Labour Day celebrated at Canada Games Plaza

Hundreds of Prince George residents were at Canada Games Plaza to celebrate Labour Day at an event hosted by the North Central Labour Council on Monday.

For the third year the local council held a parade and celebration to honour the workers in the community.

Mayor Lyn Hall opened the event with a rousing speech that recognized the hard work those in the community do every day.

Sharing the stage with Hall was councilors Garth Frizzell, Murry Krause, Terri McConnachie, Frank Everitt and Brian Skakun.

“I want to say thank you to all the working women and men throughout our city whether they be union or non-union employees,” Hall said.

“If you work in small business, big business, mom-and-pop store or are a large employer – thank you very much.”

Hall went on to say thanks to the more than 700 city workers and the 1,500 School District 57 staff, while acknowledging the rest of the workers in the community.

“Thank you to all the workers in the city – you build the fabric of this community and we couldn’t be prouder of what you do,” Hall said.

Heard throughout the mayor’s speech was the faint call of ‘here, here’ in response to some of Hall’s talking points.

“What’s really encouraging for me is that they do a Labour Day parade here,” Aaron Ekman, secretary-treasurer of the B.C. Federation of Labour and resident of Prince George, said.

He said they don’t even do that in Vancouver.

“The labour council has done a wonderful job organizing the event and the community comes out to support it,” Ekman added.

“It’s important to remember the interior is really the lifeblood of the economy of the province.”

The event saw unions hosting information booths throughout the Canada Games Plaza with free hot dogs and treats being offered to those in attendance.

There was face painting and a bouncy castle with slide set up for the children.

“This is an opportunity for all unions to come together – for all labour to come together – and celebrate our achievements from throughout the year and give back a little bit to the community,” said Don Iwaskow of the North Central Labour Council.

“It’s been a great day.”

CITIZEN PHOTO BY CHRISTINE HINZMANN Mayor Lyn Hall offers a few words of gratitude to those who live and work in Prince George during the North Central Labour Council Labour Day celebration held Monday at Canada Games Plaza. Joining him on stage were councilors Garth Frizzell, Murry Krause and Terri McConnachie, along with Matt Baker, chair of the organizing committee of the event, Coun. Frank Everitt, Don Iwaskow of the North Central Labour Council and Coun. Brian Skakun.