National Day of Observance

Today, March 11, 2021 marks the sad anniversary of the first death in Canada due to COVID-19.

Here in the City of St. John’s, our lives have been forever changed by this virus. While infection rates and deaths have thankfully remained low in terms of relative numbers, the impact of this disease is equally felt by our residents, business owners and organizations.

To mark this day, the City joins thousands of other municipalities across the country as we lower our flags in tribute not only to those who have lost their lives but also to the many individuals who have dedicated themselves to keeping our community going during the past year.

On behalf of the members of City Council, I want to thank our frontline health care workers and essential workers – including our own staff – who put themselves at risk, working long hours to ensure we receive the care and services we need.

I am both proud of and thankful for the resilience shown by our residents, the ingenuity and adaptability shown by our business owners and the dedication and commitment of our staff in these challenging times.

We all have a role to play in ending this pandemic. As vaccinations begin to reach everyone in the community, I ask for your patience and vigilance in following public health guidelines. The end is in sight, but the next few months are more important than ever when it comes to ensuring we all stay safe and protected.

Mayor Danny Breen
City of St. John’s