Day of Mourning 2026: Protecting Psychological Health and Safety at Work

Toronto – April 22, 2026 - Each year on April 28, the Day of Mourning is a solemn reminder of the lives lost, injured, or forever changed due to workplace incidents and illnesses. It is a time to honour those workers, support their families, and renew our collective commitment to making every workplace safer.

This year’s theme, “Psychological Health and Safety is Occupational Health and Safety,” highlights an important truth: workplace safety must extend beyond the physical. While progress has been made in addressing visible hazards, psychological risks such as stress, harassment, burnout, and trauma continue to impact workers across all sectors.

UFCW Canada continues to advocate for safer workplaces that safeguard both the physical and psychological health of workers.

Protecting workers means recognizing that psychological injuries are just as real and just as serious as physical ones. No worker should have to choose between their mental well-being and their livelihood.

Governments must treat psychological health and safety with the same seriousness as physical health and safety in both legislation and workplace compensation systems, and UFCW Canada, in joining the Canadian Labour Congress, is calling for urgent action to make this a priority. This includes implementing enforceable protections to prevent occupational psychological injuries before they occur, not after the damage is done.

A consistent, national standard for psychological health and safety is also essential. Workers across the country deserve equal protections, regardless of where they live or work.

On this Day of Mourning, we remember the fallen and recommit to fighting for safer, healthier workplaces, where every worker’s life, dignity, and mental well-being are fully protected.