Sarnia's East Street Fire Hall was filled Friday evening with family, friends and co-workers remembering those who have fallen ill or died on the job.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said the message, while simple, is powerful.
"For the Victims of Chemical Valley, some of these claims go back 20 to 30 years and they're still not settled, that's just an injustice," said Bradley. "So what I hope every year for this is we take the strength to say they will not be forgotten and they will be remembered."
Job Trainer with LiUNA Chad Hogan spoke out not only about the need for safety in the workplace, but the need to educate and talk about mental health.
"Mental health includes our emotions, our feelings, our connections to people, our thoughts and ways that we can manage life's highs and lows," said Hogan. "Sixty two per cent of Canadians acknowledge work as their biggest stressor, and it's not going away. One in four Canadians has identified that their stress levels have increased just in the last year."
The National Day of Mourning was first held in 1991 to recognize the victims of the devastating Westray coal mine explosion in Nova Scotia.
Friday's ceremony was the first in person event in Sarnia since 2019.
