Canada continues to have one of the highest workplace fatality rates
Ottawa (25 April 2008) - On Monday, April 28, Canadians in all walks of life will pause to mark the 24th anniversary of the National Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job.
Unfortunately, workplace fatalities continue to grow in Canada. In fact, Canada has one of the highest workplace fatality rates of any Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) country. The numbers are staggering and the situation is clearly unacceptable.
In 2006, the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) reported 976 workplace fatalities in Canada compared to 805 in 1996, an 18% increase in a ten-year period. In addition, nearly one million Canadians are injured or become sick every year from hazardous products and substances in the workplace.
In spite of hard won amendments to the Criminal Code in 2004, the death count of workers continues to rise. Sadly, there has been just one conviction in the courts since the new amendments became law.
Canada needs even stronger legislation. Workplace deaths and injuries are preventable. Workers also need better enforcement of existing legislation. Literally thousands of the lives lost to workplace accidents in the last 10 years could have been prevented.
Download - Day of Mourning Poster - English - Français
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) wishes to remind all Canadians that the National Day of Mourning is a day for everyone to remember those killed or injured at work. It is also an opportunity to recommit to the challenge of preventing, reducing and eliminating workplace deaths and injuries. NUPGE
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