Toronto – Every year the Toronto and York Region Labour Council honours workers who died or were injured on the job. On Monday, April 28, the Labour Council will pay tribute to the Chinese railroad workers who played a vital role in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway over a century ago.

The Chinese railroad workers worked under extremely harsh, exploitive and hostile conditions. As a result, thousands were seriously injured or died during the construction of the railroad. These deaths often went unreported.

"The Chinese railroad workers exemplified the sacrifices made by all immigrant workers towards the building of Canada", said John Cartwright, President of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council. A For too many years their contribution was not recognized by our society.

"As a Labour Council, one of our top priorities is to advocate for a safe and healthy workplace. We must commemorate those workers who were injured or died on the job so that their sacrifices will not be forgotten. One of the best places to do that is at the Monument to the Chinese Railroad Workers next to the SkyDome."

John Cartwright and Jim Pon, Chairman of the Foundation to Commemorate the Chinese Railroad Workers, will lay a wreath at the Monument dedicated to the Chinese Railroad Workers.