Canada has recognized Labour Day as a statutory public holiday since 1894. The commemoration of the day, which emerged from the labour movement, was originally meant to promote working-class solidarity and celebrate the hard-won rights of workers.
These celebrations most often occurred as parades. Pictured above is a group of longshoremen posing in front of their Labour Day parade float on Hastings Street in Vancouver, ca. 1900.
North Vancouverites Alfred and Thomas Nye are pictured amongst the men.
Labour Day parades fell out of fashion in the 1950s as people began to use the holiday for leisure and relaxation.
Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to plan your visit to MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards.
Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver, at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley, is open by appointment only. Contact: [email protected]
Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.
