Iqaluit (May 02/05) - On a table in the Nunavut legislature lay flowered wreaths and pictures of Charlie Sagiatook, Kakasie Mitsima and Jatinder Ji Singh, reminders of the fragility of life.

These three people died while working in Nunavut in 2004.

Mary Ineak signed a book of condolences for workers who died on the job in Nunavut during the Day of Mourning in Iqaluit last week. Dead on the job Aaron Vandriesum, Wignes Lake Kakasie Mitsima, Iqaluit Charlie Sagiatook, Iqaluit Jatinder Ji Singh Bhanwer, Shepard Bay Gary Robinson, Yellowknife Louise Pargeter, Yellowknife - Information courtesy of the WCB and Public Service Alliance of Canada

On Thursday, April 28, people in Iqaluit took time at noon to think about people who have died or been injured while on the job.

It is a national day of mourning across Canada.

RCMP commanding officer John Henderson addressed the crowd of about 20 people in the lobby of the Nunavut legislature and mentioned the shooting deaths of four RCMP officers in Alberta.

"They were just like millions of other Canadians that went to work expecting to come home at the end of their shift," said Henderson. "With that expectation comes a hope on their part that people like you and I are watching out for them, that the legislation is in place, the policy is in place and the appropriate inspections are being made."

Terry Cameron of the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) called the latest statistics on workplace accidents "alarming."

Since 1984, more than 16,000 Canadians have been killed on the job.

In 2004, the WCB of NWT/Nunavut compensated more than 700 time loss claims.

"We will continue to enforce the safety legislation and strongly promote safety education among our workers and our employers," said Cameron.

Kate Emmons, president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada Nunavut Area Council, spoke about Louise Pargeter, the probation officer who was killed in Yellowknife while working alone.

"I'm glad to say there are provisions in place now where a probation officer will not go out into the workplace alone or at least for the first three months when someone is out on parole for either a sexual offence or a dangerous offence," she said.

People took time to sign a book of condolences set up in the lobby of the legislature filled with names of workers who have died on the job in the NWT and Nunavut dating back to 1984.

Six people died on the job in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories in 2004.