Fort Erie honours workers lost to workplace tragedies

Brent Jones
April 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM

About two dozen people gathered outside Fort Erie town hall Monday morning to mark the National Day of Mourning, paying tribute to workers who have been killed, injured or made ill on the job.

The ceremony began shortly before noon at a monument located at 1 Municipal Centre Dr.

Participants linked arms near the memorial, which reads, “This memorial was dedicated April 28, 1998, in recognition of Canadian workers killed or disabled by injury or disease in the workplace.”

About two dozen people, including the mayor and town staff, gathered outside town hall on Monday for the National Day of Mourning. Credit: Town of Fort Erie | Facebook

The Day of Mourning, observed annually on April 28, was established in 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress to commemorate workers lost to workplace hazards. It was later enshrined in federal legislation in 1991 and is now recognized in about 100 countries worldwide.

Across Canada, flags on Parliament Hill and at Queen’s Park were lowered to half-mast.

Many communities, including Fort Erie, held ceremonies, observed moments of silence, and shared stories reflecting on the impact of workplace tragedies.

The event served as both a tribute to those who have lost their lives and a reminder of the ongoing need to advocate for safer and healthier workplaces.