VICTORIA, B.C.: Kiel Giddens, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie and Critic for Labour, issued the following statement in recognition of the National Day of Mourning:

“Today, we join the many communities and families across British Columbia to mark the National Day of Mourning—a day to remember workers who have lost their lives, been injured, or made ill while on the job.

“Last year alone, 138 workers in our province lost their lives due to workplace injury and illness. 79 of those deaths were caused by occupational disease—many from exposures that happened decades before. 41 workers died from traumatic incidents on the job. 18 were killed in work-related motor vehicle incidents.

“Behind every one of these numbers is a person. A family. A future that was taken too soon.

“I know that many British Columbians are deeply mourning the loss of community members, colleagues, or loved ones.

“My own community has experienced that grief as well. Last week marked 14 years since the Lakeland Mills tragedy in Prince George. Twenty-two workers were injured. Two workers—Alan Little and Glen Roche—never made it home. They deserved to return to their families on April 23rd, 2012.

“That truth must continue to guide us. The Day of Mourning calls on all of us—especially those of us in this House—to ensure that workplaces are not only productive, but safe. That workers are properly trained, protected, and empowered. And that safety is treated as fundamental, not optional.

“Safety is a shared responsibility—but leadership matters.

“I want to thank the workers who stand up for their own safety and the safety of the colleague next to them. I want to thank the labour leaders for their important voice on safety. I want to thank the employers who care for the well-being of their employees. And I want to thank all of those individuals that share a commitment to workplace safety.

“So today, we remember those we have lost and renew our own commitments to workers. Because every worker in British Columbia deserves to return home safely at the end of the day.”

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Media Contact:
Francesca Guetchev, Press Secretary
Francesca.Guetchev@leg.bc.ca
+1 (672) 922-0948