The Sudbury and District Labour Council held its annual Labour Day celebration at the Morel Family Foundation Park on Second Avenue. The festivities featured a solidarity march, games, entertainment, food vendors and information booths. The day began with an inclusive sensory-friendly pre-event. Below, Jessica Montgomery, president of the Sudbury and District Labour Council, takes time to answer 10 questions from The Star related to labour issues.
Q: What does the labour council do?
A: We have a long and proud history of fighting for the rights of all working people. We hold monthly meetings with delegates from the various unions/locals who are affiliated with us. We also provide a link to community organizations and run campaigns, such as Tampon Tuesday, to support agencies in Sudbury. Workers in unions are an important part of the local community and economy because that’s where they spend their paycheques.
Q: Why is there still a need, in 2022, to advocate for workers?
A: Fighting for workers rights today is as important, if not more so, than it’s ever been. Workers took a hard hit during the pandemic, especially front-line workers. Inflation is rising faster than wages. Occupational health and safety protections took second place or became almost non-existent in workplaces over the last couple of years. Violence and harassment are increasing in many workplaces, especially those in the public sector, including health care and education. We work hard to support those workers fighting for a living wage, and healthier and safer workplaces.
Q: Can you talk about the current labour landscape in Northern Ontario?
A: Bill 124 has had a great impact on those in Northern Ontario. Food prices are going up, and more so for those in northern Ontario because of the further distances to transport. Regarding long-term care, the government is passing a bill that may force seniors to go to a facility hundreds of kilometres away from their homes and families.
Q: How is it changing?
A: We’re transitioning from resource extraction jobs to more service-based jobs, most of which only pay minimum wage.
Q: Which sectors/fields will be the most popular moving forward? For those contemplating post-secondary education, where do you advise they put their focus?
A: – Tech jobs that build and feed the green economy.
– Programs that support the above-mentioned industries.
– Get Laurentian University to reinstate its labour studies program.
Q: Your bio indicates you specialize in occupational stress injuries and mental health. Can you talk about the role mental wellness plays in the professional environment?
A: Mental health in the workplace is a prevalent topic of discussion. Employers supporting their employees’ mental health has shifted from ‘doing the nice thing’ to a requirement under the Ontario Human Rights Code and The Duty to Accommodate. Creating workplace wellness programs is not only being proactive but it also creates a thriving and productive environment. Mental health, along with our physical health, is an essential component to an individual’s overall health. Workplace wellness needs to be a priority in all workplaces, whether they are unionized or not. We know that when a workplace is unsafe, stressful or unhealthy that both the employer and employee are impacted, and that everyone benefits from healthy workplace.
Q: How should employers respond to the need to promote mental health and wellness at work?
A: There is a legislated requirement for employers to protect the mental and physical health of their employees. The best way to achieve a healthy and safe workplace is to create and implement a comprehensive workplace health and safety program that includes and promotes mental health and wellness. Employers can also offer employee assistance programs. Employers can offer educational components about recognizing the signs and symptoms of stress and depression in themselves and team members.
Q: What did COVID teach us about the nature of work? What are the major take-aways from the pandemic?
A: Working from home – you can be just as, or even more, productive working at home. Because people aren’t travelling, there’s a gentler impact on the environment, and with workers commuting less, they are able to spend more quality time at home rather than commuting.
The government continues to put the needs of the corporate class ahead of those of workers Had employers followed the SARS recommendations, there wouldn’t have been anywhere near as many outbreaks and deaths as we’ve experienced.
Q: What are the most pressing issues that still need to be addressed in Canada?
A: Jobs, economy and the environment.
– Better pay and benefits.
– Workplace health and safety.
– Trade and international affairs.
– Retirement security.
– Social justice and democracy.
– Gender equality.
– Ending discrimination.
Q: Why is it important to celebrate Labour Day?
A: Labour Day is a day to celebrate the accomplishments of the labour movement and the benefits of having a union at work. Along with unionized workers, we invite all members of the community, including community advocacy groups, to join in our event. It gives all an opportunity to bring their families to a fun-filled day while the weather is still nice and before children go back to school.
TORONTO – Strength in the base metal and technology sectors helped Canada’s main stock index gain almost 100 points on Friday, while U.S. stock markets also climbed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 93.51 points at 23,568.65.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 297.01 points at 41,393.78. The S&P 500 index was up 30.26 points at 5,626.02, while the Nasdaq composite was up 114.30 points at 17,683.98.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.61 cents US compared with 73.58 cents US on Thursday.
The October crude oil contract was down 32 cents at US$68.65 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was down five cents at US$2.31 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$30.10 at US$2,610.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents US$4.24 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, rose 0.4 per cent to $82.7 billion in July.
The increase came as sales in the miscellaneous subsector gained three per cent to reach $10.5 billion in July, helped by strength in the agriculture supplies industry group, which rose 9.2 per cent.
The food, beverage and tobacco subsector added 1.7 per cent to total $15 billion in July.
The personal and household goods subsector fell 2.5 per cent to $12.1 billion.
In volume terms, overall wholesale sales rose 0.5 per cent in July.
Statistics Canada started including oilseed and grain as well as the petroleum and petroleum products subsector as part of wholesale trade last year, but is excluding the data from monthly analysis until there is enough historical data.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 150 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in the base metal and energy sectors, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 172.18 points at 23,383.35.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 34.99 points at 40,826.72. The S&P 500 index was up 10.56 points at 5,564.69, while the Nasdaq composite was up 74.84 points at 17,470.37.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.55 cents US compared with 73.59 cents US on Wednesday.
The October crude oil contract was up $2.00 at US$69.31 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up five cents at US$2.32 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$40.00 at US$2,582.40 an ounce and the December copper contract was up six cents at US$4.20 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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