Today, Canadians are celebrating Labour Day. This long weekend has come to mark the end of summer and back to school, but it is also an important day in the history of Canada.
In Canada, Labour Day was first celebrated in 1872 and is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the contributions that workers have made to our country for over a century and to reaffirm the importance of protecting workers’ rights. We cannot build a stronger economy or a stronger middle class without workers and the unions that represent them.
Our government knows that safe and productive workplaces rely on fair and balanced labour relations. And we recognize that unions play a key role in upholding the rights and protections of Canadian workers. Canada’s labour movement has been integral in demonstrating the value of fair wages, safe working conditions, and employment equity and diversity.
Our approach to labour relations is based on partnership, mutual respect and engagement. That’s why we ratified the International Labour Organization’s Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining and passed Bill C-4; a bill that to restore fairness and balance to labour relations in this country.
Our partnership with the labour movement is incredibly important, and will be going forward, as we work to implement proactive pay equity legislation, flexible work arrangements, promote good quality jobs, modernize the Canada Labour Code and eliminate violence and sexual harassment in the workplace.
Together, as we celebrate our shared commitment to keeping Canada’s workforce strong and healthy, I would like to wish all Canadians a safe and happy Labour Day.
Hon. Patty Hajdu,
Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
