The impetus behind Grind, 2001 was to raise awareness on Provincial Bill 147: the Harris government’s legislation that increased the maximum number of hours in the workweek to 60.

Other changes to the Employment Standards Act will make it very difficult to qualify for overtime pay and employers can now schedule work 12 days in a row. This is an alarming trend towards deregulation: no overtime pay, no weekends, less guidelines for employers and no protection for workers.

Grind 2001 featured international artists Terrence Parker and A Guy Called Gerald. Local artists included djs Serious, Kola John Kumahara Mike K, Dopey, Sircut Breaker with live performances by Bag of Trix, Nish Rawks, D-Sisive, Cryptik Souls and Lal.