On Saturday, April 28, Government recognized National Day of Mourning by laying wreathes at a ceremony held here at Confederation Building.

National Day of Mourning is recognized across Canada as a day of remembrance for workers who have been killed or injured on the job. In 1984, the Canadian Labour Congress initiated Day of Mourning. In 1991, it was declared a National Day of Mourning at the federal level.

In 1992, Mr. Jack Harris, the former leader of the New Democratic Party and member for the District of Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi, provided the leadership in this house to ensure that National Day of Mourning was formally recognized and observed in this province. Since its early beginnings in Canada, it is now observed in about 100 countries around the world.

Saturday was a solemn occasion when our thoughts turn to be with the families of those workers who have been killed on the job. In 2006, there were 18 fatalities reported in Newfoundland and Labrador in which eight were due to incidents in the workplace and 10 as a result of industrial disease.

While progress is being made to improve conditions in the workplace and prevent further tragedy, we still need to recognize that this task is not yet complete and that more has to be done.

We must be vigilant and make certain that the health and safety of people in the workplace is not compromised or undermined. Safety on the job must be the number one priority.

Employers and workers along with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission and the Occupational Health and Safety Division of Government Services must continue to work together to ensure our workplaces are safe, maintain a strong focus on prevention and reduce the number of work-related fatalities.

I ask all members of this Honourable House to observe a moment of silence and remember those who are no longer with us as a result of a workplace incident and reflect on the importance to continue to work for a day when every workplace is safe.