The History of Labour Day

Many people consider Labour Day to be the unofficial end of summer since it coincides with the start of the school year and the return to business as usual for many establishments. The first Monday of September marks Labour Day, a national holiday in Canada. This celebration has a rich industrial history dating back to the Victorian period.

In 1874, unions held parades and demonstrations in Toronto and Ottawa to commemorate the end of a strike that had won advances for workers, including the legalization of unions in Canada; this marked the origin of Labour Day as we know it today.

The first official Labor Day celebrations in the United States were conducted in 1882 when a New York labor convention inspired other labor groups to do the same. Workers from around the United States and Canada paid attention to the conference, putting pressure on their respective labor governments to make the first Monday in September a national holiday.

Labor Day significance

Workers in Canada didn't always have the protections that they do now. Canadians now generally expect basic labor protections like a secure workplace, a guaranteed minimum salary, and the freedom to organize a labor union. Many of these privileges did not extend to the working class in the 19th century. In addition, it took the sacrifice of many Canadian workers to secure these benefits. On Labour Day, we honor the people who fought for the rights and safety measures we enjoy in the workplace today.

Canadian Labour Day: A Brief History

In 1894, Labour Day was recognized by law as a national holiday in Canada. But the roots of the festival go back further than that. Historians often point to 1872 as the catalyst for establishing Labor Day in Canada. At a period when most workers were expected to put in twelve-hour days, the Nine-Hour Movement of 1872 advocated for shorter shifts. This labor movement was put in place to advocate for workers' rights.

• The nine-hour movement

A strike by the Toronto Typographical Union began on April 15, 1872. They led a march of 10,000 union members and sympathizers to Toronto's Queen's Park. However, labor unions and coordinated strikes against employers were both illegal. Consequently, 24 strike organizers were taken into custody and convicted of criminal conspiracy.

People were outraged by the arrests and took to the streets in protest. Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister, replied by vowing to repeal anti-union legislation. The Trade Unions Act was enacted by Parliament on July 14 of that year, officially recognizing unions. 

• Labour Day is now a federal holiday

This was a monumental achievement for workers' rights. The bill paved the way for employees to seek additional benefits. A parade commemorating the city's success in establishing unions has been held annually in Toronto since the Nine-Hour Movement. The first official Labor Day was celebrated in 1894. At its inception, the holiday was celebrated primarily by labor organizations. Eventually, however, more and more companies began closing for the day in recognition of the holiday. Most Canadian employees will be off today to celebrate Labour Day, a national holiday.

The Canadian Labour Day Weekend celebration

Now that you know why and how Canadians commemorate Labour Day, you should know some of the best things to do in the country during the long weekend. The Pacific and Canadian National Exhibitions are two of the largest and most awaited events of the year, occurring around Labor Day. Vancouver, British Columbia, hosts the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), whereas Toronto, Ontario, hosts the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).

• The Canadian National Exhibition

The Canadian National Exhibition is a must-see every year. Toronto hosts the festival annually in the weeks before Labor Day. About 1.5 million people attend the exhibition annually, making it Toronto's most popular annual event.

• Pacific National Exhibition

The PNE stands in for the CNE in Western Canada. Like the CNE, the PNE returns to Vancouver annually and runs for about two weeks before Labour Day. The PNE is jam-packed with exciting shows, concerts, and delicious cuisine. 

You're certain to have a fantastic time at any show because of the abundance of interesting things to do and see. They are a fantastic opportunity to have fun with the people that matter most in your life. While the CNE and PNE are the two largest events on Labour Day, they are far from the only ones. There are always a few things going on around you, no matter where you happen to be in Canada. Several professional sports leagues host special events over the Labor Day weekend.

Labor Day is a time to recognize the contributions of all Canadians who have made the nation what it is today and continue to struggle for workplace justice. It's still a day that celebrates the worth and worthiness of workers worldwide, just as it was intended to be all those years ago.