While the National Day of Mourning is officially on April 28, the Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL) held its annual event on Friday, April 26.
The Safe Workers of Tomorrow (SWOT) Leaders’ Walk began at 11:30 a.m. at the Union Centre and proceeded down Broadway to the Workers Memorial at Memorial Park.
This was followed by the Day of Mourning ceremony, which took place at the Workers Memorial and included the MFL Vigil for Fallen Workers.
This year’s solemn event was marked by the passing of firefighter Preston Heinbigner, 40, who family and friends stated died by suicide after struggling with trauma he had seen while responding to calls on the job.
In the wake of this, the Manitoba Government announced the funding of three mental health counsellors for first responders.
Media reported that Heinbigner's name will be added to a monument for fallen firefighters at Memorial Park in Winnipeg, as well as a memorial for fallen firefighters in the United States.
Below, President Darlene Jackson and MNU staff attended Friday’s National Day of Mourning ceremony.
