FEDERAL NDP CANDIDATE COMMEMORATES DAY OF MOURNING
Calls on government to strengthen workplace safety laws
Vancouver, B.C. - Don Davies, federal NDP candidate for Vancouver Kingsway,
joined local workers at Bear Creek Park to honour those who have lost their lives or been injured on the job.
"The National Day of Mourning is a day to remember those who have lost their lives,
but it's also a day to protect the living by strengthening our commitment to improving workplace safety
everywhere," said Davies.
Deaths in Canada from workplace injury average nearly 1,100 every year.
There are 1 million serious workplace injuries a year in Canada - that's one injury every 7 seconds each working day.
"I've worked for a trade union for 15 years, and I've seen the risks workers face firsthand.
I know workers who have been crushed by equipment, gassed by fumes and hurt by all kinds of poor safety standards.
"Nationally, every day three working Canadians lose their lives on the job. Hard-working Canadians
should not have to put their lives at risk trying to make ends meet for their families, "said Davies.
The numbers for young people are even more staggering - one in seven young workers is injured on the job.
"We need to do better to make workplaces safer for all workers, but especially for youth.
We must insist that governments improve and enforce workplace safety laws, and make sure all workers know
their rights," said Davies.
Corporate responsibility is key to improving safety for working Canadians.
Governments also have a role to play in forcing employers to follow safe work practices by legislating and
enforcing strict rules for workplace safety.
"Too many families have lost husbands, fathers, brothers, mothers, wives and sisters because
workplace safety is sacrificed in the interest of the bottom line.
We see it every time a worker is killed because an employer cuts corners and puts pressure on workers
to take risks," said Davies.
"Unions are the main enforcers of workplace safety in this country.
That is why the NDP continues to oppose back to work legislation, laws allowing replacement workers,
and any legislation that undermines union bargaining rights to protect the health and safety of
Canadian workers," Davies concluded.
- 30 -
For more information:
Don Davies - 604-874-9906
dondavies@ndp.ca
