SASKATCHEWAN — Every workday in Canada, families get news that changes everything. Across Saskatchewan, communities are coming together to make sure fewer ever have to hear it.
Steps for Life returns Sunday, May 3 with events in Regina and Saskatoon, uniting workers, families, and advocates in a shared effort to remember lives impacted and prevent future workplace tragedies.
In Regina, the walk takes place at Wascana Park, with registration opening at 10 a.m. and remarks at 10:40. In Saskatoon, participants will gather at Rotary Park, where registration begins at noon and opening remarks start at 1 p.m.
The five-kilometre, family-friendly walk is part of a national movement supporting Threads of Life, which provides peer support and resources to families affected by workplace deaths, life-altering injuries, and occupational disease.
“Steps for Life is our signature fundraiser,” said Shari Hinz, Regional Development Coordinator for Western Canada with Threads of Life. “It allows us to offer programs and services to individuals and families impacted by workplace tragedies at no cost.”
Created in 2004, Steps for Life has grown into a nationwide initiative aimed at changing how Canadians think about workplace health and safety. Each spring, tens of thousands participate in communities across the country, raising awareness and funding while honouring those affected.
The impact is both personal and far-reaching.
Hinz said that on any given day, three Canadian families lose a loved one to a workplace incident. Thousands more face injuries or illnesses that permanently alter their lives. Behind those numbers are ripple effects that extend through families, workplaces, and entire communities.
Threads of Life was founded in 2003 to address a gap in support for those navigating that reality. Today, it connects more than 4,000 families nationwide through peer support, education, and advocacy, all aimed at healing and prevention.
“It’s about bringing the community together to honour those impacted and to highlight how important health and safety is in the workplace,” Hinz stated.
For Lindsay Schulhauser, the cause is deeply personal.
A power-line technician, Schulhauser suffered life-altering injuries after contacting an electrical source while working alone. He says Threads of Life helped him find connection during recovery.
“Through the shared stories, compassion, and support, I learned that I wasn’t alone,” he told. “Healing can include honouring the past while helping prevent future tragedies.”
Participants can walk individually, join teams, or even take part virtually, making the event accessible across Saskatchewan and beyond.
Last year alone, Steps for Life raised nearly $1.2 million nationally, supporting programs that provide one-on-one peer support, workshops, and resources for families navigating grief and recovery.
But organizers say the goal goes beyond fundraising.
It is about building awareness, strengthening communities, and creating a culture where workplace injuries and deaths are no longer accepted as part of the job.
