A minute of silence kicked off the National Day of Mourning in Thunder Bay.
The annual tradition put on by a number of local labour groups was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group paid tribute to the Lac Des Iles mine employee who passed away last week from complications of the disease.
Injured worker advocate, Steve Mantis used the opportunity to say we need more capacity in the public health care system so workers can safely do their jobs at the hospital and in long term care.
Officials discussed how industries in the northwest can be proactive on the job like staggering lunch breaks so many people aren’t gathering in communal spaces, wearing proper protective equipment and ensuring the morning and night shifts don’t overlap.
Corrections officer Shawn Bradshaw spoke on behalf of the Ontario Public Sectores Employees Union and said it took them weeks to get action on some of their health and safety concerns.
“We used expired masks, the amount of PPE for jails in the province is quite low and frankly embarrassing,” Bradshaw said.
The National Day of Mourning remembers workers who have died, became ill or were injured while doing their job.
Yesterday, the City of Thunder Bay unveiled a new plaque to mark the day of mourning. You can read about that HERE.
