Government must not break their promise and leave Canadians paying sky-high drug costs

Government must not break their promise and leave Canadians paying sky-high drug costs

Canada’s unions are troubled about the government’s decision late today, to reverse course on changes to patented drug regulations, potentially forcing Canadian families to pay billions more for needed medicines. “We are calling on the government: don’t break your promise to Canadians. We can’t count on big pharmaceutical corporations to stand up for Canadians, that’s the job of our governments,”…

Statement by Bea Bruske

Earlier today, following a National Truth and Reconciliation Day event hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress, the Congress’ Indigenous Workers Vice-President, Gloria Lepine, and her sister, Linda Wilson, were verbally assaulted and Linda was physically assaulted, by strangers who took offence to their speaking about reconciliation and justice for Indigenous Peoples. A police report has been filed with the Winnipeg Police Service. I am outraged…

CLC Statement on the fatal crane collapse in Kelowna, BC

Today we learned that five people lost their lives, and more were injured due to the tragic crane collapse in Kelowna, BC. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) extends its deepest condolences to the families, coworkers and friends of those people who didn’t return from work, as well as to those who suffered injuries and trauma as a result of this…

Federal government announces positive changes to drug pricing regulations

Canada’s unions applaud today’s announcement by the federal government of new measures updating Canada’s drug-pricing regulations. “Many life-saving medicines are unaffordable. This new framework will better protect Canadians from skyrocketing drug prices by lowering the cost of brand name medicines,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff. “This is a good step towards a universal public pharmacare program in Canada.” Canada currently…

Federal government must protect workers following export ban

Canada’s unions are calling on the federal government to ensure Canadian workers are protected from job and income loss following China’s recent ban on Canadian beef and pork exports. The ban was imposed after Chinese customs inspectors detected a prohibited feed additive in a batch of pork shipments labelled as Canadian. The Canada Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the…

Canada’s unions call federal budget bill a boon for workers

Canada’s unions welcome measures in Monday’s federal budget implementation act that provide important progress for working people, including plans to achieve pay equity, provide paid domestic violence leave, protect workers during contract retendering, and otherwise elevate Canada’s labour standards. Introducing a new Pay Equity Act will bring in long-awaited legislation requiring federally-regulated employers to create proactive pay equity plans that…

Canada’s unions applaud asbestos ban regulations

Canada’s unions applaud the federal government for introducing regulations to ban the import, export, manufacture, sale and use of asbestos and asbestos-containing products. The regulations, announced in December 2016 will come into force on December 30, 2018. “This is a critical step on the long road to banning asbestos, and will, without a doubt, save lives for generations to come,”…

Government must enact viable solutions to end child labour

On Monday, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) tabled the report “A Call to Action: Ending the Use of All Forms of Child Labour in Supply Chains.” This report follows the Subcommittee on International Human Rights’ (SDIR) study on Child Labour and Modern Day Slavery. “The inexcusable use of child labour and slavery in the operations…

CLC President receives honorary doctorate from Ryerson University

CLC President Hassan Yussuff received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (honoris causa) from Ryerson University on Thursday in Toronto. “I’m grateful and I’m humbled to receive an honorary degree from this important institution,” said Yussuff in his Convocation address to graduates from Ryerson’s Ted Rogers School of Management and the Yeates School of Graduate Studies. Shortly after immigrating from Guyana,…

Decent work a priority for Canada’s unions

October 7th is the World Day for Decent Work and this year’s global theme is “Change the Rules.”  Around the world and here in Canada, unions mark the Day for Decent Work by organising, campaigning and advocating for improved working conditions for all workers. The Canadian Labour Congress is conducting campaigns calling on the federal government to address key issues…