Labour Day 2021

Since 1999, the Saskatoon & District Labour Council (SDLC) has organized a community BBQ (free-of-charge) to recognize Labour Day.  Typically, we cook and serve 2500 hamburgers, 1500 hotdogs, 2000 bananas, and juice boxes.  Many affiliated unions set up booths and provide swag, treats, balloons, Fish pond for children, and live musical entertainment during the BBQ.  Naturally due to the implications of COVID, we were unable to host our traditional BBQ in 2020 and 2021.  It is important to the SDLC that we continue to profile Labour Day, celebrating community spirit by giving back to our community in a different way.

Since 1999, the Saskatoon & District Labour Council (SDLC) has organized a community BBQ (free-of-charge) to recognize Labour Day.  Typically, we cook and serve 2500 hamburgers, 1500 hotdogs, 2000 bananas, and juice boxes.  Many affiliated unions set up booths and provide swag, treats, balloons, Fish pond for children, and live musical entertainment during the BBQ.  Naturally due to the implications of COVID, we were unable to host our traditional BBQ in 2020 and 2021.  It is important to the SDLC that we continue to profile Labour Day, celebrating community spirit by giving back to our community in a different way.

In light of this, the SDLC executive and membership passed a motion to provide 8 local agencies with a monetary donation.  The amount was determined by adding the dollar amount SDLC spends on the BBQ, as well as the donations received from our affiliated unions.  We know that many agencies are struggling due to the COVID challenges, and we hope that this gift will assist in a small way. The SDLC appreciates the continued efforts of these and other agencies in providing necessary programs and services to assist the most vulnerable during this unprecedented time. 

Don MacDonald (SDLC President) and Andrea Howe (Director, Labour Partnerships & Community Impact) delivered these donations to the following:  STR8UP, Prairie Harm Reduction, Chokecherry Studios, Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op, White Buffalo Youth Lodge, Crocus Co-op, HOPE Restored, and International Women of Saskatoon. 

Labour Day is about recognizing the contributions of workers to society, and the contributions of unions to the well-being of our communities and country.