Brad Vonkeman (L), Chair, Parkland Regional Safety Committee, with Mayor Tara Veer (R) to recognize the National Day of Mourning on April 28. The small private ceremony was held at the Bower Ponds Fallen Worker Tribute. (Supplied)

By Sheldon Spackman

A Time To Remember

Ceremony at Bower Ponds commemorates National Day of Mourning

Apr 28, 2021 | 8:59 PM

A small, private ceremony was held at Bower Ponds Wednesday to remember Alberta workers injured or killed on the job.

The ceremony took place at the Fallen Worker Tribute in recognition of the National Day of Mourning on April 28.

“The national day of mourning is something that we try and use to renew our commitment to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of all workers and remembering those who have been injured or the families that have been impacted by workplace tragedies,” says Brad Vonkeman, Chair of the Parkland Regional Safety Committee.

There were 925 workplace fatalities recorded in Canada in 2020, including 29 young workers between the ages of 15-24.

In Alberta, there were 150 fatalities due to workplace injury or illness.

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“Although this number is the lowest we have seen since 2016, it is not a reason to celebrate, but rather a reminder to continue to work hard at moving this number down to zero,” said Vonkeman. “We want people to be able to go home to their families and loved ones at the end of every working day and to be able to enjoy and live life to the fullest.”

Mayor Tara Veer read a proclamation at Wednesday’s ceremony recognizing the Day of Mourning in Red Deer. Several wreaths were also laid.

“With all that is going on and the abnormalities brought on by COVID, it is important that we still remember those whose lives have been altered in ways that should not have happened, but unfortunately did, and so we owe it to them to remember,” Vonkeman explained.

According to the Workers Compensation Board (WCB), 8,891 Albertans made COVID claims with the board between Jan. 2020 and Mar. 31, 2021.

“Today, my thoughts are with these workers, their families, friends and colleagues and I encourage all Albertans to take a moment to remember our fallen workers,” Jason Copping, Alberta’s Minister of Labour and Immigration said in a statement.

“The National Day of Mourning reminds us that everyone, employers, workers and governments, all have the responsibility to create healthy and safe workplaces. Together, we need to take actions to ensure everyone can work safely and make it home at the end of the day.

“Let us take a moment today to honour and remember our fallen workers. Let’s also take a moment to consider how we can do better and reduce the number of deaths, injuries and illnesses in our workplaces.”