OHCOW representatives distribute resources

Many communities across Ontario marked the National Day of Mourning this month, April 28, with ceremonies and live events. The Sudbury and District Labour Council hosted the annual National Day of Mourning ceremony at Laurentian University's Fraser Auditorium. This solemn event, which began in Sudbury in 1984, commemorates workers who have lost their lives, been injured, or fallen ill due to workplace conditions. ​

The ceremony also included the lowering of flags to half-mast and a moment of silence to honor the lives lost. The event was attended by union members, community leaders, and students, reflecting Sudbury's deep commitment to worker safety and remembrance.​

Also, in attendance was the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW). “The Day of Mourning serves as a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in making our workplaces safer — a responsibility that demands compassion, commitment, and the courage to stand up for what is right” says, Executive Director Brittney Ramakko.

Invisible Injury

As CTV news reported, “This year’s theme provided by the Canadian Labour Congress is invisible injury,” said Jessica Montgomery, president of the Sudbury and District Labour Council. “Injuries like heat stress, chronic mental stress, traumatic mental stress. So we’re paying attention not to just the checklists and workplace exposures and hazards, but also sending workers home the way that they came to (work) … and protecting them against mental health injuries.”

Michael Squarzolo, one of the speakers at the event, has been a firefighter for 25 years. Squarzolo spoke about the invisible injuries in his line of work, from toxic exposures that lead to cancer to the mental stress that leads to PTSD. He also noted the high rate of cancer in families of firefighters, and that the question of reproductive health for firefighters should be studied.

Crisis for Health Care Workers

As reported by Sudbury.com, Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas told the audience another example of extreme workplace stress is the growing number of nurses, and other health care workers, who face anxiety and burnout because there are not enough people to do the job in hospitals and long-term care homes.

She said that is because the ratio of nurses to patients is not high enough to let the people properly care for their patients. Gélinas said it causes significant upset for health-care workers.

Following the presentations in the auditorium the group took part in an outdoor wreathlaying ceremony in the courtyard, where the flags were lowered to half-staff and a moment of silence was held.

Speakers at the event: