Canadians throughout the nation paused on Sunday to recollect staff who’ve been injured or killed on the job for the Nationwide Day of Mourning.
In Ottawa, there have been a number of devastating office fatalities lately.
That features the horrific Eastway Tank explosion, which killed six staff and injured a seventh individual, to the case of Nick Chenier, who was electrocuted on the job final 12 months. The case is now earlier than the courts.
“If there’s a good facet to grief, I’ve not but reached it,” stated Jennifer Chenier, who was a keynote speaker on the occasion. “Time is just not serving to and a few days I really feel as if the ache deepens. The highway forward appears longer with out you strolling with us. I’m proof against pleasure.”
As she continues to work by way of her grief, Chenier speaks of her son Nick, who was killed on the job in Could 2023.
“I’m afraid that therapeutic means forgetting and I’m not prepared,” she stated.
Chenier’s sudden dying has left behind unmeasurable ache and struggling for his household. Chenier was trimming hedges in Manotick when he was electrocuted after hitting an overhead hydro line that was buried inside a hedge.
“I’ll stand by my promise to him that I’ll guarantee that justice is completed and that this might be preventable to different households and communities,” she stated.
On the Nationwide Day of Mourning, dozens gathered at Vincent Massey Park for an occasion held by the Ottawa and District Labour Council.
“To employers, we are saying there is a Well being and Security Act, there are laws that go along with the Well being and Security Act, and to permit these staff to work in a well being and security atmosphere,” stated Sean McKenny, president of the Ottawa and District Labour Council.
Ottawa has witnessed a number of office fatalities, together with six individuals who had been killed on the job within the Eastway Tank explosion in January 2022.
“This can be a actually essential day of remembrance,” stated Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Labour. “It’s a crucial day to do not forget that problem that we have now to get higher at occupational well being and security for each employee within the nation.”
Nick Chenier, 20, died throughout a office accident in Manotick on Friday, Could 5, 2023. (Equipped)
The Ottawa and District Labour Council says Chenier’s dying is the primary time {that a} prison negligence inflicting dying cost has been laid in opposition to an employer or supervisor of an organization.
Ottawa police charged 38-year-old Steven Deans, a supervisor with Finest Inexperienced Hedges, with prison negligence inflicting dying on Wednesday. The Ministry of Labour has additionally laid 5 prices in opposition to the corporate and its proprietor. On Thursday, the proprietor pleaded responsible to a cost of failing, as director, to take all cheap care to make sure the company complied with the Occupational Well being and Security Act and its laws. A choose imposed a complete of $56,000 in fines.
For Chenier’s mom, it received’t carry again Nick, however his considerate manner lives on.
“He was an incredible younger man. He had essentially the most superb sense of humour. He might take any second and make you snicker,” stated Chenier.
