On the National Day of Mourning for those lost to workplace injuries, the North Bay and District Labour Council (NBDLC) highlighted the toll the pandemic has taken on workers.
In a virtual ceremony Wednesday morning, Henri Giroux, President of the NBDLC, says the “human cost” of the pandemic can’t be ignored.
“This pandemic has exposed employers who value profits over people. COVID just isn’t in our community, it’s at work,” Giroux stated during the ceremony. “Workers have had to fight for access to effective protective equipment, COVID safe practice at work, paid sick leave and respect for their basic health and safety rights.”
Giroux says the lack of consideration for workers during the pandemic has led to many having to make an “impossible choice.”
“No one should have died to make a living. But governments continue to fail workers by rejecting pandemic measures needed to protect workers. Without access to adequate paid sick days, workers have been forced to choose between going to work or paying their rent,” Giroux said.
Larry Rousseau, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, was also on hand for the virtual ceremony and expressed disappointment in Premier Doug Ford’s handling of the pandemic.
“When it was clear the lack of paid sick days was making the pandemic worse, Doug Ford chose to close playgrounds rather than giving workers the ability to stay home when they’re sick,” Rousseau said.
Giroux and Rousseau both cited statistics from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board which stated there have been 18 COVID-19-related deaths reported by the board in 2021 so far. There was a total of 28 COVID-19-related deaths in the first 10 months of the pandemic.
This week has seen the Premier make calls to the federal government to double its Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) payouts from $500 a week to $1000, with the province paying the difference. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is discussing the proposed changes to the CSRB with Ontario. Freeland said the CSRB is there to help Canadians who would otherwise “fall through the cracks,” either because they do not have a regular employer or because their province has not yet mandated that paid sick leave be offered.
It came a day after MPPs voted against Bill 247, which would have mandated Ontario workers receive 10 guaranteed sick days per year.
April 28 has been the National Day of Mourning for deaths and injuries in the workplace since 1991. Coun. Scott Robertson was on-hand for the virtual ceremony for the official proclamation on behalf of the City of North Bay.
“While we mourn the dead, we must fight for the living by doing everything we can to protect those around us,” Giroux concluded during his remarks.
With files from Mohamed Fahim
