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Vimy Ridge Day in Canada

Vimy Ridge Day is an annual observance on April 9 to remember Canadians who victoriously fought in the battle of Vimy Ridge in northern France during the First World War. The day is also known as the National Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/vimy-ridge-day

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The Battle of Vimy Ridge – Fast Facts

  • The assault on Vimy Ridge, the northern part of the wider battle of Arras, began at 5:30 am on Easter Monday, April 9, 1917.
  • It was the first occasion on which all four divisions of the Canadian Corps attacked as a composite formation.
  • The Canadian achievement in capturing Vimy Ridge owed its success to a range of technical and tactical innovations, very powerful artillery preparation, sound and meticulous planning and thorough preparation.
  • At Vimy, the Canadian Corps and the British XVII Corps on their immediate southern flank had captured more ground, more prisoners and more guns than any previous British Expeditionary Force offensive.
  • Vimy Ridge was a particularly important tactical feature. Its capture by the Canadians was essential to the advances by the British Third Army to the south and of exceptional importance to checking the German attacks in the area in 1918.
  • The Canadians had demonstrated they were one of the outstanding formations on the Western Front and masters of offensive warfare.
  • Four Victoria Crosses (VC) were awarded for bravery. Of these, three were earned on the opening day of the battle:
    • Private William Milne of the 16th Battalion.
    • Lance-Sergeant Ellis Sifton of the 18th Battalion.
    • Private John Pattison of the 50th Battalion (April 10).
    • Captain Thain MacDowell of the 38th Battalion. MacDowell had also earned the Distinguished Service Order on the Somme. Of the four Vimy VCs, only Captain MacDowell survived the War.
  • The Canadian success at Vimy demonstrated that no position was invulnerable to a meticulously planned and conducted assault. This success had a profound effect on Allied planning.
  • Though the victory at Vimy came swiftly, it did not come without cost. There were 3,598 dead out of 10,602 Canadian casualties.
  • After Vimy, the Canadian Corps went from one success to another, to be crowned by their achievements in the 1918 “advance to victory”. This record won for Canada a separate signature on the Versailles Peace Treaty ending the War.

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UNIFOR COVID-19 Update

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Reference:

Unifor National – Keeping you informed through the crisis

Thousands of workers facing layoff have had questions over the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Our team has followed every government announcement and has summarized everything you need to know into this CERB Frequently Asked Questions document. Please read and understand it, and share the information.

Many members may be experiencing fear, anxiety, and strong emotional responses related to the impacts of COVID-19. We have assembled dedicated mental health resources to help members cope during these difficult times.

Be sure to visit www.unifor.org/covid-19 for regular updated materials and other resources.

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1996-O Members

UNIFOR local 1996-O recognizes our incredible Sisters and Brothers who keep the network up and running!

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In Solidarity,

 

Lee, Sanjay, Brian, Chris

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Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate, wishing your families a safe holiday

Easter Flyer

 

In Solidarity,

1996-O Executive,  1996-O Equity Committee

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Unifor celebrates World Health Day and Year of the Nurse

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Unifor celebrates health care workers on April 7, 2020 for World Health Day, recognizing the special sacrifices these workers are making right now as they fight on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Workers in health care professions face incredible challenges with bravery and determination on a daily basis, and never in our lifetimes has that bravery been more evident,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Thank you, on World Health Day, and every day to Unifor nurses and health care workers, and all health workers across the country.”

World Health Day is led by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an annual day of recognition to those working in health care. This year, it is also part of a larger campaign to recognize nurses and midwives: The Year of the Nurse. Unifor represents more than 25,000 workers in health care, many of whom are Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs).

“As a nurse, it has meant the world to me to work with my union to help provincial and federal governments better understand the needs of today’s care teams, and in particular, the struggles we face in regions where public health funding is inadequate or faces cutbacks,” said Katha Fortier, Assistant to the National President. “Nurses are the heart, soul, muscle and grit in our health care system and we owe them a deep gratitude for their tireless work, especially right now.”

Now, more than ever, Canadians depend on the care nurses provide and recognize the risks they face on a daily basis.

“As Canada grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is particularly important to protect and value nurses who will be on the front lines to combat the spread of this virus and treat those who fall ill,” said Fortier.

Show your gratitude by sharing World Health Day graphics.

More information about the Year of the Nurse and World Health Day can be found on the WHO website.