Flags outside the North Grenville Municipal Centre are flying at half-mast today to mark the National Day of Mourning.
Also called “Workers’ Mourning Day,” the National Day of Mourning is meant to commemorate people killed or injured in the workplace.
It began in Canada in the 1980s, and was made an official observance by the federal government in late 1990.
Mayor Nancy Peckford says she wants people to keep frontline workers in mind today, because of the hardships they’ve faced over the last two years.
“The pandemic in particular, has exacerbated our health-care system and has taken a tremendous toll on the health and well-being of front-line health-care workers, from burnout to PTSD and more,” she says.
Peckford also wants today to remind people about the importance of workplace safety.
“In North Grenville,” she says, “in addition to remembering those lost and injured, the day is also an opportunity to remind ourselves and other employers throughout the community to work together – employees and employers – across all sectors to ensure a safe and accommodating workplace.”