OTTAWA – Today, the Green Party of Canada commemorates workers who have died, been injured or become ill due to their jobs.
“This past year has had an additional element of tragedy for workers, with so many frontline and essential employees losing their lives or becoming seriously ill due to COVID-19,” said Green Party Leader Annamie Paul. “The pandemic has laid bare the dangers the daily dangers workers face to provide us with goods and services, and we must do more to protect them.
“Many of those who put themselves in harm’s way during this pandemic are the very people who ensured that the rest of us received the care, food, transportation and vital services that kept our society functioning. Unable to work from home, with the measure of safety that would provide, these people had to face the daily anxiety and uncertainty brought on by this terrible health crisis. Worse, many of them were unable to get paid sick leave, or adequate childcare. We all owe them a debt of gratitude, and we also owe them the protection of being vaccinated without delay.
“The Green Party will continue to strive for policies that better protect workers, and today we focus on remembering those whose lives have been irrevocably changed because of their work. Our thoughts are with all the families, friends and communities who have lost loved ones, or who continue to live with the impacts of work-related injuries and illness.”
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For more information or to arrange an interview:
Rosie Emery
Press Secretary
613-562-4916x206