Service NL
April 28, 2016

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL:

Minister Recognizes National Day of Mourning

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize that today is National Day of Mourning.

On this occasion we take a moment to remember those who have been lost or injured due to a workplace accident. This is also a day to renew our commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace and to focus on efforts to prevent incidents.

I was honoured to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony today at Confederation Building with the Premier, as we joined more than 100 people who laid a wreath in memory of a loved one or coworker. I want to thank the St. John's and District Labour Council for organizing this event.

I am pleased to note that WorkplaceNL has new information that shows the incidence of workplace injury and illness in Newfoundland and Labrador dropped to an all-time low in 2015.

Despite this positive news, there were 24 work-related fatalities in 2015 - a reminder that we need to make safety our focus every day.

Mr. Speaker, promoting safe and sustainable communities is a priority for our government, and we will continue to work with our partners to help ensure workers return home safe and sound at the end of each work day.

Thank you.

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2016 04 28                              2:10 p.m.