Is Labour Day A Public Holiday In Canada?
Labour Day 2022 in Canada is a public holiday for the general population and usually falls at the end of the Summer Holidays. This means that almost every school, college, university, academic institution, educational establishment, bank, post office, business etc. remain closed. Since this day falls during the last weeks of Summer Holidays, this day is usually observed as a holiday. Moreover, several public transportations services follow a normal routine except for minor disruptions due to street processions and parades carried out in Toronto and congestion on highways.
Labor Day History In Canada
Labour Day History in Canada can be traced back to the year 1872 when the first and foremost demonstration for workers’ rights was carried out in the form of a strike in Toronto. In this, workers and labourers demonstrated against a nine-hours-a-day workday and better working conditions. The motto behind this demonstration was to get all twenty-four leading figures of the Toronto Typographical Union who led the demonstration free from the imprisonment. They were behind the bars due to the fact that trade unions were considered illegal and any kind of strike was seen as a conspiracy.
This garnered major public support, and with this, mass demonstrations, public parades etc, were seen being carried out. Due to immense public attention, even the authorities couldn’t deny the major role trade unions played in maintaining the financial flow and development of emerging societies in Canada. After a few months, public parades were being organized in Ottawa, with one of them passing by the house of Sir John Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada. Analysing its impact and the massive support this issue is garnering, he appeared in front of the general masses and promised to revoke all Canadian Laws against Trade Unions.
With this, the Canadian Labour Congress was founded in 1883 and worked for the betterment of the labour and working class. Working conditions subsequently improved, and the efforts put by Trade Unions fructified. Following this, Labour Day was declared an official holiday in Canada by Prime Minister John Thompson on 23 July 1894/
Labour Day Celebrations In Canada
Traditionally, several parades and processions marking the true essence of the day and celebrating workers’ rights were carried out on the occasion of Labour Day. Trade Unions used to organize picnics for people to get together and make the most of this day. Eventually, some Canadians started observing this day as an opportunity to go on a family trip or rest and enjoy the fireworks, public art events, and fairs being organized in various parts of the country. Since this day falls before the colleges and schools re-opens, students and college-goers make the most of this opportunity and plan a trip or party. Several Labour Day Classic football matches are broadcasted on the television on this occasion with rivals like Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers etc. play on Labour Day weekend.
One of the oldest traditions still followed in Canada is avoiding wearing the colour White after Labour Day. the Labour Day Parade is still organized in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland to this day, with celebrations stretching up to three consecutive days.
Labour Day Observances
Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Mon | 2 September | Labour Day | National Holiday |
2020 | Mon | 7 September | Labour Day | National Holiday |
2021 | Mon | 6 September | Labour Day | National Holiday |
2022 | Mon | 5 September | Labour Day | National Holiday |
2023 | Mon | 4 September | Labour Day | National Holiday |
2024 | Mon | 2 September | Labour Day | National Holiday |
2025 | Mon | 1 September | Labour Day | National Holiday |
FAQs
1. Since when Labour Day is considered a holiday in Canada?
Labour Day is observed as a holiday since 23 July 1894 in Canada.
2. Is Labour Day a bank holiday in Canada?
Labour Day is considered as a statutory holiday in Canada. This means banks and post offices remain closed on this day.
Labour Day Celebrations In Other Countries
From the above information, it is evident that Labour Day 2022 in Canada is observed on September 5, Monday with great enthusiasm.
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