Nova Scotia Day of Mourning honours firefighter who died in 2019 training exercise

National Day of Mourning was marked in Halifax – to remember workers who never came home.

This year’s Day of Mourning in Nova Scotia is highlighting Skyler Blackie, a 28-year-old firefighter who died during a live training exercise in March 2019 when an expired and faulty fire extinguisher exploded.

The Day of Mourning honours workers who suffered injuries or lost their lives in workplace accidents or work-related injuries.

In 2025, 15 workers died from chronic injuries due to their work and seven died from acute traumatic injuries, according to a news release from the provincial government.

According to the government, workplace injury rates in Nova Scotia have dropped from three per cent to an historic low of 1.31 per cent from 1994 to 2025.

“On this day, we recommit to fight for the living and for a Nova Scotia free of workplace deaths,” said Melissa Marsman, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, in the release. “Employers, elected officials and all Nova Scotians have a role to play in prioritizing workplace safety, enforcing existing laws and ensuring that every worker is protected on the job.”

Following Blackie’s death, the province audited the Nova Scotia Firefighters School where he died. In 2025, the government cut ties with the school over systemic issues and an erosion of public trust.

Day of Mourning ceremonies were held in Halifax, Kentville, Sydney and Trenton on Tuesday.

“We encourage all Nova Scotians to use this day for remembrance, reflection and action. Today, we come together to pay tribute to those who have died or been injured on the job, knowing every workplace death is an unimaginable loss,” said Nolan Young, minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “To all grieving these losses, my heartfelt condolences go out to you.”

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