Mayor Ainlay I wish to congratulate the labour unions in again issuing the Labour Annual. It is especially valuable at this time that labour take stock and survey in detail the position of labour in a changing world. Probably never before has there been such confusion of thoughts on this continent. Much of this confusion is due to the fear of the unknown. This has been true all down through the ages. There is so much talk today of recession or a depression that too many of our people seem to regard such conditions as inevitable.
Depressions are not due to any act of God but are the result of lack of foresight and planning on the part of our leaders. Certainly a laisse faire attitude will carry us again into a period of unemployment and unemployment relief. We must all set our faces against any such conditions. Canada is a great country of vast areas and resources and at the same time a small population. Whatever excuses there may be for want in other countries not so blessed certainly does not apply to ours. A great responsibility rests on organized labour in Canada. It is a power today in the country and with that power comes a great degree of responsibility. Labour must assist in keeping the economics of the country on an even keel, for labour is always the first to suffer when a shipwreck occurs. To accomplish the aims of labour, labour of all types should be organized. This applies to all who have to earn their living by selling their labour. This unity of labour will give strength and stability to the labour movement. It would then not be necessary for labour to throw its weight around but meet the employers on an equality so that the benefit of the whole community can be recognized. The dignity of labour can thus be maintained. Labour must keep this respect or there is a grave danger of a re-actionary movement taking place. The labour relations with employers in Edmonton have long been good and as a result the claims of labour have generally been recognized. It is only by all parts of the community recognizing the contribution it can make that our city will become the place in which we are all proud to make our homes. I wish for your Annual and labour everywhere, the very best in the future. Harry D. Ainlay, Mayor
[From Labour Annual ca. 1947]
Harry Ainlay served as mayor of Edmonton from 1945 to 1949.
An active member of the Alberta Teachers Alliance and former Labour Party city councillor, he had deep roots within the city's labour movement but his leadership of the city was such that those who lived through that period always regarded the period of his mayor-ship as one of the best in the city's history.
My book Protest and Progress contains much information on this person.
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