City of Fort St. John marks Day of Mourning for B.C. workers

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John community joined together to observe the National Day of Mourning, remembering and honouring fallen B.C. workers. 

The British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) Area 10 Cross Component Committee, working together with the City of Fort St. John, organized the Day of Mourning on April 28th at 11.45 a.m. at the Festival Plaza located at 100th Street. 

This event was organized to honour B.C. workers who have died from workplace injury or disease.    

The day started with a group walk, followed by speeches and a wreath-laying ceremony, and ended with lunch. 

Naomi Gallant, BCGEU member and the chair of the Cross Component Committee, believes the Day of Mourning is important to reflect and remember B.C. workers. 

“A lot of people are personally affected or know someone from a farther reach, and it’s a chance to get together and reflect and work [safely],” she added. 

The mayor of Fort St. John, Lilia Hansen, said that she is proud the council has been participating each year. 

“Taking time out of everyone’s busy day to give a moment to reflect on the lives that have been lost as they’re working to provide for their families and their friends, it’s a small token to give that support to families that have lost a loved one.” 

Hansen, who has been attending the event for the past nine years, said: “We want to be here to show our support to the families.” 

“I think it’s important that regardless of the numbers that come, we continue with that messaging.” 

Andrea Milne has been attending this event to pay tribute to her son,Tyrell Stark, who was killed at work in 2014.

Milne believes it is important for the community to recognize B.C. workers because it struck home for her.  

“If nobody knows what it feels like, then they don’t. It’s not important to them until it happens to them,” she added. 

When asked what her expectations are from the event, she said: “Just the recognition of everybody that was hurt at work so that you can avoid anybody else getting hurt at work.”