FREDERICTON (GNB) – The following message was issued today by Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Jody Carr in recognition of the National Day of Mourning, Monday, April 28:

Canada joins more than 100 countries in recognizing April 28 as the National Day of Mourning. Throughout the nation events will be held in workplaces and communities to honour those lives lost and to raise awareness of the importance of health and safety in the workplace.

As minister responsible for WorkSafeNB, I am proud of our province's record in protecting our workers. New Brunswick has one of the lowest injury rates in Canada and what's more, we have maintained this record for many years.

Notwithstanding the efforts made to provide safe work environments, every year almost 10,000 workers are injured, and this year, seven people lost their lives as a result of tragic accidents.

Today we take a moment to reflect and remember those lost or injured. Their loss serves as a reminder that we must continue collective efforts to reduce the number of accidents on the job each year.

We must also work together to raise awareness that workplace accidents are preventable and that health and safety on the job continues to be a top priority for employers and employees.

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of introducing changes to the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission Act that will establish maximum wait periods, convert the existing compensation appeals tribunal to an independent body and create an internal fair dispute resolution process within WorksafeNB.

I want to express my sympathy to the families, co-workers, businesses, and individuals who have been affected by workplace accidents and I encourage all individuals to strive to improve workplace safety in our province.


25-04-14