Article content continued

A section of highway 19 was dedicated to the Comox Valley labour leader in 1996 under direction of Glen Clark and the ruling NDP party of the day, but the signage was removed in 2001 when the liberals came into office.

“The rights that we have today were not given to us. They were hard fought, and the people that came before us, governments, leaders, working people fought tirelessly to make sure we have the benefits and the rights that we experience in this great province today,” said Horgan.

Horgan said he hoped people will get out and vote in the October referendum on proportional representation.

“For too long the first-past-the-post system has allowed less than a majority of the public to have too much of the power. I think that’s wrong, you think that’s wrong and that’s why we have to change it.”

Lorene Oikawa, a provincial government employee in the ministry of social development and poverty reduction, came out to the event with friends.

“This event is a recognition that what makes this country strong is its workers, who often get left out of the story of who created this country and built this province.”

Oikawa said she was thrilled to see Horgan out at the event.

“It’s amazing to see him out here recognizing workers.”

Unions are especially important for young workers, said Oikawa, who may not know their rights, or their employers’ responsibilities. “Find out what the rules are, what training you need, what protective equipment you may need, and what your employer is doing to teach you about safety.”

dryan@postmedia.com