Media advisory – Celebration Honours Rideau Canal Workers

OTTAWA, Aug. 29 – The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and its Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) component have been instrumental in organizing a tribute to the 6,000 workers who built the Rideau Canal.

Timed to coincide with the Labour Day weekend, the event focuses on the contribution made by the workers who made the Canal a reality. Over 4,000 workers were injured on the job and 1,000 died as a result of injury or malaria. The event brings to a close the celebration of the Canal’s 175th anniversary. Activities are scheduled from noon until 8:00 p.m. with a formal ceremony during the afternoon. There will be theatre, dance and music, ending with a fireworks display. The formal ceremony will include presentations by PSAC and UCTE officials and representatives from Parks Canada, as well as a performance by the Parks Canada Players. The Irish Society of Kingston will dedicate a Celtic Cross to the memory of the workers during the ceremony.

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Directions:

From Ottawa (approximately 100 minutes):

Follow Highway 417 (Queensway) west to Highway 416. Follow Highway 416 south and exit at Roger Stevens / Smiths Falls/ North Gower. Turn right at the stop to go through North Gower, then stay on Roger Stevens until you get to Smiths Falls. In Smiths Falls, follow directions for Highway 15. Follow Highway 15 south until you reach Jones Falls Road. Turn right right onto Jones Falls Road and follow it until you reach the Lockstation.

From Kingston (approximately 30 minutes):
Follow Highway 401 east to Highway 15. Take Highway 15 north, following directions towards Smiths Falls. Just north of the town of Morton, turn left onto Jones Falls Road and follow it until you reach the Lockstation.

For further information: Ed Cashman, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President (National Capital Region), cell.: (613) 297-1924