Sudbury renews commitment to workplace health and safety on 40th anniversary of National Day of Mourning

Celine Quenneville and her daughter Carie were guest speakers at the Day of Mourning ceremonies in Greater Sudbury on Sunday.

Celine Quenneville and her daughter Carie were guest speakers at the Day of Mourning ceremonies in Greater Sudbury on April 28, 2024. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Celine’s husband Mike died of cancer last year at the age of 58. The family said they believe he developed Stage 4 Lung cancer which metastasized to his brain following exposure to diesel exhaust during his career as a production miner.

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“One of the last things my husband said to me was continue his fight with WSIB and not let them win,” Celine told the crowd at the Fraser Auditorium at Laurentian University.

Workers, unions and employers all across the country marked the National Day of Mourning on Sunday. It is meant to remember lives lost in workplace accidents, as well as those who have suffered occupational injuries or illnesses.

There is also a renewed commitment to workplace health and safety.

“Workers go to work to earn a living and put food on the table for their family,” said Jessica Montgomery, the president of the Sudbury & District Labour Council.

“They don’t go to work to be exposed to high levels of diesel exhaust and various other mining exposures. We all just go to work to provide for our families. Nobody expects to get sick.”

Celine told the crowd that it was bittersweet that after decades of battling the Workers’ Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), her husband’s case was finally won, just a few months after he had passed away.

This is the 40th anniversary of the ‘Day of Mourning’ – which actually started in Sudbury a couple of years before that.

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Sudbury MPP and NDP Labour Critic Jamie West took the opportunity to recognize retired Steelworker Leo Gerard, who’s been a long-time advocate for health and safety in the workplace, particularly for miners.

A photo of USW International President Emeritus Leo W. Gerard speaking to union members on March 1, 2010. (Supplied/United Steelworkers International)

West said Gerard had to miss last year’s ceremony due to health reasons, but during the indoor portion of the ceremonies, Gerard was given a standing ovation from the crowd.

“Leo often says ‘you’ll never know the people’s lives that you saved’ – and you just don’t,” West said.

“But I know that we make a difference because of people like Leo Gerard.”

The Day of Mourning ceremony also included the lowering of flags to half mast and a moment of silence for those who’ve died in workplace fatalities.

As part of the Day of Mourning ceremony in Greater Sudbury on April 28, 2024 the flags at Laurentian University were lowered to half mast. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News Northern Ontario)

“We default to mourning and caring about people, but how do we care about people who are alive and assure they don’t get hurt and there’s no more future deaths,” West said.

A challenge went out to the crowd to share its knowledge with younger or less experienced co-workers.

“They don’t know yet what the experienced workers know, and if you tell it in a story that they can imagine themselves in their shoes it may make the difference, and it may save their lives,” said Sandra Dorman, director of the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health.

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The Day of Mourning is recognized by 100 countries worldwide, but health and safety advocates said the day is not only about grieving but also about renewing commitments to workplace health and safety.