Just a day after Canadians observed the National Day of Mourning for workers killed, injured, or made ill on the job, a workplace injury in Mildmay has reinforced the ongoing dangers faced by employees across the region.
The Grey Bruce Labour Council expressed deep concern over the incident, reminding the community that workplace tragedies persist far beyond annual memorials.
“Death, injury, and illness to workers seldom has a day off,” said Chris Stephen, Labour Council Vice President for Grey County. "As visible as this is due to its proximity, it is hardly the exception. In the days leading up to April 28, three workplace fatalities were recorded. Two CUPE members in Ontario lost their lives. Such carnage must stop”.
Labour Council President Kevin Smith emphasized that while many employers commit to safer workplaces, these promises often fall short.
"Undertaken with enthusiasm, this commitment does not seem enough," said Smith. "Make no mistake, committing to safer and healthier workplaces is done with the utmost of good faith yet death, illness, and injury seem to go on unabated."
The Council is urging workers to be fully aware of their legal rights under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act — including the right to refuse unsafe work, the right to be informed about workplace hazards, and the right to participate in solutions to safety concerns.
"The most successful outcomes occur when workers are educated about their fundamental rights under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and when they to use them to protect themselves and their co-workers," noted Labour Council VP for Bruce County, Dave Trumble.
"No value is more important than health and safety, and the outcomes are easy to calculate," concluded Smith. "Let no worker ever be sacrificed for profit or production."
The Grey Bruce Labour Council, which has represented workers in the region since 1956, is calling on employers to prioritize safety and invest in practices that protect both employees and the broader community.