PG recognizes Day of Mourning at the Workers Memorial Statue

Dozens were gathered for the Day of Mourning at the Workers Memorial Statue at the intersection of Patricia Boulevard and Queensway this morning (Tuesday).

North Central Labour Council, WorkSafeBC, local delegates and other representatives attended and spoke at the event pushing for a call to action to reduce workplace deaths and injuries.

Occupational Safety Officer with WorkSafeBC Mike Tasker said they’ve been seeing employers wanting to do the right thing.

“Sometimes they’re held back by lack of knowledge, or lack of creativity in finding solutions to problems in their workplace.”

“Rarely do I find employers that are negligent. That’s just not something that happens very often.”

Tasker added that in 2025, Prince George saw seven workplace deaths, with two of them between the age of 15 and 24.

Province-wide, 138 workers died that same year.

During the event, one of the driving points was for more effort to be taken when it comes to mental health in the workplace.

North Central Labour Council President Matt Baker said that issue has started to be on the forefront of workplace injuries.

“It’s the saying ‘go home to work being whole’. Are you whole if you’re being bullied at work, being pressured by your employers, and is that keeping your mind on the job?”

“The mental health side of it is something that’s starting to be discussed, and it’s something important that should be discussed.”

Baker noted that days like today are important to remember the people we’ve lost, and to protect the people we still have.

Meanwhile, Kiel Giddens, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie and Critic for Labour, issued the following statement in recognition of the National Day of Mourning:

“Today, we join the many communities and families across British Columbia to mark the National Day of Mourning—a day to remember workers who have lost their lives, been injured, or made ill while on the job.

“Last year alone, 138 workers in our province lost their lives due to workplace injury and illness. 79 of those deaths were caused by occupational disease—many from exposures that happened decades before. 41 workers died from traumatic incidents on the job. 18 were killed in work-related motor vehicle incidents.

“Behind every one of these numbers is a person. A family. A future that was taken too soon.

“I know that many British Columbians are deeply mourning the loss of community members, colleagues, or loved ones.

“My own community has experienced that grief as well. Last week marked 14 years since the Lakeland Mills tragedy in Prince George. Twenty-two workers were injured. Two workers—Alan Little and Glen Roche—never made it home. They deserved to return to their families on April 23rd, 2012.

“That truth must continue to guide us. The Day of Mourning calls on all of us—especially those of us in this House—to ensure that workplaces are not only productive, but safe. That workers are properly trained, protected, and empowered. And that safety is treated as fundamental, not optional.”