April 28 is the National Day of Mourning for workers injured on the job.

The Saskatoon & District Labour Council says 29 workers died in Saskatchewan in 2023 because of their work. As well, the SDLC says in Canada, almost 1,000 workers die each year because of unsafe work.

The Labour Council says 2024 is the 20th anniversary of the Westray Law coming into effect. In the early morning of May 9, 1992, an explosion at Nova Scotia’s Westray Mine caused by a fatal buildup of methane gas and coal dust killed all 26 miners working underground.

Years of lobbying by the United Steelworkers led to changes in the Criminal Code so that employers could be convicted of criminal negligence. Westray Law was enacted in 2004.

A short program and wreath laying ceremony will take place Sunday at 11:00 a.m. at Saskatoon’s Civic Square with representatives of the City of Saskatoon, the United Way, the Amalgamated Transit Union and the Saskatoon and District Labour Council.