National Day of Mourning

Notes for an address for
the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour

April 28 ^th, National Day of Mourning
Vincent Massey Park, Ottawa, Ontario

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Ladies and gentlemen, I am deeply touched to be with you today in remembrance of workers who have been injured, killed or suffer illness as a result of their duties at work.

I believe that remembrance is important. It allows us to express sorrow for the grief and suffering experienced by the victims, and their family, friends and colleagues – and it serves as a reminder that the work to be done in the area of occupational health and safety is far from over.

And while this is a day to remember, it is also a day like any other – a day when Canadians head off to work – and a day when nearly another 1000 workers will experience an accident and illness.

But today we also stand together and pledge to learn from these tragedies and work harder to reduce them.

I believe that the best way to pay tribute to those we honour today is to put forth our best efforts in working towards safer and healthier workplaces. We can honour them by committing to do more to promote occupational safety and health practices.

Governments, employers, employees and labour groups all have a role to play in achieving safer workplaces. And it is a daily responsibility. Enforcing legislation, imparting safety information, sharing best practices, will do so much to help us accomplish our goals.

As the federal Minister responsible for Labour, I have the responsibility of enforcing legislation under federal jurisdiction, most notably the Canada Labour Code.

I would like to share with you some recent measures the federal Labour Program has instituted in the area of occupational health and safety.

At the recent Federal-Provincial-Territorial meeting of Ministers of Labour held in March 2006 in Whistler, we ministers pledged to work in closer collaboration and consultation among jurisdictions to promote safe and healthy workplaces.

It is hoped that this closer collaboration will foster improved research, education and dialogue that will encourage a change in workplace culture, and help influence employers, workers and unions to identify new healthy workplace practices.

In addition, new regulations on the Part II of the Canada Labour Code came into force in December 2005. These new Hazard Prevention Program Regulations include requirements specific to hazard identification, assessment, and education of employees.

Simply put, these regulations require employers under federal jurisdiction to take measures to prevent accidents, injury and illness, rather than responding to them after the fact. I hope these regulations will become a model for other jurisdictions as well.

I strongly believe that a safe and healthy workplace is a basic right of Canadians. I intend to make health at work one of the most important themes during my tenure as Minister of Labour and will be looking for opportunities to follow through on this challenge.

I would also like to take a moment to mention that next week marks the tenth year that Canada will observe North American Occupational Safety and Health week.

Events are being held across Canada under the theme “Review. Revitalize. Refresh.” Let this be a week for us all to review our commitment to occupational safety and health, refresh our memory on safety procedures, and revitalize our efforts by putting safety first in both the workplace and in our homes.

Looking to the future, I am hopeful that on this day we will be gathering to remember far fewer than the number we do today. That one day we will succeed in achieving a workplace where preventable accidents and illness no longer exist.

As we lay our wreaths and flowers in commemoration, we will not forget those who have suffered. Every single fatality and injury is unacceptable.

I would like to commend the Canadian Labour Congress for organizing today’s ceremony and for their continued dedication to observing the Day of Mourning. It is through their determination that we become unified in the fight for better workplaces.

Thank you.

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National Day of Mourning in Vincent Massey Park, Ottawa

OTTAWA

The Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, speaks at the National Day of Mourning Ceremony in Vincent Massey Park, in Ottawa.

For more information, please contact:
Roxane Marchand
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Blackburn
(819) 953-5646

Media Relations
Human Resources and
Social Development Canada
(819) 994-5559