I’ve been taking a break from writing to work on a couple of climate-related coding projects (more on that soon).
But I can’t resist sharing some photos from yesterday’s Toronto Labour Day Parade, which my wife and I attended, and which was awesome. Toronto had a lot going on this weekend (including the Canadian National Expo, a busking festival, and an air show), but this was the highlight for me.
Let’s start with the electricians: the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 353. (‘Ontario’s Future is Electric’)
IBEW 50 had lots of swagger (note the Hawaiian shirts). They obviously know the future is bright for them.
And here’s a video of their reggae band…
Next up was the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators Local 95 (‘Save Money, Save Energy, Save The Environment’). They looked tough.
And here’s UA Local 46 of The Plumbers and Steamfitters.
And the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 50:
Three unions had bagpipe bands in the parade: The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA Locals 183 and 506), the Toronto Fire Fighters (IAFF Local 3888), and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113. Here’s a video of the LiUNA pipe band:
LiUNA was hugely represented, with several trucks and lots of marchers:
Here’s the Ironworkers Local 721:
And the Boilermakers (Local 128):
Here’s the Central Ontario Building Trades Hammer Heads crew:
The Sprinkler Fitters (Local 853):
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters was there, with Locals 27 and 675:
And the International Union of Operating Engineers (Local 793), who operate cranes and other heavy equipment:
I could go on with many more photos, but you get the idea. These are the men and women who build our world and will build our (hopefully electrified) future.
These are the people who are willing to show up on a day off and fight for the little guy, the normal average person who works hard despite increasingly being commoditized. And who are willing to stand up to bike-lane-hating, fossil-fuel-loving politicians like Ontario’s Doug Ford.
In a city of contrasts like Toronto – with a downtown seemingly dripping with money and rich people – I found this parade really inspiring.
Hope you had a great Labor/Labour Day weekend, and have a great back-to-school and Fall.