BLOG THIS | blog.thismagazine.ca: August 2008 Archives

It's Friday afternoon and around our office, we're all thinking about the upcoming long weekend. Labour Day, for many Canadians, is just another day off, the end of the summer, a chance to sleep in one last time before school starts up again (and for the clubbier set, the last chance to wear white without being laughed out of the Yacht Club). But while you relax next holiday Monday — those of you who actually get the day off, and that certainly isn't everyone — spare a thought for the Toronto workers who fought for reasonable working hours in the late 19th century, and whose actions led to the holiday we now enjoy.

For those not already up to speed on the origin story, here's the short version: The declaration of Labour Day as a major holiday in Canada followed decades of agitating by union organizers demanding that work weeks top out at 54 hours. In Spring 1872, the Toronto Printers' Union went on strike, demanding that the working day be set at nine hours per day. When George Brown, the proprietor of The Globe (which later became The Globe and Mail), tried to charge the union with conspiracy, it turned out that, according to Canadian law at the time, union activity was, in fact, illegal, and 24 organizers were arrested. On June 14, 1872, John. A. MacDonald's government passed the Trade Union Act, legalizing union work. The celebration of that strike became an annual event, and in 1894, Labour Day was made an official holiday in Canada. The Americans soon followed suit, and it became a global phenomenon.

For the full history, this Canadian Encyclopedia article offers much more.

More entries on: Labour

August 28, 2008

Watch Obama speech with Democrats Abroad

Posted by Graham F. Scott at 11:31 AM ET | Comments (3)

Democrats Abroad logo It's fair to say Barack Obama's acceptance speech tonight at the Democratic National Convention in Denver will be a historic one. It's the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech, and the venue has been moved to a local football stadium to accommodate 75,000 spectators. You don't want to watch history unfold at home alone on your couch, do you? Democrats Abroad Canada is hosting parties across the country for people to watch the acceptance speech together tonight. Here's a list of public venues where Democrats Abroad Canada is hosting viewing parties, and here's contact information for all the chapters if you want to find out what's going on in your city.

"Since we're all working to get Obama elected," DAC spokesperson Roger King tole me this morning, "it's always good to gather together and watch it and get inspired." The Dems Abroad will also be offering voter registration for Democrats living in Canada, and is accepting donations — but only if you're an American citizen. Canadians, you'll just have to donate a round of drinks to your new Yankee friends.

See the full video of the "I have a dream" speech after the jump.

More entries on: American Politricks

August 27, 2008

Mr. Layton goes to Denver (updated)

Posted by Graham F. Scott at 02:44 PM ET | Comments (0)

A press release came in this afternoon saying that NDP leader Jack Layton is spending three days at the Democratic National Convention in Denver to talk to the Dems' labour caucus, among others, and see if he can shake some important hands. Now, the NDP's electoral standing in Canada isn't exactly on par with the U.S. Democrats, and Layton isn't pulling Obama-level numbers himself (we've been over that already). However, Obama and Layton share one thing, which is that the United Steelworkers of America endorsed them both at its annual convention in Las Vegas in July. The Steelworkers' position is: Obama for President, Layton for Prime Minister.

I talked with Layton's press secretary this afternoon, who explained just what Layton is hoping to get from his Denver trip. His comments are after the jump:

"Mr. Layton has an interest in finding out more about the campaign. It's had quite a lot of attention here in Canada and we do share a lot of the same values and messaging [of] hope for working families here in Canada.
Back when Naftagate happened, We wrote to Senator Obama and Senator Clinton calling on them to stand together with us in order to favour reopening of Nafta. That's the kind of dialogue that we hope to keep going with the Democrats."

I'll update this post if I hear back from the Liberals and Conservatives. Do they have operatives in Denver, officially or un-? Or are they too busy playing electoral chicken?

UPDATE: The Conservatives tell me they have four people working the floor at the DNC. Director of Communications Ryan Sparrow says they have no specific aim, just that "Canada-U.S. relations are always important."

More entries on: American Politricks | Economics | Labour

Previous month: July 2008
Next month: September 2008

THIS MAGAZINE. BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS POLITICAL

Please note that all writers hold the copyright for their pieces and it is illegal for any portion of them to be copied or distributed without their expressed permission. So please don't steal.

THIS MAGAZINE: BECAUSE EVERTHING IS POLITICAL

August 29, 2008

Keep the "Labour" in "Labour Day"

August 28, 2008

Watch Obama speech with Democrats Abroad

August 27, 2008

Mr. Layton goes to Denver (updated)