplaces can also participate by lowering their flags or organizing discussions on workplace safety.
