More than 100 people came together Monday evening to remember security guard Mario Ruffolo, who was killed on the job Jan. 15 at the Guelph Central Station.
The event was part remembrance and part rally for the right of every worker to come home safely after each shift.
Everyone must work together to prevent workplace injuries or deaths and to protect the community, said Andrew Cleary, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1189.
"Not one more death, not one more family member, not one more tragedy should happen. Life is too precious to have it taken away in an incident that could have and should have been prevented in the first place" said Cleary.
The procession began at Guelph City Hall before moving to Guelph Central Station, where Ruffolo was killed.
A wreath was laid at the side of the building and dozens of green ribbons were tied to an adjacent fence. Organizers said the green ribbon represents a call for safe working conditions and mental health supports.
Organizers are calling on all three levels of government to address what is happening in communities across the province, said Cleary.
Attendees at Monday's rally included Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield, MPP Mike Schreiner, councillors Mike Salisbury, James Gordon and Phil Allt and former councillor Gloria Kovach.
Remarks from Ruffolo's family were read aloud during a small service at Guelph Central Station.
"Mario woke up n the morning of January 15th preparing to go to work as a security guard at the Guelph train station. This was his third day on the job, having no idea it would be his last day — never to return home to his family," said the remarks from the family.
"Our family is forever broken without him," said the family statement. "He is and will be forever deeply missed."
During the vigil it was pointed out if the contract for security at the station was doubled, Ruffolo may still be alive today. The cost would be just $28 an hour, two times the $14 an hour Ruffolo was being paid.
A statement from Ruffolo's sister was also read during the vigil, thanking all of those who could come.
"I not only hope this will bring awareness to a failed system of protecting workers from violence in the workplace, but also bringing awareness to just how badly our mental health system is failing those who need care and support," said his sister in the statement.
Meagan Jobin was at the vigil. She once worked at GardaWorld and was a supervisor to Ruffolo.
During the vigil Jobin held a donation box decorated with a photo of her former coworker.
She said Ruffolo was well liked by everybody.
"I'm not surprised there was a good turnout," said Jobin before beginning to cry. "He was a very kind man," she continued.
Cleary said cuts to programs and services in relation to mental health and addictions is having a real effect on the safety of workers.
"When decisions are made to limit or eliminate the supports and the funding to areas of mental health and addiction, it is apparent the result is to download on to public spaces and services," said Cleary.
"As a result, our community suffers and the safety of workers, just like our colleague Mario, become threatened," said Cleary.
Without proper support, Cleary said public spaces, like arenas, libraries, parks and transit hubs are used more often by people living with mental health and addictions and workers are not trained or equipped to deal with high-risk issues — which can threaten the worker, the public and the individual in crisis, as well.
Matthew Hunter worked as a supervisor for GardaWorld
"I supervised Mario for a time," said Hunter in an interview after the vigil.
Hunter said he brought concerns about worker safety to management and was fired shortly thereafter.
"The managers were well aware of issues we had at this location," said Hunter. "We have had guards spit on at this location, assaulted in the past. I brought up to management that there should be at least two guards on staff at the site."
He hopes the vigil will lead to changes being made.
"Mario worked for minimum wage. He didn't have any use-of-force training, he didn't have any mental health crisis training and the company didn't give him anything more than a shirt and a pair of pants for protection," said Hunter.
"Having just one man working there at night — it just didn't make sense," said Hunter.
A petition asking for permanent memorial in remembrance of Ruffolo was passed around and signed by many in attendance.
