Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day of Mourning for Injured and Fallen Workers.
Designated by Parliament and observed in more that 70 countries, as well as the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, this day underlines the seriousness of occupational diseases, accidents and deaths.
In federally regulated sectors alone, there is a work related injury every two minutes: 57,000 workers are injured every year, over 50 of them fatally.
In the agricultural sector, between 1991 and 1995, there were 503 deaths, making farming the most dangerous occupation in North America.
There is a huge gap between the legislation governing safety and security in the workplace and its enforcement. It is shameful that even today there are so many workers killed while trying to make a living.