Video: Ask a Mac Expert – Does Labour Day mean anything in the 21st century?
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Labour Day in Canada means football games, barbeques and the end of the last long-
weekend of the summer.
For many people, however, Labour Day is more than just a good opportunity to close the
cottage: it's a celebration of the labour movement and a reminder that, in many places, the
struggle for workers' rights remains difficult.
With fewer people working in traditional industry, though, does Labour Day continue to
hold any significance for Canadians beyond marking the end of the summer?
According to Wayne Lewchuk, professor of labour studies, the answer is yes. He says that,
although the day itself has evolved somewhat from its origins, its fundamental meaning
remains the same.
"In Canada, Labour Day has come to be recognized as the end of summer," said Lewchuk.
"But there are still marches, and there will still be hundreds of people in attendance in all
major cities. It remains a day to celebrate labour."
Lewchuk does recognize, however, that participation in Labour Day celebrations, even in
cities with historically strong ties to industry, such as Hamilton, is not what it used to be.
"Is everyone involved in it? Does it have the same spirit it had 100 years ago? Probably not
- but it remains a very important day for the labour movement nonetheless, and in some
places participation is actually growing."
He also argues that there are a number of parallels between the origins of Labour Day and
the handling of labour protests at the recent G20 summit in Toronto.
Lewchuk discusses these and other aspects of Labour Day in the videos below.
The origins of Labour Day:
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Labour Day's relevance in the 21st century:
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Labour Day at home and abroad:
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