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This is your labour movement, powered by over 1 million workers and 54 unions.
Today, we recognize and honour the leadership of Jagmeet Singh, a principled, relentless voice for Canada’s workers.
As Leader of the Federal NDP, Jagmeet Singh never wavered in his commitment to building a country where working people didn’t just survive, they thrive. From championing dental care to advancing the Pharmacare Act (Bill C-64), pushing through anti-scab legislation, and walking the picket line with workers, Jagmeet showed up.
He held those in power to account when they failed working people or turned a blind eye to oppression here at home and internationally. In moments of crisis – from a global pandemic to the affordability crisis to trade threats, Jagmeet has been a voice workers could count on. Jagmeet proved his solidarity isn’t just a word. It’s a practice. A commitment. Especially when other elected leaders saw it as an inconvenience.
At the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), we’ve had the honour of working alongside Jagmeet over the last decade at both the provincial and federal levels. He’s encouraged us in times of uncertainty to keep organizing and keep believing that a better country for working people is not just possible, but that the NDP is in the fight with us.
This may mark the end of his time as party leader, but it’s nowhere near the end of his fight. Jagmeet was an activist long before Parliament, and we know he’ll continue to join workers shoulder to shoulder on picket lines, and on the ground in our communities.
Thank you, Jagmeet, for your courage, your clarity, and your unwavering belief in the power of working people. The labour movement is stronger because of you.
COPE 343
The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) mourns the devastating and horrific attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day Filipino community street festival in Vancouver. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the 11 people killed, and to the entire Filipino community in Ontario, across Canada, and around the world.
What was meant to be a joyful celebration of culture, resistance, and community became one of the darkest days in Vancouver’s history.
This tragedy is not an isolated event. Similar horrors have struck communities across Canada before. Each one is a painful reminder of what happens when public services and public health care, including mental health supports are gutted.
We join the Filipino community’s call for a full and transparent investigation. The community deserves answers. They deserve accountability. They deserve justice. This tragedy also reinforces the urgent need to invest in publicly funded, publicly delivered mental health services, services that are accessible, culturally safe, and grounded in the realities of the communities they’re meant to support.
We need real, preventative solutions. Mental health services must be accessible before tragedy strikes and strong enough to support grieving families and communities when it does.
We will continue to listen and amplify the Filipino community’s calls and keep fighting for the public services that protect lives before it’s too late.
In grief and in solidarity,
Ontario Federation of Labour
Cope343
Today, on the National Day of Mourning, we gather in solitude, in grief, and in solidarity to remember every worker who has been killed, injured, or made ill on the job. We honour their memory and join families, coworkers, and communities left carrying the weight of this loss.
At the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), we refuse to let the deaths and suffering of workers be met with silence. We demand accountability, not only for past tragedies, but for the workers who continue to face unsafe, hazardous conditions every day.
This year marks the 21st anniversary of the Westray Law, intended to hold employers criminally responsible for workplace deaths caused by negligence. Yet the law remains underused. That’s why the OFL’s 15-year “Kill a Worker, Go to Jail” campaign calls for criminal investigations into every workplace death. Accountability is not optional, and justice delayed is justice denied.
In 2023, more than 1,000 workers in Canada lost their lives due to their unsafe job. Over 274,000 more were injured or became ill, and many more cases remain unreported. This is a crisis. Every worker deserves to come home safe. Every workplace must be free from preventable harm.
We call on all levels of government to take urgent action to protect workers by:
April 28 is a day of remembrance, but also of recommitment. At the OFL, we will not stop fighting for a future where no worker dies on the job. We will continue to hold employers and governments accountable, until every workplace is safe, and every worker is protected.
COPE 343
What’s at stake for workers if the Federal Conservatives win this election?
Lower wages, unstable jobs, and weaker unions.
Download the full information sheet to post in your workplace here. (Print double-sided on 8.5 x 14 paper.)
Directly after becoming the Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC), Pierre Poilievre’s 2023 Policy Declaration launched aggressive attacks on workers’ rights by proposing US-style anti-worker legislation here in Canada.
These attacks will not be defeated by strongly worded statements, a single union or a handful of activists.
Defending our movement, our members and indeed our charter rights must be a top priority of the labour movement.
