Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario Government marked the National Day of Mourning on April 28, unveiling a design concept for a new memorial commemorating construction workers whose lives have been lost or changed forever due to work-related incidents.
“Today, we pause to remember the men and women who never made it home, and we stand with the families who carry that loss every single day,” said Victoria Mancinelli
Director of Public Relations, Communications, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, LiUNA. “Their absence is felt not only in our workplaces, but around kitchen tables, in our communities, and in lives forever changed. Every worker deserves to come home safe.
“Together with government, labour, and industry partners, we remain committed to making every workplace safer. Because safety is not optional. It is our duty, and we will never stop fighting for it.”
The memorial, to be located on the grounds of Queen’s Park near the intersection of College Street and University Avenue in Toronto, will provide a dedicated space for reflection and remembrance, while serving as a lasting reminder of the shared responsibility to protect workers every day.
“Today, we join communities across Ontario to remember the workers who have given so much to build our province,” Premier Doug Ford said at the unveiling ceremony. “For the families and colleagues of workers who lost their lives or were injured on the job, this memorial will serve as a place to honour their sacrifices and stand as a reminder of our duty to make sure workers always come home safely.”
Over the last five years the lost-time injury rate per 100 workers in the construction sector has declined by 13.5 per cent (WSIB).
The memorial is expected to be completed in 2027, featuring a collection of plaques that join together to form a self-supporting raised design to honour the names of workers who lost their lives on the job. A new plaque will be added each year on April 28 to mark the National Day of Mourning.
“Our government is remembering those we have lost and supporting workers and families affected by workplace tragedy,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “With this memorial, we are honouring the men and women who built this province and reinforcing a clear message that workplace safety is non-negotiable and protecting workers must always come first.”
The National Day of Mourning was chosen to coincide with the day in 1914 when Ontario’s first modern Workmen’s Compensation Act was passed in the legislature.
“The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council observes April 28, the National Day of Mourning, as a time to stop and remember the workers who never made it home and the families and communities who carry that loss every day,” said Marc Arsenault
Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer, Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario. “The unveiling of the Construction Worker’s Memorial design at Queen’s Park is an important and lasting reminder that these lives must never be forgotten. We welcome the Government of Ontario’s leadership in recognizing this reality.
“This monument stands as both a place to reflect and a call to action – to strengthen our commitment to health and safety, to prevent further tragedies, and to ensure every worker returns home safely at the end of the day.”
In 2025, there were about 580,000 construction workers in Ontario, and over the next decade, the province will need an additional 160,000.
“I’m pleased that this government is recognizing the lives lost by our tradesmen and women while building our great city and province,” said James St. John
Business Manager/Financial Secretary, Central Ontario Building Trades and Director, Hammer Heads. “Our industry and government need to work collaboratively so that we can eliminate all workplace exposures and fatalities.”
