Manitoba honours workers who have lost their lives on Day of Mourning.

Each year, Manitoba commemorates April 28 as a Day of Mourning to honour workers who have died in the province as a result of acute hazards and occupational illnesses. The province lost 24 workers to occupational illnesses and injuries last year.

"This national day of remembrance offers an opportunity to honour all those who have lost their lives to workplace injury and disease, and to collectively commit ourselves to worker safety," said Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen in a release. "Promoting safe and sustainable workplaces is a priority of our government, and we look forward to continued partnerships to make Manitoba’s workplaces safer and stronger."

SAFE Workers of Tomorrow held its annual Day of Mourning Leaders' Walk. The theme for this year's walk was "Twenty Years of Youth Safety" to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of the SAFE Workers of Tomorrow organization and its work to educate Manitoba's young people about workplace safety.

"On behalf of the WCB, I would like to thank SAFE Workers of Tomorrow for their two decades of work in educating young people about safety at work," said Michael Werier, WCB Chairperson in a release. "The WCB recognizes this organization's work because we know first-hand the pain and suffering of those that have been affected by workplace injuries and deaths, and we appreciate their efforts to protect our next generation of workers."

In 2016, SAFE Workers of Tomorrow delivered 1,379 presentations about safe work to 49,033 students and vulnerable workers across the proince.

"SAFE Workers of Tomorrow started in our province 20 years ago with a handful of volunteers sharing their stories with young people to help educate them about their worker rights, identifying hazards and collaborating with employers to address concerns," said Peter Reimer, Executive Director, SAFE Workers of Tomorrow. "With the support of Manitobans, SAFE Workers of Tomorrow has now expanded this message and our goal is to share this with every single student in the province."