Every April 28th, in Canada, we observe a National Day of Mourning. It’s a day dedicated to workers who have died, were injured, or became ill from their job.
To us, trade unionists, it’s a particularly significant day. We dedicate our lives to improving working conditions, protecting workers’ rights, and fighting for a better, fairer society. Our work is essential to society, and it should outrage everyone that on the average, close to 1000 workers per year*, die because of their jobs.
For a long time, we have campaigned, and continue to campaign, for stronger laws that protect workers in every industry from negligence and malpractice. Even though we may never completely prevent every accident, history has shown we can significantly reduce their occurrence.
However, this year, there is a notable coincidence I’d like to highlight: the 2025 National Day of Mourning coincides with Election Day.
A Vote Against Corporate Greed
As I’ve said previously, I won’t tell our members how to vote. But today on the National Day of Mourning, and every day, I will say that we need to stand against corporate greed.
The corporate elite is organized into powerful lobbies, composed of industry CEOs and other powerful interest groups. Worldwide, they advocate for deregulation and other measures designed to maximize profit. Too often, these measures lead to more dangerous workplaces.
Cutting costs while pushing workers to work faster and harder inevitably leads to more accidents. Everybody wants to work for a well-run company, but forcing workers to take unnecessary risks is the opposite of efficiency.
As we get ready to go vote, I urge you once again to carefully consider what’s at stake and what each party is proposing. Vote for your interests. Vote for policies that benefit workers. Because this country was built by workers and helping workers benefits everyone.
*Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada
François Laporte
President of Teamsters Canada
Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
