Labour Day falls on the first Monday in September. While many Canadians may think of Labour Day as the unofficial end to the summer, it is also a day of great significance for the labour movement and workers’ rights.
In 1872, at a time when unions were still illegal in Canada, a demonstration was held in support of striking workers from the Toronto Typographical Union who were fighting for a shorter work week. What began as a group of 2,000 workers marching through the city streets became a parade of 10,000, standing together in solidarity at Queen’s Park. Prime Minister John A. Macdonald sided with the workers and eventually passed the Trade Unions Act, which repealed outdated laws and decriminalized unions.
The events in Toronto showed the power of workers to influence public opinion and shape policy through solidarity. Parades supporting and celebrating workers’ rights became annual traditions across Canada. In 1894, Labour Day was declared a national holiday.
Today, we recognize the efforts of the labour movement to improve life for working people from its earliest days. Across Canada, we come together to honour those who have fought to ensure better rights, wages and working conditions for everyone and to speak out about ongoing labour issues and injustices.
ONA members have been part of this fight. We’ve taken stands on major labour concerns in health care, including workplace violence, health and safety, safe staffing, pay equity, anti-racism and anti-oppression work, Reconciliation and much more. Together with workers across the province, we are committed to standing up and fighting back.
This year, as we continue to face economic uncertainty due to Trump’s tariffs and attacks on our public services by the Ford government, it’s important that workers band together. United, we can face looming cuts and health-care privatization with solidarity and resolve.
Our families, friends, coworkers and community all deserve better working conditions and an affordable life with high-quality, public services. We can create the Canada we all want by coming together to #FightLocal. Here are some ways you can take action to support nurses and health-care professionals and all working people.
Events
We encourage ONA members, family and friends to join us and other labour unions in celebrating this Labour Day.
ONA is once again organizing a group to march in the Labour Day parade in Toronto. All participants will receive free entry tickets to the CNE. This is a family-friendly event. Please register to attend.
The Canadian Labour Congress has compiled a list of 2025 Labour Day Events. Find one in your community!
