This Labour Day, as Canadians gather for parades, picnics, and community celebrations, let’s not forget what we’re really marking: the power of workers. From hospital wards, grocery aisles, classrooms, construction sites, and factory floors, workers power this country. And it’s time we got the respect we deserve. But for too many, the past few years have brought more uncertainty than celebration. A worsening housing crisis, rising costs, and insecure jobs are making life harder for working families. While big corporations post record profits and raise prices, our public services are under attack, and governments are failing to act. In communities across the country, workers are doing everything right yet still falling behind. That’s why now, more than ever, we need a powerful, united movement of workers standing together in our unions. Because when workers come together, we deliver real results. We know that rising costs, and affordability are struggles that the working class is facing from coast to coast to coast, and central Vancouver Island is no exception. Without wage increases that exceed the rising cost of living, and affordable housing options, the working class will continue to struggle. This is why the work of the labour movement is so important, not just to unionized workers, but for the whole working class in this country. While politicians offer empty promises and CEOs chase profit at any cost, Canada's unions are delivering real results. Together, we've secured wins that benefit all workers: national dental care, a path to pharmacare, and $10-a-day child care. When we organize, we don't just win better contracts and safer workplaces – we raise the bar for everyone. And we’re not stopping there. Right now, rents are rising faster than wages. Only two in five people can access employment insurance when they need it. Governments are spending less on care than they did 15 years ago. Meanwhile, poverty is rising, especially for seniors, Indigenous and racialized communities, and people with disabilities. Unemployment is the highest it’s been since 2016. Families are being forced to choose between groceries, gas, and rent. These aren’t natural outcomes. They are the result of political decisions, but they can be changed. Canada’s unions are fighting for bold solutions, such as public investment in affordable housing, universal public services like pharmacare, good, sustainable union jobs in every community, and a revamped, inclusive EI system. We’ll keep organizing, bargaining, and pushing every level of government until we get the respect we deserve. Across the country, workers are rising up and fighting back. From Starbucks baristas to warehouse workers, from tech start-ups to our public services, people are standing up and saying: enough is enough. Young workers are organizing. Retirees are staying engaged. Unions are modernizing, building digital networks, strengthening community alliances, and reaching new members with bold, unapologetic campaigns. Our movement is over three million strong and growing every day. The truth is simple: when workers are empowered, communities thrive. That’s our message, this Labour Day and every day. We’re not just celebrating past victories. We’re building for the future. At a time when Trump’s trade war is destabilizing global supply chains and putting Canadian jobs at risk, we can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. Too many politicians claim to stand with us, then cut public services, ignore the housing crisis, and hand out tax breaks to the wealthy. But we won’t let them get away with it. This Labour Day, we're sending a clear message: when workers stand together, we don't just make Canada strong – we deliver progress for everyone. That's what we celebrate, and that's what drives us forward. Jenn MacPherson is president of the Nanaimo, Duncan and District Labour Council.
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