• Stories
  • Local Union Histories
  • Resources
  • Timeline
  • Activities
  • Map

TYRLC 150 years

October 25 is the 25th anniversary of the most remarkable political mobilization in Toronto’s history.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Metro Days of Action – 25 Years Later

When We Walked on Sunshine – Passing the Torch to a New Generation of Activists

On October 25, 2021, we celebrated “When we walked on sunshine” with music, words, and inspiration, including:

  • Video greetings from MDA co-chairs Linda Torney and Margaret Hancock
  • A discussion on the lessons for today:
    • Panel moderator – John Cartwright, former Labour Council president
    • Karen Brown, Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario
    • Vicky Smallman, Canadian Labour Congress
    • Ilian Burbano, Community activist and SEIU staff
    • Bill Howes, Chief Marshal for Metro Days of Action

Watch the event below.


This historic event saw people from all walks of life taking action to protest the drastic policies being imposed by the Harris Conservative government. It was a remarkable expression of social solidarity – union members and community activists uniting, standing up for the poor, for vital public services and for the quality of life of every Ontario resident. On Friday, October 25, the city was virtually shut down, and the next day nearly a quarter million marched on Queens Park to demand justice and fairness for all.  

As we take on the Ford Conservatives today, we can learn the lessons of that history – how people found the courage to challenge their own employers, the courts, and the government.

Please circulate this info to your members, particularly those who were part of that amazing effort, and your upcoming activists. And if you haven’t seen the music video Resistance in Concert, you will definitely enjoy the performances of great musicians and the spirit of hundreds of thousands of people in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEoDbB-QpSI&t=614s


To download the full pdf version of the Walking on Sunshine article featured in Labour Action, click on the image below or here.


Read the Metro Days of Action by Linda Tourney by clicking here or the image below.

More story posts about Climate Justice Economic Jusitce Education Political Action Racial Justice Social Justice Solidarity
Prev post
Next post
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Proudly supported by

AMAPCEOpng
ATU, Local 113png
ufcw 175 633png
Carpenters & Allied Workers, Local 27png
CUPE, Local 416png
CUPE, Local 79png
CUPW, Torontopng
IATSE, Local 873png
IBEW, Local 353png
LiUNA! Local 183png
OECTA, York Regionpng
SEIU Healthcarepng
Toronto Firefighters, Local 3888png
UA, Local 46png
liuna local 506png
uswpng
toronto education workerspng
the societypng

Get updates when new content is added

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Resources
  • Upcoming events
  • Follow us on Youtube
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Facebook

A Toronto and York Region Labour Council website Contact us

Built by Campaign Gears

Initial logo design by Samantha Pollock