May 1st, 2024
NDP statement on International Workers' Day
Canada’s NDP leader Jagmeet Singh issued the following statement:
“On this May Day, as Canadians rally across the country to recognize and celebrate workers, we honour the legacy of those who have fought tirelessly for workers’ rights. Because of their courage and solidarity, their struggles provided Canadians with guarantees like a minimum wage, access to pensions and employment security.
But we know that the fight isn’t over.
New Democrats continue the critical work to uphold workers’ rights in Canada—their right to fight for fair wages, better working conditions and safer workspaces.
While Conservatives like Danielle Smith and Pierre Poilievre want to cut-and-gut Canadian workers’ hard-earned Canada Pension Plan, New Democrats fought back by introducing legislation to protect retirees and workers’ pensions. We won’t let them take away your pensions.
Without the NDP and the relentless work of labour unions across the country, the Liberals would have never introduced anti-scab legislation. We will have to fight back against Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives attempt to water it down and delay its implementation. In his career, he voted eight times against anti-scab legislation and his track record shows that he is on the side of big bosses. New Democrats fight for workers, not the rich and powerful.
It is clear to see who cares about workers and who doesn’t. Both the Liberals and the Conservatives are too well connected to the corporate bosses.
New Democrats will continue to deliver a measure to lower costs for workers, like dental care, free diabetes medications, free contraceptives, and measures to help them afford a place to call home.
On this May Day, New Democrats stand with workers. And we renew our commitment to continue to fight and deliver results for a better future for all workers.”