On Friday, April 28, the University recognizes the National Day of Mourning, joining businesses and institutions across Canada and more than 100 countries worldwide in remembering those who have died, been injured, or become ill due to a workplace tragedy.

All flags on our three campuses will be lowered to half-mast on Friday to honour these individuals and to signal the University’s commitment to protecting our community by ensuring health and safety in our workplaces across the tri-campus.

According to the most recent statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, 1,081 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada in 2021. With adequate training and supervision, many of these tragedies could have been avoided.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety encourages individuals to hold a moment of silence at 11:00 am on April 28. A video to commemorate the National Day of Mourning is available to help honour, appreciate, and remember the individuals lost or injured in a workplace tragedy.

Providing and maintaining a safe environment in which to work is the University of Toronto’s primary responsibility. Each day, we reaffirm this responsibility as a commitment to our employees, their families, and loved ones.