Alberta unions and the provincial government observed the National Day of Mourning on Tuesday, honoring 144 workers who lost their lives due to work-related illness or injury in 2025. The annual event, held at the Broken Families Obelisk in Grant Notley Park in Edmonton, highlighted the importance of psychological health in the workplace.
Focus on Psychological Health
This year's commemoration emphasized the impacts of stress, harassment, burnout, and trauma on workers. Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) President Gil McGowan stated that such injuries are preventable and should not be considered an acceptable part of any job. He called for employers to treat psychosocial hazards with the same seriousness as physical, ergonomic, and chemical hazards.
“Psychological injuries should be prevented just like injuries caused by working with heavy machinery or exposure to chemicals,” McGowan said in a news release. He noted that Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) statistics show only 44 percent of psychological injury claims are accepted, a rate far lower than for physical injuries.
Worker Stress and Mental Health
McGowan emphasized that for many Alberta workers, their job is the most stressful part of daily life. “Work should not exacerbate the stress that workers experience. No worker should have to sacrifice their mental health to earn a living,” he added.
WCB data revealed that of the 144 deaths, 82 were due to occupational disease, 39 from trauma, 20 from motor vehicle collisions, and three from other causes.
Health Care Workers at Risk
Mike Parker, president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, highlighted the significant physical and psychological risks faced by health care workers. He noted that members have an above-average disabling injury rate and that one in four experienced workplace violence in the past year.
“We will continue pushing for stronger workplace protections, including safer worksites, better supports, and recognition of the impacts this work can have on professionals,” Parker stated in a news release.
Government and Union Response
Unions across Alberta held ceremonies to mark the day. Alberta Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Minister Joseph Schow issued a statement acknowledging the solemnity of the occasion. “These 144 people were more than workers. They were parents, siblings, spouses, children, and friends,” Schow said. “The National Day of Mourning reminds us that everyone—employers, workers, and governments—has a responsibility to create healthy and safe workplaces.”
The event serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for improved workplace safety measures and support for workers facing psychological risks.
