Medicine Hat erects monument for
 Day of Mourning

On Saturday, April 28th, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. in Memorial Park in Medicine Hat, there was a Memorial Ceremony for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job.

This park is the location of the monument that was dedicated on April 28, 2000 to "The Memory of Alberta Workers Whose Lives Were Lost to Accident or Illness While on the Job". The monument was created by artist Glenn Harper from Medicine Hat. The memorial consists of a concrete obelisk sitting on a large circular base. The base is inset with Roman numerals, resembling a clock, which represents the passage of time. The site also includes a flagpole, which flies a flag of the Province of Alberta one day per year, on April 28th at half-mast from sun up to sun down.

The park also is the site of a Memorial Arboretum where a variety of trees can be donated in memory of a loved one or a special event. The park has been seeded with wheat grass to give it a more natural like setting rather than the traditional mowed park setting. The Medicine Hat and District Labour Council had a tree planted in memory of those who have been killed on the job.

Mayor Ted Grimm signed the proclamation, proclaiming April 28 as an annual Day of Mourning in recognition of workers killed, injured or disabled on the job and an ad with a picture reflecting this and announcing the event, appeared in the Medicine Hat News on April 27. The Proclamation was also read, prior to him saying a few words at the event.

The flags at City Hall were also flown at half-mast on April 27(since City Hall was closed on the 28th).

The program included Ted Grimm, Mayor of the City of Medicine Hat, Gary Wagar, the Executive Director of the Alberta Construction Safety Association, Les Steel, the Secretary Treasurer of the Alberta Federation of Labour and Kerry Barrett, President of the Medicine Hat and District Labour Council. The program also included a moment of silence and a wreath lying. Robin Gilchrist from South Rock Construction laid a wreath in memory of Chris Koch, a 21 year old who was killed on the job in 2000.

Les Steel presented Kerry Barrett with the AFL plaque for April 28th. The plaque will be placed on display at City Hall for the year.

We reminded everyone why we had gathered and encouraged those in attendance to renew their commitment to not only mourn for the dead, but to fight for the living. We also called for more frequent and thorough workplace inspections and for the existing legislation to be enhanced and enforced.