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This Labour Day, Unifor members gathered at events from coast to coast with one united message: Protect Canadian Jobs. As Trump’s tariffs continue to threaten Canada’s economy, workers gathered to build on the bold vision that Unifor has put forward to put workers first and to safeguard industries.
In Toronto, Ont., Unifor members gathered in Nathan Philips Square to share solidarity and union pride.
Unifor National President Lana Payne shared an important Labour Day message with the crowd.
“We celebrate Labour Day at a time when we are also vigorously defending our rights and campaigning for stronger ones. We can never rest. There is no room for complacency in the workers movement.”
Payne highlighted the urgency of worker power in this moment, “…we are in the fight of our lives. Donald Trump wants to destroy the industrial economy of Canada. He wants to steal our jobs. He wants to take our critical resources. He wants to undermine our democracy. And, yes, he sees us as nothing more than the 51st state. I want to tell you something: Trump won’t win. He won’t win.”
Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi added, “When companies think they can break Canadian workers, they forget one simple fact: we are Unifor, and we’re not going anywhere! Unifor is standing up to Trump’s tariffs, to greedy corporations, and to every attempt to divide us.”
A line-up of Unifor members also spoke at the rally in Toronto, sharing stories about how they have been on the frontlines making communities across Ontario better places for workers and their families.
Dustin Philip, Local 112, Balkar Bains, Local 4457, and Shan Ramanathan, Local 4271, shared stories from the picket lines at Toromont, DHL, and the CN Tower. Hazel Harris, Local 40, shared the experience of workers at Hudson’s Bay Company who are still owed tens of thousands of dollars in severance.
Vito Beato, Local 1285 President also joined to highlight the experiences of auto workers in the face of U.S. tariffs – reminding the crowd why defending Canadian auto jobs is critical for workers and communities.
In Port Elgin, Ont., members of the Unifor Retired Workers Council met for the annual parade celebrations, ending with a solidarity barbecue for the community at Unifor’s Family Education Centre.
Walking together in the hundreds along with Grey Bruce Labour Council representatives and other unions and community members, they chanted, “Protect Canadian jobs!” as they marched down Goderich St.
Labour Day in Port Elgin is always intertwined with the Retired Workers Council, which meets during this week, bringing retirees from across Canada to take part in Monday’s parade.
At least four buses carrying retirees from Unifor south-central Ontario locals in Windsor, Oshawa, Kitchener and London made their way to downtown Port Elgin, building power in numbers for the parade.
“It’s a full day of dedication for these retired workers,” said Barb Dolan, Unifor Retired Workers Director. “It’s inspiring.”
In Vancouver, B.C., nearly 2,000 members and families—including newly organized Amazon workers—kicked off Labour Day at the Maritime Labour Centre, where politicians joined to discuss Protecting Canadian Jobs, before heading to the Pacific National Exhibition for a day of rides, shows and celebration.
“Labour Day is about more than a celebration—it’s about showing that workers have the power to take on giants like Amazon and stand firm against politicians like Donald Trump and his tariffs. Together, we can protect good Canadian jobs and create a stronger, fairer economy for the next generation,” said Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.
On the east coast, in Moncton, N.B., Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray joined Unifor members to share a message of unity. “It was an honour to stand with workers in Moncton this Labour Day. Our unity is our strength—whether we’re fighting for fair contracts, defending good Canadian jobs, or standing up to global corporations and short-sighted politicians. Celebrating together reminds us what we’re fighting for and the power we have when we do it together,” said Murray.
This year, Labour Day follows Unifor’s 5th Constitutional Convention, where members gathered to shape the vision and strategy of the union for the next three years. This year’s Labour Day events continue to build on that momentum for Unifor’s bold vision for a resilient economy.
View photos from the Toronto Labour Day event here.
View photos from the Port Elgin Labour Day parade here.
For more information on Unifor’s Protect Canadian Jobs campaign visit protectjobs.ca.
