Remarks to the CLC
Vancouver was host to the national convention of the Canadian Labour Congress in May, 2011. The following are remarks brought from the labour community in the lower mainland to welcome participants to our city.
Good morning Sisters and Brothers. Welcome to Vancouver!
There are three labour councils in the greater Metro Vancouver area,and we join together today to welcome you here. (Present with Joey were Sister Lori Mayhew, presiden of the New Westminster & District Labour Council and Brother Brian Harder is president of the Fraser Valley Labour Council).
We have full days ahead, as we work together to decide the priorities for the CLC over the next 3 years.
You all know the old adage that “You need to know where you come from -- to know where you are going.”
So I hope you will take the opportunity to learn some of Vancouver’s rich labour history while you are here.
There are some historical plaques around the railings outside the new convention centre next door. Several describe our labour heritage.
For example, there’s the On-to-Ottawa Trek of 1935 that began on the railway tracks you can see just east of here. 76 years ago this June, over 1,000 young unemployed men climbed atop train box cars to take their demands for work and wages to Ottawa.
Imagine it – perched on the roofs of train cars mile after mile, exposed to the elements and with the engine steam and the soot coming back on them.
Yet momentum grew and by the time they reached Regina, they were 3,000 strong…
But the Trek was halted in Regina on orders from Prime Minister “Iron Heel” Bennett and crushed by a violent police attack on Dominion Day 1935.
Another example of labour history is just a few short blocks up Burrard Street.
The Marine Building is one of Canada’s most magnificent art deco buildings. It was built for $2 ½ Million in 1929 -- just before the stock market crashed. Its beauty – both outside and the public foyer -- is a credit to the skilled union craftsmen who built it.
And the Sinclair Centre up the street. It was the main post office in 1937 – and as a symbol of the state -- was occupied for a full month by protestors who were desperate for a decent life during the depths of the depression.
Their sit-down was broken by police with tear gas, clubs and wire whips.
These stories provide a long view of the labour movement.
They remind us that – no matter how hard our struggle – we’ve faced difficult times before ……
And while there is an ebb and flow, we have beaten the odds.
We all know the challenges ahead, but we can take strength from knowing that our solidarity can create great progressive change.
The labour movement offers the most cohesive structure to support the changes we need. And do we ever need change.
With the most right wing government in decades has a majority in Ottawa, the debates on Canada’s future will be clearly defined by the NDP as the official opposition.
And that’s why this convention is so important –bringing together trade union leaders and activists from every reach of Canada to plan a positive course over the next three years.
Have a great convention everyone!