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
BREAKING Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Video appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs beating singer Cassie in hotel hallway in 2016
Security video aired by CNN appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs physically assaulting singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016.
Scottie Scheffler isn't the first pro golfer to be arrested during a tournament
Scottie Scheffler's arrest hours before his second-round tee time at the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, will go down as one of the most shocking in professional golf history. It certainly wasn't the first, though.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta border: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Anglers reel in 3.5-metre-long tiger shark off coast of Florida: 'She found my bait'
A group of fishers said it took roughly 20 minutes to reel in this 3.5-metre-long tiger shark off the coast of Florida.
Canadian convicted of attacking Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer sentenced to 30 years
The man convicted of attempting to kidnap then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband with a hammer was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison.
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.