The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL:

Speaker, yesterday marked the beginning of Safety and Health Week – a continent-wide event spanning Canada, the United States and Mexico – which focuses on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending an event to recognize the National Day of Mourning. The event had a powerful message, reminding us safety is everyone’s responsibility.

In the last five years, 140 workers in this province lost their lives as result of workplace incidents and occupational disease. This is unacceptable.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a right to safe, incident-free work environments, and this is why Digital Government and Service NL continues to engage with employers, workers and labour groups to enhance safety practices.

Working together, we enforce strong safety standards, increase safety awareness and ensure adequate safety training in workplaces throughout our province.

Speaker, we all have a responsibility to promote health and safety. Renewing our commitment to safe and healthy work environments helps ensure that we can all return home to our friends and families every day.

Thank you.