The Canadian LifeQuilt is a memorial dedicated to the thousands of young women and men between the ages of 14-24, who have been killed or injured on the job. At the unveiling of the Canadian LifeQuilt in April 2003, over 60 family members from across the country gathered together in memory of their children. They discussed what they could do and what they still need to help them along their journey of healing. A consistent thread that materialized from this gathering was that all the families at one time or another had been 'lost' and confused by the health and safety system, receiving very little support when they were dealing with the loss of their child.
As a result of families and friends working together and identifying this major gap in our country’s social, health and safety system, Threads of Life was officially launched on April 14, 2003.
Our founders include:
Shirley Hickman -- Mother of Tim Hickman
In 1996, Shirley’s and her family’s lives were forever changed with the tragic workplace death of her son Tim. He was two days shy of his 21st birthday when he was killed during an explosion in a London, Ontario arena. Tim died as a result of his injuries.
Paul Kells -- Father of Sean Kells
Sean Kells was 19 when he was killed in a workplace explosion in 1994. His father, Paul Kells, founded the Safe Communities Foundation in response to this tragic workplace death.
Sharon Peat Step -- Mother of Amanda Peat
Amanda Peat and another teenager were tragically crushed during the Take our Kids to Work event at a John Deer Welland Works Plant several years ago.
Alec Farquhar, Office of the Worker Adviser
Alec has been a long-standing supporter of the LifeQuilt and Threads of
Life from his appointments at the Office of the Worker
Adviser to his current position as Director, Occupational
Health and Safety, Ontario Ministry of Labour, after witnessing the
devastating effects of workplace tragedy on
families.
Clarence MacPherson -- Workers Health and Safety Centre
Clarence has always been a passionate champion of the
LifeQuilt and Threads of Life during his tenure at the
Workers Health and Safety Centre and his current position
with the Ontario Federation of Labour.
Wayne Samuelson, President, Ontario Federation of Labour
As a dedicated New Democrat and trade unionist, Samuelson has, since the early 1970s, woven together his elected and volunteer work; his union and social justice work. He has been a leader and an activist on housing, poverty, anti-racism, health care, the environment, education, solidarity and pride and many other issues.
Maureen Shaw, President and CEO, Industrial Accident Prevention Association
Maureen has been a leader in health and safety for many years. She knows first-hand the impact a workplace injury can have on a family when her son was injured on-the job. Her achievements in the health and safety field have been recognized nationally and internationally. LifeQuilt
(http://www.youngworkerquilt.ca/)
In partnership
with Canadian quilt artist Laurie Swim, founders and
families joined together in a memorial to one hundred youth
killed on the job and injured.
|
