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Unifor members across Canada celebrated Labour Day, enjoying parades, picnics, free concerts and more as they collectively resolved to help ensure the country has a new government next month.
“This is a historic Labour Day,” Unifor National President Jerry Dias said to members gathered for the Labour Day Parade in Toronto.
“We are six weeks away from changing the politics of Canada. We are marching toward that change. “
Dias said the issues that are important to working people – good jobs, decent pensions, health care, the minimum wage and more – are simply not priorities for the Harper Government.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair told Unifor members in Toronto that an NDP government would work with labour to build a more equitable and just Canada.
“It’s our turn, it’s our time. Together, let’s bring real change to Ottawa,” Mulcair said.
In between speeches, Unifor members and their families in Toronto got their faces painted, played with balloons and sidewalk chalk, blew bubbles, made pipe cleaner art and listened to music from a live band as they prepared for the parade to begin.
In the Vancouver area, Canadian 70s rockers Chilliwack entertained Unifor members and others at a family picnic in Burnaby hosted by the B.C. Federation of Labour, the Vancouver & District Labour Council, and New Westminster & District Labour Council.
There was face-painting, games and a bouncy castle, plus roasted corn, juice boxes and free hotdogs and veggie dogs.
On the East Coast, parades were held in Halifax, St. John’s and several other communities. The Halifax festivities included a rally in the city’s Victoria Park, the 16th year the event has been held. A barbeque was held by the Strait Area District Labour Council on Cape Breton.
In Winnipeg, Unifor members marched in a parade down Portage Avenue, the scene of clashes between police and strikers during the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919.
Unifor retirees, meeting for their annual conference, marched through the streets of Port Elgin, while members in Windsor also came out in force.