As a Federation, together with our affiliates we must organize to push back on the anti-worker plans of the Conservatives or any other political party or leader who seeks to attack workers and their unions!
The Threat: Right-to-Work (RTW) Legislation
RTW Legislation would be an Act put into place that could:
Why RTW is Anti-Worker?
How will RTW weaken unions?
How real is this risk?
Union-busting refers to any attempt to stop workers from organizing or joining a union to protect their rights at work, typically done by an employer however, in 2020, Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP) under Jason Kenny passed union busting legislation.
This law aims to weaken unions by restricting their funding. It requires them to obtain written consent each year from all dues-payers to deduct fees for any ‘non-core’ activities, such as social or political advocacy.
Fairness and Transparency? We’ve Got That Covered
In short, unions are grassroots organizations led by workers, for workers. Union members or workers protected by a collective agreement should think about what a CPC government led by Pierre Poilievre would do to their paycheques. The time for action is NOW! Together, we can defeat the Conservative attack on workers, and their unions.
April 28 is the labour movement’s most solemn day. It is a time to honour every worker who has been killed, injured, or made ill on the job. In Ontario and across the country, workers, families, and unions gather to remember those we’ve lost and to recommit to the fight for safe and healthy workplaces.
As we mourn the dead, we fight for the living.
Find a Day of Mourning event near you. For a full list of events across Canada, visit the Canadian Labour Congress at https://canadianlabour.ca/events/day-of-mourning-ceremonies-2025/.
Cornwall District Labour Council
City of Cornwall – Injured Workers’ Memorial, Lamoureux Park
April 27, 2025; 11:00 am
Contact: Louise Lanctôt, President
Lindsay and District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony: Victory Park Lindsay
April 27, 2025; 1:00pm
Contact: Susan Sainsbury, [email protected]
Sudbury & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony: Laurentian University, Fraser Auditorium
April 28, 2025; 9:30 a.m.
Contact: Jessica Montgomery, [email protected]
Sault Ste Marie & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony: Grand Gardens, 68 Dennis St., Sault Ste. Marie
Monday, April 28, 2025; 10:00 a.m.
Contact: Michelle McLeave, 705-941-8589
Peel Regional Labour Council
Flower City Community Campus, Milestones of Labour Monument
8850 McLaughlin Rd S #1, Brampton
April 28, 2025; 10:00 a.m.
Contact: Ram Selvarajah, President, [email protected]
Durham Regional Labour Council
Memorial service
April 28, 2025; 11:00 a.m.
City of Oshawa – 50 Centre St. S., Oshawa
Reception to follow at the Art Resource Centre, 45 Queen St., Oshawa.
Speeches will be given, flowers to be laid at wreath, bagpipe player will perform with light reception to follow.
Waterloo Regional Labour Council
Worker’s Memorial Monument at Waterloo City Hall
100 Regina Street South, Waterloo
April 28, 2025; 10:30 a.m.
Contact: Mike Miller, President, [email protected]
Website: https://waterloolabour.ca/events/day-of-mourning-2025/
Grey Bruce Labour Council
Events in two locations
1) Chesley Community Centre Arena
129 4th Ave SE, Chesley
April 25, 2025; 10:30 a.m.
Contact: Chris Stephen, [email protected]
2) Hanover Heritage Square
358 10th Street, Hanover
April 28, 2025; 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Hazel Pratt, [email protected]
Timmins & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
McIntyre Community Centre – 85 McIntyre Rd, Timmins
April 28, 2025; 10:30 a.m.
Contact: JP Desilets, 705-274-3400
Stratford & District Labour Council
Ceremony
Monday, April 28, 2025; 10:30 a.m.
Day of Mourning Monument – Upper Queen’s Park Stratford
Contact: [email protected]
Peterborough & District Labour Council
2025 Day of Mourning Ceremony
Peterborough City Hall (outside by the flagpole), 500 George Street North
April 28, 2025; 10:45 a.m.
Contact: Marcia Steeves, President, [email protected]
Website: https://peterboroughlabour.ca/events/
Kingston District Labour Council
Memorial Ceremony
Mc Burney Park Irish cross site
April 28, 2025; 10:45 a.m.
