New Brunswickers killed on the job each year remembered at Day of Mourning ceremony

New Brunswickers were presented with a harsh reminder of the startling number of people who are killed and injured on the job Thursday.

Gathered with people across the country today, residents marked the National Day of Mourning which honours those who’ve lost their lives on the job or died from workplace related diseases.

READ MORE: Community mourns death of Sussex sawmill employee killed in workplace accident

“In 2015, over 9,500 New Brunswickers were injured on the job while 14 people lost their lives as a result of workplace injury or disease,” said Patrick Colford, president of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour.

Wreaths were laid on a monument as an act of remembrance. Family members of Frankie “Freckles” Walsh, who drowned in an accident at the Port of Saint John 14 years ago, were at Thursday’s ceremony.

“He went to work one morning,” Betty Walsh Brown, Frankie’s sister said. “I saw him go to work. We waved to each other. Around 8:00 in the morning he went to work and we never seen him after that.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "He went to work one morning," Betty Walsh Brown, Frankie's sister said. "I saw him go to work. We waved to each other. Around 8:00 in the morning he went to work and we never seen him after that."

Government calls for changes to regulations

Colford says it’s clear there isn’t enough being done to protect workers.

“We can’t turn back the time by any means, but knowing what we know now and the fact that people are being affected 30 years later by asbestos in the workplace, you know, we can never do enough,” he said.

READ MORE: Funeral held for Fredericton firefighter who lost battle with occupational cancer

The Federation of Labour is calling for a full ban on asbestos as well as more action on mental health issues.

Labour Minister Francine Landry took part in the ceremony and says work is underway to review the workers compensation legislation.

“We want to ensure that our Workers Compensation System addresses the needs of current and future workplaces,” Landry said. “Not all workplace injuries and illnesses can be seen.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We want to ensure that our Workers Compensation System addresses the needs of current and future workplaces," Landry said. "Not all workplace injuries and illnesses can be seen."

People who attend these ceremonies vow to never forget, and say they serve as a reminder to take care of themselves.

“It makes you more conscious of being safe at work and being careful and taking care of each other at work,” Walsh Brown said.