National Indigenous Peoples Day

This coming Saturday (June 21) is a day of great spiritual, cultural and political significance for the First Peoples of Canada.

It is the day of the summer solstice, a time to celebrate and give thanks for the bounty and beauty of this time of year and for having survived another winter. For many nations, it was a time to leave the interior and head to summer areas closer to water, where they often would meet up with relations they had not seen since the last gathering time.

June 21 is also a day for all communities to honour the Indigenous Peoples of Canada and their lands on which this country was built, a time to acknowledge and respect Indigenous and Treaty rights. Sadly, those rights appear to be forgotten in the current discourse over fast-tracking development in the interests of spurring Canadian economic development.

Indigenous Peoples will not accept such a disrespecting of their rights, nor should any citizen of Canada. The fight to protect land and culture began with the arrival of the Europeans. It will continue, no matter how inconvenient that might be for politicians trying to make haste.

Latest posts

Canadian Labour Congress Convention 2026

On May 11-15, 2026, members of COPE Ontario joined thousands of delegates from across Canada at the 31st Canadian Labour Congress Convention (CLC) in Winnipeg.

This was a chance to show the power of workers coming together and to work towards building a better future - one that protects Canadian workers and jobs.

Speakers at the convention included CLC President Bea Bruske who spoke to the challenges of unemployment, tariffs and wealth disparity within the workforce.

“Canadian workers are being squeezed from every direction,” said Bruske. “Donald Trump’s trade war is putting jobs and industries at risk. Austerity and cuts to public services are weakening the supports workers and families rely on. At the same time, employers are using automation, AI, and algorithms to increase insecurity and weaken protections on the job. Workers are standing together to fight back".

COPE Ontario is so proud of it's members who represented us at the convention!

Charlie Angus speaks at COPE Ontario's 2026 AGM

COPE Ontario hosted their Annual General Meeting on May 2-3, 2026, bringing together members from across the province. A highlight of the meeting was this powerful speech from former NDP MP Charlie Angus, now a leading voice in the resistance movement and host of a popular podcast.

Angus delivered a passionate call for Canadian unity in the face of rising authoritarianism south of the border, urging members to recognize the historic significance of Canada's collective economic boycott of the United States. A movement largely overlooked by mainstream media, Angus argued it represents a defining moment for Canadians, and one that labour must lead.

National Day of Mourning

Today (April 28) is National Day of Mourning, a solemn day where we remember the many workers killed or injured on the job.

Every year, more than 1,000 die because of workplace injury and illness.

But we also remember the countless others who live with the scars — mental and physical — of unhealthy workplaces.

As is becoming ever clearer, the workplace can impact the mind and soul of a worker, and frequently on-the-job stressors are brought home and impact family life.

Employees have a right to a workplace that's safe in every way — physically and psychologically.

Let's keep that right top of mind on this very special day.