By Aaron Haugen (@ahaugie on Twitter)

National Day of Mourning Remembers Those Lost on the Job Site

Apr 28, 2016 | 4:10 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Lethbridge residents took time to remember the lives of workers killed on the job over the years.

The National Day of Mourning brought local dignitaries and workers together at Mountain View Cemetary on Thursday to mourn those that have died in workplace accidents.

The ceremony was hosted by the City of Lethbridge, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 70 and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering at the CUPE 70 Workers Memorial.

Burt Green, a retired worker for the City of Lethbridge, gave an emotional speech about the need for workers to know about their rights.

“I worry about the kids that are working for the summer that don`t know how to say no,” he said. “They`ve got a right to know if there`s any risk involved, they`ve got a right to refuse if they feel a risk and they`ve got a right to participate in a health and safety program at work.  And that`s what I`m after:  Letting them know they have rights to say no.”

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Maria Fitzpatrick, Lethbridge East MLA, spoke about her experience of being provided no training as a rookie parole officer with the Federal Government.

“Now, no parole officer would go into a jail without basic training,” Fitzpatrick said. “Teaching you how to make sure all your senses are working because you`re in an environment that could become volatile at any moment.”

Also speaking was Shannon Phillips, MLA for Lethbridge West and Minister for Parks and the Environment.

She pointed out that 2014 was the deadliest year for Alberta workers since 1914 – the year of the Hillcrest Mine Disaster.

The National Day of Mourning was started by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1983 and was officially recognized by the Canadian Government in 1991.