September 1, 2025
Community

Labour Day in Canada: More Than a Long Weekend

For many, Labour Day marks the unofficial end of summer. But its roots go far deeper.

𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮: 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱

For many, Labour Day marks the unofficial end of summer. But its roots go far deeper.

Labour Day in Canada traces back to the 1870s, when the labour movement pushed for fair wages, safer workplaces, and—most famously—the eight-hour workday. In 1872, Toronto’s printers went on strike demanding shorter hours. Their efforts, and the marches that followed, laid the foundation for Canada’s first official Labour Day in 1894.

It’s a reminder that many workplace standards we take for granted—like weekends, regulated hours, and safer job sites—came from collective action and determination.

Today, Labour Day is a chance to reflect on the contributions of workers across every industry who keep our communities moving forward. Happy Labour Day!