Celebrating labour in the shadow of a tariff war

Heather Wright/The Independent Union members flooded Sarnia's downtown for the annual Labour Day Parade. The Sarnia and District Labour Council hosted the 124th Labour Day Parade. The council represents 27 union affiliates with over 8,500. It took more than an hour for union members to make their way down Front St. To Centennial Park Sept. 7. This year's celebration is in the shadow of the tariff war with the US. Canada will impose counter-tariffs on the US Sept. 8. In a news release, the president of the Canadian Labour Congress says Canada's unions are calling for stronger Employment Insurance with easier access, increased benefits, and support for workers directly and indirectly affected by the trade war with the US. Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress says 'There will be real costs and disruption. Workers cannot be left to shoulder those costs and risks alone.' Protecting workers and communities through the disruption also means maintaining the public services people rely on and ensuring government support for companies protects Canadian jobs and production, Bruske added. 'Economic uncertainty cannot be used as an excuse to weaken workers' rights.' In Sarnia, hundreds of union members walked through the downtown proudly waving the union banners. Parker Phillips of Sarnia was watching for her Uncle Steve, a member of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers. The members of Local 128 of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers walked the parade route with their families. A Boilermaker carries his child down the parade round during the Sarnia Labour Day Parade Sept. 7, 2026. Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey shakes the hand of a member of Local 95 of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Sept. 7, 2026. Candace Young, the president of the Sarnia and District Labour Council marches Sept. 7, 2026 with her OPSEU colleague during the annual Labour Day Parade. Members of LiUNA Local 1089 walk in the Sarnia Labour Day Parade Sept. 7, 2026. A sea of LiUNA Local 1089 colour during the Sarnia Labour Day Parade Sept. 7, 2026. Millie Wellbelove and her dad, Daniel, watch the Sarnia Labour Day Parade Sept. 7, 2026. Family members of the Millwright Local 1592 were tossing out candy to kids watching the Sarnia Labour Day Parade Sept. 7, 2026. The Sarnia Legion Pipe Band and the Legion Colour Guard led the annual Sarnia Labour Day Parade Sept. 7, 2026. The Forest Legion Pipe Band in the sunshine during the Sarnia Labour Day Parade Sept. 7, 2026. Members of UA Local 663 greet family and friends along Front St. during the Sarnia Lambton Labour Day Parade, Sept. 7, 2026. United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 1256 show the flag during the Sarnia-Lambton Labour Day Parade, Sept. 7, 2026.