Labour Day in Canada used to be a holiday that people took to the streets to celebrate. Up until the Second World War, . These gatherings were more than a celebration; they originated from rallies and hard-won fights for improved working conditions during the age of industrialization. Under pressure from labour organizations, Canada’s federal government —a day dedicated to promoting working-class solidarity and belonging.
Today, however, the meaning behind Labour Day has shifted. Though someĚý, the festive displays of workers’ rights have diminished. For many, Labour Day has become a way to mark the end of summer and the start of a new school year. But perhaps now more than ever, we need Labour Day to return to its roots to help address current injustices facing the workforce. During the unprecedented nature of past 18 months, workers everywhereĚýhave been facing challenges and setbacks that require a holistic response.
COVID-19 and the labour force
It is no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about . But a closer look at this data exposes how these job losses are disproportionately borne by specific populations. ,” women have been to have fallen out of the workforce during the pandemic, with single mothers being the hardest hit. (supported ) have revealed that the burden of unpaid child and elder careĚýduring quarantine has also fallen on the shoulders of women and mothers. Furthermore, the unemployment rate among Canadians and continues to climb. Experts state that labour progress for these groups has been set back at least three decades, and . AsĚýone columnist , “when it comes to the pandemic economy, we’re not all in this together.”
Ěý
A 2020 report from the
Ěý
The impact of these job losses goes far beyond economics, however. Women, visible minorities, and immigrants are Ěýin industries such as healthcare, education, and hospitality services. This exposure makes individuals more susceptible not only to COVID-19 infections but also to incidents of harassment and attacks based on race or ethnicity, in Canada. Perhaps most alarmingly, loss of employment and reduced income are both factors . Quebec has , and throughout the pandemic.
What can we do?
These social injustices cannot be solved by a simple celebrationĚýor the fanfare of a parade. However, they should give us pause to think about what Labour Day means this year and during the pandemic recovery. There are simple steps workers and members of Canadian society can take to push back against existing labour inequities: advocating for pay equity, ensuring household labour is divided fairly, encouraging open discussions about wages with fellow workers, and learning more aboutĚýprovincial labour codes and collective agreements.
On a larger scale, the federal government has announced that target women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and visible minorities. However, . The labour movement is no stranger to fighting for equity: paid maternity leave in Canada resulted in part from , and unions fought for occupational safety reforms . Local unionsĚýcan continue to push for inclusive reforms that assist those hardest hit by the pandemicĚýwhile also ensuring governments live up to their recovery promises.
We have a long way to go to correct the economic and subsequent social injustices caused by COVID-19. Many have suggested that returning to pre-pandemic status-quo should not be the goal; we must push for more. , , , and are just a few of the issues advocates have brought to forward. In the words of , every moment is an organizing opportunity and every minute a chance to change world. Let’s take that time to reflect on what we can do this September 6th.
Sarah Towle comes from an industrial town in rural Canada and isĚýthe first in her family to attend university. She currently works with iMPACTS on research and knowledge mobilization strategies.ĚýĚý
