New Brunswick to mourn those who never returned from work

Melissa Brown tells the story of a woman who set the breakfast table in anticipation of her husband's return. But it never happened because of a workplace accident.

"She was six months pregnant with her first child and her 27-year-old husband didn't make it home," said Brown, the president of the Moncton & District Labour Council.

Brown said that woman will share her story Sunday afternoon during an event at Moncton's Bore Park to mark a national day of mourning.

Melissa Brown is the president of Moncton & District Labour Council. (Melissa Brown)

April 28 commemorates workers who have lost their lives, faced injuries or suffered illnesses due to their work, according to a Government of Canada news release.

"I can't imagine what these families go through," Brown said.

Daniel Légère, president of New Brunswick Federation of Labour, said these kinds of accidents are preventable if employers provide proper training and make sure that their workplaces and equipment meet safety standards.

He said 14 New Brunswickers didn't come home from their work shifts in 2023.

Légère said many working as fishermen, hydro workers, construction workers, and in several other industries have been victims of workplace accidents.

He said the federation encourages workers to participate in their workplace health and safety committees to ensure that their workplaces have the most up-to-date first-aid kits and trained first-aid providers.

He said he has witnessed cases where employers have walked away with fines and without being criminally charged while a worker has lost their life due to a workplace safety issue.

Bryan Harris, left, vice-president of the Moncton & District Labour Council, Melissa Brown, centre, the president of the Moncton & District Labour Council, and Daniel Légère, president of New Brunswick Federation of Labour, are shown at the national day of mourning ceremony in 2023. (Melissa Brown)

Légère said criminal charges in some cases "would certainly send a message to all employers that health and safety is a priority and every worker that goes to work … should come back home to his family."

Serge Plourde is the president of Bathurst & District Labour Council. (Serge Plourde)

Serge Plourde, president of Bathurst & District Labour council, echoed Légère's words.

Plourde said the companies should be criminally charged if they don't provide their workers with proper supervision and training.

He said he would also like to see more detailed, area-specific reports about how many workers get ill, injured or lose their lives across New Brunswick.

"According to the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), in 2022, there were 993 workplace fatalities recorded in Canada, 33 of which were young workers aged 15-24," according to the Government of Canada release.

Several gatherings to mark the day of mourning will be held across the province on Sunday.