April 26, 2019 - HALIFAX, NS - Nova Scotians will honour workers who have died or were injured on the job at Day of Mourning ceremonies across the province on Sunday, April 28.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, on behalf of Labour and Advanced Education Minister Labi Kousoulis, Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) Nova Scotia CEO Stuart MacLean and Federation of Labour president Danny Cavanagh will join representatives from the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour at a ceremony at Province House in Halifax.

In 2018, 40 Nova Scotians lost their lives at work or because of work-related injuries, diseases or conditions.

Marilyn D’Entremont, who lost her husband, Lewis, as a result of an incident while fishing, will also speak at the event.

“It’s not just about those 40 people who lost their lives,” said Ms. D’Entremont. “The lives of their families and friends are forever changed too. I lost my husband, but he was also a father, a son and a friend to many.”

“It is important we pause and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on the job,” said Ms. Diab. “This is a day to honour their families and loved ones and to reaffirm our shared commitment to not only reduce workplace fatalities, but to eliminate them completely."

The annual event is organized by the Federation of Labour to publicly acknowledge those affected by workplace tragedy.

“We’ve learned too many lessons and come too far in better understanding how to make workplaces safe,” said Mr. Cavanagh. “We owe it to the thousands of families who have already lost their loved ones to do better for today’s workers.”

Visit dayofmourning.ns.ca for more information and to hear more about Marilyn D’Entremont’s story and others.

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Media Contacts:

Shannon Kerr
Labour and Advanced Education
902-717-6061
Email: shannon.kerr@novascotia.ca               
               
Joan Wark
Nova Scotia Federation of Labour               
902-455-2685
Email: joan@nslabour.ca              

Cindy Porter
WCB Nova Scotia
902-220-6656
Email: cindy.porter@wcb.ns.ca

 

A list of Day of Mourning ceremonies:
-- Province House, 1726 Hollis St., Halifax, at 11 a.m.
-- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 128, 850 Victoria Rd., Sydney at 11 a.m.
-- Kentville Memorial Park, Park St. (Main St.), Kentville at 3 p.m.
-- Bridgewater Fire Department, 81 Dominion St., Bridgewater at 1 p.m.
-- Fisherman's Memorial, Water St., Yarmouth at 2 p.m.
-- Trenton Park, 119 Park Rd., Trenton at 6 p.m.