The day before the school starts, on a Monday, we celebrate Labour Day in Canada. It is one good way to end summer.
The Labour Party throws a festivity the whole afternoon at Trout Lake. It is a gathering of people mostly working for the government in a unionized environment like me. We invited the family of the workers as well. The more the merrier, the more we can educate people to work in a fair, safe and equitable working situation.
I could hear from the distance the live band was playing Blues and Jazz. Rows and rows of colourful tents are becoming visible as I arrive Trout Lake.
The first thing I noticed was a couple of older folks gyrating to the live rock music on a hot sunny day. They must be the alumni and a die-hard union couple.
Dancing couple
One can help but enjoy the festivity starting from eating the union staple food: hotdogs and buttered corn. Family brought their children and dogs, adults blowing bubbles, green headed clown doing his balloon tricks, take as much buttons if you want to put on your shirt and hats; and much more.
Who would think that there is a labour strife looming in the horizon when we are having so much fun?
People are wearing their best union shirts to show off their solidarity. The best one is a shirt of Jack Layton, a remarkable man who led the National Democratic Party. This was a man full of wisdom and a great leader. We will miss him.
The whole the afternoon was pure entertainment for me and I was good in avoiding talking shop. In the meantime, people were staring at my shirt and not saying a word. I wonder if I was wearing the food on my shirt, ketchup, a good symbol of unionized condiment.
I left the party and the couple was still dancing to the tune of “Together Again.”
When I came home, I immediately checked my shirt to see if there were stains. I realized the logo on my shirt is the symbol of Jerusalem Cross, symbol of my faith.
Jerusalem Cross
What a Happy Labour Day.
Inspired by TK Morin of Bite Size Canada.
Photographs and Memories 