This day is also intended to show Canadians' concern for occupational safety and health. The day chosen for this observance is April 28. Since then, the National Day of Mourning has been marked by various events across the country to remember workers killed or injured on the job or who suffer from work-related illnesses. Every year, more than 750 Canadians die as a result of work-related accidents or illnesses and approximately 800,000 are injured. This means, on average, three workers are killed every working day.
Young people are the most likely to be killed or injured on the job.
The rate of accidents with loss of time from work is highest for young people. Between 1993 and 1997 one third of all accident victims compensated for time lost were young Canadians aged 15 to 29. Work-related accidents are very expensive. These figures do not take into account the pain and suffering of the victims and their families, which are incalculable. Thirty years ago, the federal government adopted comprehensive occupational safety and health legislation.