NDP statement on the National Day of Mourning 2024

Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh made the following statement:

“New Democrats stand in solidarity with workers across Canada on this National Day of Mourning. We commemorate workers who have died or been injured as a result of their job.

This year’s theme “Safe work now!” is a call to action for workers, all levels of government, and employers to take immediate and concrete steps to keep people safe at work.

In Canada, workplace fatalities and injuries increased in the last year. It is a sad reminder that more needs to be done to prevent accidents, illnesses, injuries, and death while on the job. While both Liberals and Conservatives have allowed corporations to cut corners on health and safety to maximize corporate profits, New Democrats are fighting side by side with workers for better and safer workplaces in Canada.

New Democrats have forced the Liberal government to bring forward measures to protect working Canadians, including anti-scab legislation, a mandatory minimum of ten paid sick days and stronger protections for new parents who have lost their jobs when on maternity leave.

We are calling on the federal government to properly enforce the Westray Law and hold negligent employers accountable. Canadian workers deserve to work in safe environments. It is wrong to allow employers’ bottom lines to dictate Canada’s health and safety agenda.

On this day, New Democrats renew their commitment to fight for the safety and well-being of working Canadians and we will continue to make this government work for them.”