NUNAVUT - About 20 people observed the national day of mourning for workers killed or injured on the job in 2010 in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories at the legislative assembly in Iqaluit on April 28.

A ceremony commemorating those who died on the job in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut was held at the legislative assembly in Iqaluit on April 28. There were five deaths in 2010, one was in Nunavut. John Vander Velde, vice-chair of the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut lays a flower on the book of remembrance. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

Special attention was paid to the the sole worker in Nunavut to die on the job last year, the pilot of a helicopter that crashed near Clyde River.

"One death is one too many," said Geoff Ryan, vice-president for Nunavut, Northern Territories Federation of Labour.

In August 2010, Jean-Michel Remy, a pilot with Universal Helicopters who was contracted out by Natural Resources to transport staff and equipment for their researchers, was flying from Clyde River to Pond Inlet.

He did not arrive in Pond and the wreckage of his Bell 206 Longranger helicopter was found north of Clyde River around Sam Ford Fiord. Remy was the lone occupant of the aircraft.

Also being remembered were four workers from the Northwest Territories: William Bleach, Isadore Lomen, Walter Fabbro and Roger Menie.

The names of the deceased were read, wreaths and flowers were laid, there was a moment of silence and a book of remembrance was left at the legislative assembly for the day.

Each year, 1,000 Canadian workers do not come home from work and Ryan said the number of people killed at work in Canada has risen for the last 15 years.

He said more has to be done to reduce the number of deaths included updating laws and hiring more inspectors to fine offenders.

"Only when the cost of workplace injuries and death is too high to pay will employers make the necessary changes for all workers," Ryan said.

With the increased interest and boom in jobs in sectors such as mining and construction in Nunavut, the issue of safety is even more pressing.

Ryan said mining itself is a fairly dangerous industry combined with the geographical location of the remote camps making it harder for injured workers to receive medical treatment and for inspectors to visit such sites.

"No matter what safety must come first," he said.

John Vander Velde, vice-chair of the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, said it is up to the willingness of the workers and employers to work together.

He added a lot of the onus lies in the hands of the workers.

"We must make sure we do our part, must do our best to educate ourselves, promote safety within our organization and make safety a priority," he said.

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