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.
“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.
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.
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.