Public memorial service today at 11 a.m. for National Day of Mourning
By Medicine Hat News on April 28, 2023.
The City of Medicine Hat is honouring individuals whose lives were lost or altered as a result of workplace tragedy today, Canada’s National Day of Mourning. A public memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. the Medicine Hat Memorial Arboretum, located at the corner of Factory Street and S. Railway Street. City corporate safety lead Jason Wheeler will be the MC, with Mayor Linnsie Clark, police chief Alan Murphy and interim fire chief Chad Eakins providing remarks. “On National Day of Mourning, it is important to take a pause to think of workers who have been seriously injured or lost their lives while doing work,” Wheeler said. “(As well as), reflect on the effect it has on families and co-workers, and aim to reset towards a zero-injury workplace.” The service will begin with a moment of silence for those who have passed, or have been injured, disabled or afflicted with industrial disease. The city is inviting Hatters unable to attend the memorial to join in marking the day with a moment of silence at 11 a.m. Flags will also be lowered at various city facilities. In 2022, workplace tragedy took the lives of 161 Albertans, 101 of whom were afflicted with occupational disease, 30 who experienced bodily trauma, 27 involved in motor vehicle accidents and three who suffered cardiac events. 9-8
