Save the Date: Injured Workers’ Day

On June 1 every year, injured and ill workers, advocates, and labour activists gather in cities across the province to mark Injured Workers’ Day. We rally on this day to celebrate the gains made through united action, raise current concerns, and remind governments we cannot be ignored.

Injured Workers’ day commemorates June 1, 1983, when over three thousand injured workers descended on Queen’s Park and forced a government committee looking at major changes to Ontario’s workers’ compensation system to conduct a public hearing on the steps of the Legislature.

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List of Injured Workers’ Day Events:

May 27th: 

Toronto: Book Launch for “Who Killed Sir William” • 7pm • United Steelworkers Hall • 25 Cecil Street 

Two of the most dedicated injured worker activists in Ontario – Marion Endicott and Steve Mantis – have written a book about the history of workers compensation and the importance of community-based research. The event is presented in partnership with The Workers’ History Project, and will feature the authors, as well as a talk about the history of Injured Workers’ Day. 

May 30th

Thunder Bay: City Hall • 10am 

Thunder Bay’s Injured Workers’ Day event involves a flag raising and proclamation at City Hall, which must take place on a weekday. So they will be kicking off a steady stream of IW day events on the Friday. 

May 31st:

Virtual: Injured Workers’ Vigil 

For many years prior to the pandemic, members of the Women of Inspiration Injured Workers’ Group would sleep overnight at Queen’s park in the lead up to Injured Workers’ Day to fight for Universal Coverage of all workplaces that was cultural event featuring songs, poems, and stories. 

The event is returning this year online, and you can attend on Zoom at this link: https://tinyurl.com/InjuredWorkerVigil2025

Or by visiting zoom.us, clicking Meet, then Join A Meeting, and entering Meeting ID: 851 6454 1405 and Passcode: 870102.

You can also call in by dialing 855 703 8985 and using the same Meeting ID and passcode. 

June 1st – Injured Workers Day Events

London:
Victoria Park
From: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm • Northwest Corner 

Peterborough:
Millennium Park
From: 12:Noon • North end of the pathway

Toronto:
Queen’s Park, 111 Wellesley St W, Toronto, ON M7A 1A2 (map) • 11am •

Windsor: Corner of Ouellette & Tecumseh • 11am • At the flagpole