Did you know?
Labour Day in Canada, celebrated on the first Monday in September, has roots going back to the 1870s. It began as a day to honour workers and their contributions, sparked by the To-ronto Typographical Union’s strike in 1872, which helped bring about the legalization of un-ions. The first official Labour Day was held in 1894, when Parliament declared it a national holiday. Today, it’s both a tribute to Canada’s workforce and the unofficial end of summer — marked by parades, community events, and last-chance barbecues before the fall season. While it’s often seen as a relaxing long weekend, its origins remind us of the struggles and victories that shaped fair working conditions and workers’ rights in Canada.