The Kingston and District Labour Council held its annual parade and picnic on Labour Day, as speakers called for greater support for workers amid concerns over tariffs, education funding, and community support.
Hundreds of people attended the picnic, which featured food, activities, and speeches from local representatives, including Ted Hsu.
The MPP for Kingston and the Islands addressed the crowd at McBurney Park about the challenges Ontarians face amid looming tariffs.
“I think we’re in a bit of a crisis situation right now… There are people who are losing their jobs right now because of the tariff war,” said Hsu.
Hsu called on the provincial government to help prevent further job losses among workers.
“If we want to fight a war, we have to be united. People who are not so affected by the tariffs, we have to share the burden of those who are losing their jobs today, and the provincial government has a responsibility to work on this,” Hsu continued.
Lisa Lacaria, provincial first vice-president of Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association, echoed Hsu’s call for unity while speaking to picnic attendees.
She called on the provincial government, specifically Doug Ford, to address what she described as cuts and underfunding in Ontario’s education system.
“We will continue to stand together, we will continue to speak out, and we will continue to fight for workers, for students, for public services, and for a better future for all,” said Lacaria.
“Our students always come first, but dedication from teachers alone cannot make up for the years of cuts and underfunding by this Ford government.”
Lacaria said Ontario schools have faced what she described as $6.5 billion in cumulative funding cuts since 2018.
“We are fighting for our members, but we are also fighting for our students, our schools, and our communities. We are standing up to the Ford government and saying, Ontario’s children deserve better,” Lacaria continued.
John DiPaolo, president of the United Way Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington, also spoke about the need for support in the Kingston community.
Since the Labour Day celebration, United Way KFL&A has announced a fundraising target of $4.25 million for the year’s campaign, a lofty goal, DiPaolo said, driven by the community’s needs.
“We’re about to launch our annual fundraising campaign later on this week. And we’re going to have a very ambitious goal that we have to set this year. And we’re not doing this because we want to set an ambitious goal; we’re doing this because there’s the need in our community,” said DiPaolo.
“When we see true progress, it’s when we work together, and we respect each other and respect each other’s beliefs, and that’s where we can come together and realize that everybody should have the opportunity to thrive.”
Janet Haymen, president of the Kingston and District Labour Council, said that while there is a clear need for improvement, she was pleased to see people take the opportunity to celebrate.
“I’m impressed, and I’m glad that people come out and spend the day and just take a break and, you know, celebrate,” said Haymen.
