September, 2007

Labour Day Celebrations Unite the Regions,
PSAC Defends Quality Public Services for All

British Columbia

Photo: PSAC British Columbia

PSAC members all over the Province, coordinated by their Area Councils, spent the summer letting the public and politicians know the value of quality public services. They staged events in their communities, met with the public and distributed fans and leaflets bearing the “Public Services Are Cool” message. Labour Day was a highlight. PSAC staff and members blitzed Labour Day picnics in Victoria and Burnaby, pitching the “Public Services are Cool” campaign to throngs of picnickers. Pamphlets, fans and balloons emblazoned with the message “public services work for me” were hot items.

Prairies

Photo: PSAC Prairies

PSAC members were among the nearly 5,000 people who attended the BBQ put on by the Edmonton District Labour Council for the unemployed and under-employed from Edmonton’s inner city. Rising rents and low vacancy rates in Edmonton are making life increasingly difficult for the city’s unemployed and working poor – people who particularly depend on accessible public services. PSAC members had an opportunity to talk with people about the need to defend public services and encourage them to let their Members of Parliament know how they feel about the issue. Balloons and temporary tattoos were a hit with kids of all ages. The weather cooperated and successful events were also held in Saskatoon and Prince Albert where about 400 showed up for smokies and hotdogs.

Ontario

Photo: PSAC Ontario

Many Labour Day events were held across Ontario. The traditional Labour Day parade in Toronto saw more than 100 PSAC members decked out in green “Defending Quality Public Services” T-shirts trailing clouds of green DQPS balloons behind them down Queen Street. Picnics followed parades in both Hamilton and Kingston. Picnics and BBQs were also the order of the day in Cornwall, Trenton, Kitchener-Waterloo and London.

National Capital Region

A chartered bus decked out with “Defending Quality Public Services” banners featured prominently at the Labour Day celebrations sponsored by the Ottawa and District Labour Council. A march that began at Ottawa City Hall ended with a picnic at McNabb Park where PSAC members and staff handed out fans to picnickers.

Quebec

Photo: PSAC Quebec

While Labour Day is celebrated on May 1 in Quebec, discussions on the priorities of the labour movement were the topic of discussion at the end of August. About 50 PSAC members joined the 5000 activists from the movement Quebec Social Forum who met in Montreal August 23-26 to network and open dialogue on a number of key topics including Defending Quality Public Services.

North

Photo: PSAC North

Defending Quality Public Service fans were featured at PSAC booths at the Labour Day BBQ in Whitehorse’s Rotary Park. Great weather attended the event where almost 2000 hotdogs and hamburgers were served.

Atlantic

Photo: PSAC Atlantic

PSAC members were well represented at the PEI Federation of Labour’s 7th Annual Labour Day Corn Boil and Barbeque. Approximately 200 people, representing various unions as well as members of the public came to Victoria Park in Charlottetown to celebrate Labour Day. Great food, entertainment and games and prizes were on hand for the children. Pinwheels were used push our Defending Quality Public Services campaign.