We mark this Labour Day amid relentless attacks on workplace rights underscoring how a strong labour movement is the only hope for a better future.
The public services our communities rely on are being purposefully crushed by cuts and chronic underfunding – the predictable crisis used as an excuse to pave the way for privatization. Rights that generations fought for are being systematically eroded by a government looking to dismantle decades of progress no matter the cost.
We see the fallout every day: in our public hospitals, where a system built on equitable access to care when and where you need it is sold off to line the pockets of private interests and hallway medicine becomes parking lot medicine; in our education system where cuts have left public schools crumbling, class sizes soaring, and education workers under-resourced; in Northern Ontario, where government inaction and poor planning have led to another devastating fire season that left entire First Nations communities displaced.
Trade wars are being used as an excuse and distraction from the decimation of workforces in Ontario – with thousands of job losses not only in our community colleges, but across manufacturing as well.
Workers, whether unionized or non-union, are paying the price and that is why we are fighting back.
Because if we don’t, soon we won’t recognize our Ontario.
Together we can say no to cuts that hurt our communities, local economies, and families.
Together we can fight for public services that lift us all up and investments that help Ontario’s economy transition in a way that will set this province up for a better future.
OPSEU/SEFPO is committed to that fight.
We are coordinating our efforts across sectors to demand better so that frontline workers and the people they support will no longer fall through the cracks. We are using the power of our One Big Union to raise the floor across sectors, shine lights on underfunding, and hold this government to account. Thousands of community and social service workers have spent this summer on picket lines fighting for better and making gains.
Solidarity in action is needed now more than ever. Governments and employers want us divided, because we are weaker when we fight one another. As organized working people, we have the responsibility to use every resource at our disposal to come together to fight back.
We will show our strength and build a movement with the determination and resolve to fight for a future where all workers, families, and communities can thrive. A future built on equity, strong public services, renewable energy, and good union jobs that lift people out of poverty instead of leaving them behind.
This Labour Day, we commit to that future and the fights that will get us there.
Labour Day Events
Join a labour day action near you!
OPSEU/SEFPO Region 5 will be at the Toronto Labour Day parade! Come out and show your union solidarity.
- Monday, September 7th
- Location: Queen St. W & University Ave (halfway to York Street)
- Registration: 7:30am; Parade: 9:30am
The Ontario Federation of Labour has a full list of events happening all around the province!
Events are listed below and can be found on their event page here, the list is updated every day so keep an eye out for your town!
Brantford & District Labour Council
September 07, 2026; Registration starts at 8:00 a.m. and race starts at 9:00 a.m., Elgin between Stanley Street and Rawdon Street, Brantford, ON, N3S 6H7
Durham Regional Labour Council
September 07, 2026 11:00 AM, Parkdale Community Centre, 119 Birch Street, Belleville, ON K8P 4J5 CA
Guelph & District Labour Council
September 07, 2026 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Red Pavilion at Riverside Park, 707 Woolwich Street, Guelph, ON N1H 8E9
Hamilton & District Labour Council
September 07, 2026 Parade from Bay & Stuart starts at 10:30 AM Picnic at Bayfront Park starts at 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, Hamilton, ON L8P 4S4
Kingston & District Labour Council
September 07, 2026 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM, McBurney Park (Skeleton Park), 30 Alma Street, Kingston, ON K7K 1J2
Lindsay & District Labour Council
September 06, 2026 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Memorial Park, 367 Lindsay Street S, Lindsay, ON K9V 2N2
London & District Labour Council
September 07, 2026 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, East Lions Park, 1731 Churchill Avenue, London, ON N5W 5P4
North Bay & District Labour Council
September 07, 2026 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Kiwanis Bandshell, 37 Memorial Drive, North Bay, ON P1B 4G6
Ottawa & District Labour Council
September 07, 2026 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, McNabb Park, 435 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1R 6J6
Peel Regional Labour Council
September 06, 2026 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Gage Park, 45 Main Street S, Brampton, ON L6Y 1M9
Peterborough & District Labour Council
September 07, 2026 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, Nicholls Oval Park, 725 Amour Road, Peterborough, ON K9H 2A1
Sudbury & District Labour Council
September 07, 2026 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Sensory Quiet Hour at 10:00 AM, then followed by BBQ at 11:00 AM, 66 Brady Street, Sudbury, ON P3E 1C8
Thunder Bay & District Labour Council
September 07, 2026 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Current River Park, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4S3
Toronto & York Region Labour Council
September 07, 2026 9:00 AM, University Ave & Armoury Street, 361 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M7A 1V4
Windsor & District Labour Council
September 07, 2026 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Lanspeary Park, 1260 Langlois Ave at Ottawa Street, Windsor, ON N8X 4L6