New Foundations to Pay Tribute to Fallen Workers Proposed
Legislation would create three foundations to honour firefighters, peace officers and workers.
On April 13, the Manitoba Government introduced proposed legislation that would establish new foundations that would create tributes in the memory of firefighters, peace officers and workers who have lost their lives on the job. The proposed Firefighters, Peace Officers and Workers Memorial Foundations Act would give three new foundations the authority to raise funds for the design, creation, placement and ongoing maintenance of monuments to honour each group's members. The monuments would be located on or near the grounds of the Manitoba Legislative Building.
"We are pleased to be able to advance these worthy projects with these three groups who are dedicated to recognizing those who have died at work," said Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Ron Lemieux. "This legislation will put their fundraising efforts in motion eventually leading to new, suitable monuments to honour all fallen workers and the efforts of these people to make this a better province."
Also speaking at the ceremony announcing the new legislation was MFL President Darlene Dziewit (left, at podium). She thanked Premier Doer and Ministers Allan and Lemieux for introducing the legislation.
"Your government is the first in Canada to pay a tribute of this kind and in this magnitude to workers who have been killed on the job", she commented. "It is an especially fitting time for this announcement to be made, given how close it comes to April 28, which is Canada's National Day of Mourning.
"I know that these monuments will be particularly important to the families of workers who have died on the job. They will at last have a place to come to that will demonstrate a wonderful tribute to their loved one. This will, I believe, provide comfort to those family members.
"We are envisioning the kind of monument which will become a place of peace and tranquillity, and which will invite visitors to stop and reflect, meditate and remember. Thanks to the Government of Manitoba for introducing the legislation that will enable these important monuments to come to be. Now it is up to the labour movement in Manitoba to roll up our sleeves and make it happen."
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Among the other representatives of labour present at the announcement ceremony was Glenn Michalchuk, vice-president of the Winnipeg Labour Council. Glenn has long cherished the dream of a workers monument, and has been working on this project for six years.
The new foundations would work with the provincial government to ensure their eventual plans and the placement of the monuments would be compatible with the surrounding area. The three proposed new foundations are the Firefighters Memorial Foundation, the Peace Officers Memorial Foundation, and the Workers Memorial Foundation.
In addition to raising funds, the three foundations would also promote public awareness and recognition of the positive contributions of their members who died while on the job.