Union flags welcome
North Simcoe Muskoka & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony – Tudhope Park, 450 Atherley Rd, Orillia
April 28, 2025; 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Mike DeRose, [email protected]
Toronto and York Region Labour Council
April 28, 2025
11:00 a.m.
The Woodbridge Memorial Arena, 5020 Highway 7, Woodbridge
12:00 p.m.
Larry Sefton Park, 500 Bay Street, Toronto
Contact: Jennifer Huang, [email protected]
Website: Events – Toronto and York Region Labour Council
Orangeville & District Labour Council
Workers Monument at Orangeville Town Hall
87 Broadway Orangeville
April 27, 2025; 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Sania Wadalia, President, [email protected]
Ottawa District Labour Council
CLC Monument
Vincent Massey Park
April 28, 2025; 12:30 p.m.
Huron & District Labour Council
Ceremony
Sunday, April 27, 2025; 1:00 p.m.
Across from Huron Historic Gaol
Contact: [email protected]
Guelph and District Labour Council
Ceremony
Sunday, April 27, 2025; 1:00 p.m.
Goldie Mill Park, 75 Cardigan St., Guelph
Contact: [email protected]
Northumberland District Labour Council
Lucas Point Park, 94 Willmott St., Cobourg
April 28, 2025; 4:15 p.m.
Contact: Dan Tobin, President, [email protected]
Website (if available): Events – Northumberland Labour Council
Windsor and District Labour Council
Ceremony at Coventry Gardens Monument of the Injured Worker
4714 Riverside Dr. E.
Sunday, April 27, 2025; 2:00 p.m.
Contact: [email protected]
North Bay & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
200 McIntyre St E, North Bay
April 28, 2025; 4:30 pm
Contact: Crystalynn Bos, [email protected]
Oakville & District Labour Council
Centennial Square
120 Navy Street, Oakville
April 28, 2025; 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Mark Stupple, Financial Secretary [email protected]
Barrie and District Labour Council
Barrie City Hall
70 Collier Street, Barrie
April 28, 2025; 3:45 p.m.
Contact: Anne Marie Brunner, president [email protected]
Thunder Bay & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony – 130 Brodie St. N
April 28, 2025; 5:00 p.m.
Contact: Carlos Santander-Maturana – [email protected]
Hamilton & District Labour Council
Hamilton City Hall
71 Main St W, Hamilton
April 28, 2025; 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Anthony Marco, President [email protected]
Leeds and Grenville Labour Council
Ceremony is at the Brockville Museum
5 Henry Street, Brockville
April 27, 2025; 1:00 p.m.
The Labour Council is also holding a Day of Mourning Poster Contest.
Contact: [email protected]
Brantford & District Labour Council
Lorne Park, 15 Colborne Street West, Brantford
April 28, 2025; 5:00 pm
Contact: Roxanne Bond, 519- 209-2154, [email protected]
Niagara Regional Labour Council
Contact: [email protected]
(Multiple events)
April 28, 2025
St. Catharines
7:30 a.m.
Welland Canal Workers’ Monument
Lock 3 on the Welland Canal Parkway- west side of of the Canal
St. Catharines
8:00 a.m.
Monument dedicated to Four Fallen Workers
Under the St. Catharines Skyway
Welland Canal Parkway – west side of the canal, under the bridge
Niagara-on-the-Lake
9:15 a.m.
Monument located at Centennial Arena
1557 Four Mile Creek Rd., in Virgil
Niagara Falls
10:30 a.m.
Monument located at Niagara Falls City Hall
4310 Queen St.
Fort Erie
11:45 a.m.
Monument located at Fort Erie City Hall
1 Municipal Centre Dr., along Highway 3
Port Colborne
1:00 p.m.
Monument located in H.H. Knoll Park on sugarloaf St., beside the hospital
Welland
2:00 pm
Monument located beside the canal in Merritt Park
151 King St.
Port Robinson
3:00 p.m.
In Memory of Robyn Lafleur
Esquire Canada explosion site (1999)
125 South St. N.
St. Catharines
4:00 p.m.
Monument located at St. Catharines City Hall
50 Church St.
Niagara Region
5:15 p.m.
Monument located at the Region of Niagara Headquarters
1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way
