April 28, 2025 (Winnipeg) – Manitoba designates April 28 of each year as the Day of Mourning to remember and honour the workers who lost their lives to work related injuries and illnesses. It also highlights the importance of workplace safety and the ongoing efforts needed to prevent such tragedies.
“Even one fatality in the workplace is too many,” said Malaya Marcelino, Manitoba’s Minister of Labour and Immigration. “We must maintain the highest level of occupational health and safety in every workplace. This is a responsibility for all of us – government, employers, workers and the broader community.”
“The first step in preventing workplace injuries and illnesses is educating Manitobans,” adds Catherine Skinner, President and CEO of the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba. “Workplace safety is a priority for the WCB to help Manitobans get home safely each day.”
Safe Workers of Tomorrow (SWOT), a not-for-profit organization that educates high school students about workplace safety, will hold their annual Leaders’ Walk on April 28 to honour those who have died from workplace injuries or illnesses. SWOT has held the walk for more than 25 years, during which time hundreds of students have walked to honour Manitobans and commit to safe work practices. The walk will start at Union Centre on Broadway and Smith Street at 11:30 a.m. and proceed down Broadway to Memorial Park. At noon, a ceremony will be held at the Manitoba Workers Memorial located at the park.
“No one should ever feel the devastation of losing a loved one to a workplace injury or illness,” said Peter Reimer, Executive Director of Safe Workers of Tomorrow. “The walk is one way we honour those lives and aim to make a difference in our community.”
The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba serves workers and employers through a no-fault insurance system integral to the Manitoba economy. Funded collectively by employers, the WCB promotes safe and healthy workplaces, facilitates recovery and return to work, delivers compassionate and supportive compensation services to workers and employers, and ensures responsible stewardship of Manitoba’s workers’ compensation system. For more information, visit wcb.mb.ca.
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The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba serves workers and employers through a no-fault insurance system integral to the Manitoba economy. Funded collectively by employers, the WCB promotes safe and healthy workplaces, facilitates recovery and return to work, delivers compassionate and supportive compensation services to workers and employers, and ensures responsible stewardship of Manitoba's workers' compensation system.
