It was an opportunity to remember and honour those killed or injured while on the job, and reflect on commitments to improving health and safety in the workplace.
Local government employees, first responders and others gathered at Salmon Arm鈥檚 Marine Peace Park gazebo for a ceremony marking the National Day of Mourning on Monday morning, April 28.
Before welcoming guest speakers to the podium, city safety co-ordinator Trevor Cunningham explained the Day of Mourning is a time to honour and remember workers who lost their lives, who were injured or fell ill due to work, and 鈥渞ecognize and deeply appreciate the sacrifices they have made for us,鈥� while reaffirming a commitment to 鈥渇ostering a safe workplace, preventing incidents and prioritizing the protection and well-being of our workers.鈥�
First speaker was Salmon Arm Mayor Alan Harrison, who began by offering condolences to the Filipino community and everyone affected after 11 people were killed during a Lapu Lapu Street Festival in Vancouver on Saturday, April 26.
鈥淥ur thoughts and prayers onto the Filipino community,鈥� said Harrison. 鈥淭he tragic event yesterday was unfathomable.鈥�
Regarding the workplace, Harrison said it was a time to remember those who were lost, and to pledge to work together, employees and employers, to make our workplaces safer.
"As an employer, the City of Salmon Arm pledges to continue to work with our CUPE Local 1908 and with WorkSafeBC to help keep our employees safe," said Harrison.
Columbia Shuswap Regional District protective service manager and Regional Fire Chief Sean Coubrough reminded those gathered a commitment to health and safety extends to mental health and support.
"For emergency responders, as with many professions represented here today, mental resilience as just as vital as physical," said Coubrough. "We train to do our jobs effectively and safely, but we must also equip ourselves to combat the unseen struggles within. This means prioritizing mental health resources, encouraging open communication and ensuring that no worker ever feels alone in their pain.
"As we remember those we鈥檝e lost, let us commit as employers, as co-workers and as community members, to building workplaces that safeguard both body and mind. Let us advocate for stronger mental health support, for policies that protect workers beyond visible injuries and for a future where no one is left behind in their struggle."
Reflecting on colleagues lost over the past year from within the RCMP, and from the larger policing community, Salmon Arm RCMP Staff Sgt. Simon Scott said "we have a commitment to the continuous improvement of training, equipment and practices that keep our workplace safe and healthy and free of harassment and violence for all."
The morning's final speaker, WorkSafeBC's Clay Fredin shared statistics from 2024, noting workplace injuries and illness that year in B.C. claimed the lives of 146 workers 鈥� more than half of which were the result of occupational disease. Thirty-seven of those were due to asbestos exposure, while 38 of the deaths were the result of traumatic injury at the worksite.
"In organizations with a positive health and safety culture, employers, managers supervisors and workers share common values that make worker health and safety a priority," said Fredin. "This means a work place where employers embrace their responsibilities which include providing workers with proper orientation, training, supervision and investigating safety concerns and taking immediate, action and ensuring workers understand how to report workplace injuries and illnesses."
For more information on the Day of Mourning, visit dayofmourning.bc.ca.
