Mr. Speaker, last night I was honoured to join labour leaders and trade union activists from across the country to cut the ribbon on a new exhibit at the National Museum of Civilization.
The exhibit is a full size accurate reproduction of room 10 of the old Winnipeg Labour Temple at the time of the 1919 Winnipeg general strike. This was the actual room where strike leaders like J. S. Woodsworth and R. B. Russell encouraged working people of Winnipeg to rise up and demand their rights, even at great personal risk.
Before the strike was over many were injured. Some were killed and the labour leaders were thrown in jail for sedition, but prison bars cannot contain ideas. Because of their spirit and courage they achieved things like the right to organize, the right to free collective bargaining, the right to a living wage and the eight hour day.
I encourage all members and all Canadians to visit this wonderful exhibit and to learn for themselves the contribution the labour movement has made to our quality of life.