Leo W. Gerard’s hometown of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, on Labour Day officially opened a workers’ memorial park named after the USW’s International President.

The park, dedicated by the Sudbury and District Labour Council on Main Street at Highway 69 North, features a series of plaques holding the names of fallen Sudbury workers.

"I'm really humbled by this," said Gerard. "We should think of this park as a park for workers. We should think of this park as a place that acknowledged those that came before us, those that led the fight for safer, healthier workplaces. We should acknowledge this park for those whose names will be on this plaque and their families.”

Deputy Mayor Ron Dupuis said the park was named after Gerard, a native of Sudbury, because of his position in the union movement.

"We have far too many people who have lost their lives on the job," said Dupuis, who came up with the idea for the park. "I know that there are family members here in the crowd that have lost loved ones. We just want you to know that they will not be forgotten.”

Gerard said he remains optimistic that one day, there will be no more workers who die or are injured on the job.