Day of Mourning

Calendar
When:
April 28, 2025 all-day
2025-04-28T00:00:00-04:00
2025-04-29T00:00:00-04:00

Marked annually in Canada on April 28, the National Day of Mourning is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives, suffered injury or illness on the job, or experienced a work-related tragedy.

Observance

The National Day of Mourning is a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy. It’s also a day to collectively renew our commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace and to preventing further injuries, illnesses and deaths.

How to support

Traditionally on April 28, the Canadian flag flies at half-mast on Parliament Hill and on all federal government buildings. Employers and workers observe Day of Mourning in a variety of ways. Some light candles, lay wreaths, wear commemorative pins, ribbons or black armbands, and pause for a moment of silence.We encourage organizations, employees, communities, and individuals to hold or support an event, or to simply observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on April 28. Consider sharing or playing our moment of silence video in your workplace to honour those who have died or suffered injury or illness due to a work-related tragedy.

Employers and individuals can also show their support and commitment to a safe workplace by promoting the social media cards and messages provided on this page. By sharing these messages, you remind more people to put health and safety at the forefront of their work and help to prevent further work-related injuries and loss of life.

History

In 1991, eight years after the day of remembrance was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress, the Parliament of Canada passed the Workers Mourning Day Act making April 28 an official Day of Mourning. Today the Day of Mourning has since spread to more than 100 countries around the world and is recognized as Workers’ Memorial Day, and as International Workers’ Memorial Day by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

It is the hope of CCOHS that the annual observance of this day will help strengthen the resolve to establish safe and healthy conditions in the workplace, and prevent further injuries, illnesses, and deaths. As much as this is a day to remember those who have lost their lives, it is also a call to protect the living and make work a place where people are safe and can thrive.

Source: Fatalities, by Age and Jurisdiction 2022, Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC),National Work Injury/Disease Statistics Program (NWISP)

Source: Lost Time Claims, by Age and Jurisdiction, 2022, Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC),National Work Injury/Disease Statistics Program (NWISP)

For further statistical information visit the AWCBC National Work Injuries Statistics Program.

Watch the video

Commemorate Day of Mourning by watching and sharing this video.