International Workers’ Day: Two days of events begin Friday

Concerns were voiced as unions, community and student groups assembled in Victoria Square in Montreal for International Workers' Day.

Activities surrounding International Workers’ Day will take place over two days in Quebec, on Friday and Saturday, under the theme “Rights trampled; we must resist.”

Unions, as well as community and student groups, will participate in various activities.

Regional events will take place on Friday, May 1, and the Quebec rally is scheduled for Saturday in Montreal at 1 p.m. Participants will gather at the foot of Mount Royal on Parc Avenue.

Luc Vachon, president of union group the Centrale des syndicats démocratiques (CSD), said many struggles remain to be fought regarding occupational health and safety, wealth redistribution, pay equity, and a living wage, among other issues, although some argue that the main union struggles have already been fought and won.

International Workers’ Day began as a workers’ demonstration in Chicago in 1886, which escalated into a clash with the police. Since then, every May 1, workers have gathered to voice their demands and express their solidarity.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 1, 2026.

Lia Lévesque, The Canadian Press