A message from Hassan Yussuff on Unifor’s decision to disaffiliate from the CLC

A message from Hassan Yussuff on Unifor’s decision to disaffiliate from the CLC

I was deeply disappointed by today’s news that Unifor has decided to disaffiliate from the Canadian Labour Congress. This evening the CLC held an emergency meeting of our Canadian Council, the CLC’s highest decision-making body between conventions. At this meeting, our affiliates reaffirmed their unanimous support for the CLC and a strong labour movement. In turn, I stressed that as…

Unions welcome announcement on federal human rights ombudsperson

Canada’s unions are welcoming the federal government’s announcement that it will appoint an ombudsperson to ensure Canadian corporations respect their human rights obligations abroad. The new position, formally titled the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), was announced today by François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade. The ombudsperson will be mandated to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by Canadian mining, energy, and…

Unions herald crucial victory for part-time college workers in Ontario

The CLC is congratulating thousands of part-time Ontario college workers and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) on an historic victory in the struggle to improve the lives of precarious workers. In what has been the largest organizing drive in Canada’s history, more than 4,000 part-time Ontario college support staff cast their ballots last year. But an 18-month legal…

Canada’s unions call on more communities to join sanctuary movement

Canada’s unions are highlighting International Migrant Day by renewing their call for communities to join the sanctuary movement. “We’ve been working with communities from across the country in support of the sanctuary movement,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff. “We believe that Canada should be a safe place for everyone; sanctuary municipalities help ensure migrants find welcoming spaces wherever they arrive,”…

Canada’s unions say they hope finance ministers are fixing CPP inequities

Canada’s unions say they are encouraged that Canada’s finance ministers are working to strengthen the Canada Pension Plan and hope that means parents who take time off work to raise children and workers with disabilities will not be penalized. A statement issued by Canada’s finance ministers today promises “to provide greater benefits to parents whose income drops after the birth…

Human Rights Day: Canada’s unions stand up for human rights

Canada’s unions have a long-standing legacy of advancing human rights. This year on December 10, the CLC will honour the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by standing up for human rights through legislative and social change. On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the declaration, outlining the basic and fundamental rights and freedoms…

Employment top of mind on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Canada’s unions are marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with calls for concrete action to promote economic security, employment and inclusion for persons with disabilities in Canada. The federal government announced this week that it was beginning consultations around signing the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The Optional…

World AIDS Day: My health, my right

This year’s World AIDS Day campaign focuses on the right to good health, and exploring the challenges people around the world face in exercising that right. Over the past 15 years, progress against AIDS has inspired a global commitment to end the epidemic by 2030. The CLC established an HIV/AIDS Fund in 2002. Over the last three years, the fund…

Canada’s unions welcome apology to LGBTQ2SI community

Canada’s unions are welcoming today’s apology for the so-called National Security purge that saw the decades-long government-sanctioned and systematic persecution of LGBTQ2SI workers. “This is a good day for Canada’s LGBTQ2SI workers, and for all those who tirelessly pushed for justice,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff. “In particular we should acknowledge the relentless advocacy of many unions who fought for…

#16Days: Take Action to End Gender-Based Violence

November 25 is the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women, and the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The campaign is an opportunity to reflect on the impact of gender-based violence on our lives, work and communities, and to take action to eliminate it. In Canada, unions and many other organizations hold events and actions on…