Canadian workers and their representatives have always shown leadership including leading efforts to establish a National and International Day of Mourning for workers.

They understood then as they do now, when any worker is killed, injured, or made ill on the job, the impact ripples through families, communities, and workplaces across Ontario. These tragedies hit close to home. And they are unacceptable because they are preventable.

This year, Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) Day of Mourning message is clear: Safeguarding workers’ lives and livelihoods also starts close to home. The solutions to stop workplace tragedies can often be found in our communities, our workplaces, government legislatures, and in strong health and safety training that puts prevention first.

On April 28 join workers, their families, labour councils, unions, and community partners as they gather at Day of Mourning events across Ontario to remember workers injured, killed, or made ill because of hazardous work and unhealthy environments. On this day and every day, they also work to secure safer, healthier workplaces and communities.

ATTEND A DAY OF MOURNING EVENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

Leadership and legacy

Canadian workers led the way. The world followed. The Day of Mourning—now observed in more than 100 countries—began right here in Canada. First recognized by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1986, then by our federal government in 1991, and later by Ontario’s provincial government in 2016, the day is a powerful reminder of what workers, unions, and their allies can achieve when we stand together.

The road to officially recognize a National Day of Mourning for workers was long. To ensure those lessons are not lost, WHSC has reissued an archival video which documents the events that led to our Day of Mourning, why the day remains relevant today and why the fight for safer and healthier work is far from over.

WHSC executive director, Andrew Mudge, explains, “The recent surge in Canadian pride and celebrations of our achievements has been uplifting. The Day of Mourning is another uniquely Canadian milestone. This is our legacy too. But it’s not just about the past. Much work remains. Many workplace hazards remain unaddressed, and workers continue to suffer from preventable mental and physical injuries and illnesses. Let’s draw strength from our past achievements and each other, then remember, recommit, and train for safer, healthier work.”

VIEW WHSC’S DAY OF MOURNING VIDEO

WHSC Day of Mourning Resources
Visit our dedicated Day of Mourning web page. Plan to attend at least one event.
Download and share WHSC Day of Mourning resources:

• 2025 Day of Mourning brochure Safeguarding worker lives and livelihoods. Close to home.
• A list of Day of Mourning events across Ontario
• Towards a more accurate picture of worker disability, disease, and death
• Archival Day of Mourning video.

WHSC training can help!
To support Mental Health Awareness month and help workplaces create healthier, safer work, WHSC is offering a full schedule of instructor-led, in-person and virtual classroom workplace mental health training courses in English and French at a discounted rate of $40 per course (regularly $75) for courses booked by May 31, including future training throughout the summer.
 
WHSC offers other essential and legally mandated training such as joint health & safety committee certification, GHS-WHMIS, workplace violence and harassment, supervisor awareness and competency, and worker health and safety awareness.
Check out WHSC training options by region.
 
Need training in French? Check out our extensive French catalogue or contact WHSC Training Services Representative, Christopher Gervais at cgervais@whsc.on.ca or 613-407-2187.

Need more information?
Contact a WHSC training services representative in your area.
Email: contactus@whsc.on.ca
Visit: whsc.on.ca
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