ON Thursday, April 28, the national Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace, Vancouver City Hall and the Board of Parks and Recreation flags will be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset. Commemorative wreaths will also be placed at the north steps of City Hall.

A ceremony will also take place at Jack Poole Plaza beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a moment of silence at 11 a.m. to commemorate all workers in B.C. who have lost their lives, or become sick or injured on the job. A WorkSafe BC livestream of the event can be viewed online.

“Many at the City are remembering Gord Dolyniuk, an Engineering Services staff member who died this past January while working at National Yard,” said Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart on Wednesday. “To his family and friends, and all those missing a loved one today, we recommit to ensuring every worker makes it home safe.”

VFRS recently commemorated Captain Steve Letourneau, who battled with cancer and died in 2020 while still on active duty. The City also lost four retired Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) members in 2021 due to occupational-related illnesses: Andrew McNaughton, Paul Robert Helem, James Whiting and Donald Lee.

“I want to recognize the many staff across the City who are working hard every day to ensure that our workplaces are safe,” said Paul Mochrie, City Manager. “Their efforts are critically important. Despite that good work, it is clear that, as an organization, we can always do better.”

Earlier this year, as part of the City’s continued commitment to safety, the City of Vancouver established a new role of Chief Safety Officer. Part of this role is to review current safety management systems and practices across the City.