This Labour Day, the Canadian Jewish Labour Committee (CJLC) celebrates the victories of Canadian workers and honours the important legacy of Jewish workers in Canada’s labour movement.

Many Jewish immigrants arrived in Canada as refugees and newcomers, finding work in factories and the garment trades under difficult conditions and often facing discrimination. Jewish Canadians also faced discriminatory barriers and quotas that restricted access to universities, hospitals, and professions such as medicine. Where doors were closed to them, Jewish communities built new ones, creating their own hospitals, social services, mutual-aid organizations, and other institutions to meet the needs of workers, refugees, newcomers, and their families. Many of these institutions would go on to serve the broader Canadian community.

Jewish workers became labour organizers, union leaders, and advocates, joining struggles for better wages, safer workplaces, reasonable working hours, and dignity on the job.

Their activism was rooted in a long tradition of strengthening communities. Alongside workers from many backgrounds, they helped shape Canada’s labour movement and advance workplace rights we continue to defend today.

This Labour Day, the CJLC honours the generations of Jewish workers who have fought for a stronger labour movement, and recommits to standing with Jewish workers today. At a time of rising Jew-hatred and growing uncertainty, we will continue to speak up, stand together, and ensure Jewish workers know they are not alone.

The CJLC Team