Town Officials pose for the camera before proclaiming the National Day of Mourning in Peace River. Seated: Councillor Orren Ford. Standing L to R: Firefighters Tim Burger and Dylan Jackson, Fire Chief Tim Harris, Peace River Regional Airport Manager William Stewart, Bylaw Enforcement Officer Graham Smyth, and PRFD Captain Mike Frayne. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)
A National Day of Mourning is taking place today.
It was first established by the Canadian Labour Congress back in 1984, to remember all of those who have died or were injured in work-related accidents.
Also known as Worker’s Memorial Day, the Day of Mourning is officially recognized in about 100 countries right across the globe.
In a statement, Alberta Labour Minister Christina Gray says that every worker has the right to come home safely at the end of the day.
“That goes from the very first shift right through to retirement,” said Gray. “It’s my hope that today motivates employers, workers and government to continue working together to improve occupational health and safety in all industries across (Alberta).”
Province-wide statistics show that 144 Albertans perished in 2016 due to workplace illnesses and injuries.
In the Town of Peace River, Councillor Orren Ford signed the official proclamation at the town’s Fire Hall at 8:30 AM this morning.
Peace River Town Councillor Orren Ford signs the proclamation declaring the National Day of Mourning within the town. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)
“The Town of Peace River joins the rest of the province in remembering those workers who lost their lives due to work-related injuries last year,” Ford told the AM 610 Newsroom. “Here (in town), we have a health and safety program where what we strive to do, is to have each and every one of our employees return home to their families every day. And that’s the most important key goal within our organization.”
As well, not all the workers who risk their lives on a daily basis get paid for their work, but they also volunteer for dangerous jobs.
The flag was lowered to half-mast today at the Peace River Fire Hall. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)
“We only have three full-time firefighters working here,” said Peace River Fire Chief Tim Harris. “The other 30 are volunteer firefighters who have other regular jobs who give up their own time to work at the fire department and help out the town.
“Firefighting is an inherently dangerous occupation,” Harris continued. “They do put their lives at risk every time they respond. We do lots of training, and we have lots of safety procedures in place so the job is done as safely as possible.”
Ford, who is himself a volunteer firefighter, says it’s the workers who keep things going while on the job.
“In any organization, it’s the employees and the staff that make the organization operate,” said Ford. “They’re the key people. And by following those health procedures, we hope to ensure our workers get home safely every day.”
After signing the proclamation, the flag at the fire hall was lowered to half-mast in order to remember the victims of workplace accidents or illness.
Elsewhere in the Peace Country, the city of Grande Prairie is holding its own proclamation ceremony at 10:45 AM at the area’s Safety City, with a moment of silence to follow 15 minutes later. This service is being hosted by the Alberta Construction Safety Association’s Grande Prairie Regional Safety Committee, in partnership with the Grande Prairie & Area Safe Communities, as well as Safety City.
– Posted by BET
