Today is Labour Day in Canada. Banks, post offices, government offices, schools, and many businesses across the country are closed today.

Celebrated annually on the first Monday in September, Labour Day is essentially the same holiday as Labor Day in the U.S. — a day to honor working people.

If you’re in the greater Toronto area this week, you might remember Labour Day by planning a visit to the Workers’ Arts and Heritage Centre in Hamilton, a small museum dedicated to “preserving, honouring, and promoting the culture & history of all working people.”

Their new exhibit, Harvest Pilgrims, featuring photographs of Canadian migrant farmworkers by Vincenzo Pietropaolo, opens this Friday, September 11.

In the meantime, let’s take the day off, shall we?

Happy Labo(u)r Day!

Photo ©Carolyn B. Heller