No one should have to choose between keeping their family home and paying for life-saving drugs

No one should have to choose between keeping their family home and paying for life-saving drugs

As part of its national campaign for universal pharmacare, the Canadian Labour Congress has launched a powerful new video telling the story of Judy Pope, a Cambridge, Ontario woman forced to make an impossible choice: pay for medication that would prolong her life, or keep her family’s finances and home intact. A cancer-fighting medication had kept Judy Pope alive for…

Unions applaud Canada’s commitment to a just transition for coal workers

Canada’s unions are applauding the federal government for showing international leadership on climate change by announcing plans to tie Canada’s phase-out of coal-fired electricity with a just transition for affected workers and communities. “Canada has seized an opportunity to set an international example by proving that ambitious economic restructuring policy to save our planet can be drafted with people at…

Unions celebrate Ontario government’s support for paid domestic leave

The Canadian Labour Congress is celebrating news that Ontario labour legislation is being amended to provide victims of domestic and sexual violence five paid days off work. “Unions have been advocating for this for years because we know that designated, paid domestic violence leave means it is easier for survivors to keep their jobs and escape violent and abusive relationships.…

Canada’s unions welcome legislation on workplace harassment and violence

Canada’s unions say they welcome legislation being proposed to address harassment and violence in federally-regulated workplaces, and look forward to working with the government to address outstanding issues and ensure effective implementation. The proposed legislation was announced today by Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and would amend both the Canada Labour Code and the Parliamentary Employment and…

Canadian Labour Congress denounces Quebec’s Bill 62 as discriminatory

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) says the Quebec government’s new legislation on religious neutrality is clearly discriminatory and puts workers in an untenable situation. The legislation imposes dubious restrictions on religious accommodation and includes controversial rules which prevent anyone who covers their face from giving or receiving public services. Women who wear face veils as part of religious practice have…

Canada’s unions applaud important step forward on universal pharmacare

Canada’s unions are applauding an important commitment made today by federal, provincial and territorial health ministers to work together on developing a universal prescription drug plan for all Canadians. “Today’s commitment by Canada’s health ministers is an important step for pharmacare, and we look forward to working with all governments and stakeholders to develop a plan for Canadians as soon…

Canada’s unions urge federal government to work with health ministers on pharmacare

Canadian Labour Congress president Hassan Yussuff says he is optimistic that pharmacare will emerge as a priority in this week’s meeting between federal and provincial and territorial health ministers. The CLC will join other organizations advocating for pharmacare at the meetings taking place in Edmonton this Thursday and Friday October 19 and 20. “We will be there to encourage the…

Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh

It is estimated that over half a million Rohingya women, men, and children are currently living in dire conditions in Bangladesh – without clean water, sanitation, or even basic shelter. They were compelled to flee Myanmar this past summer due to what the United Nations Office of Human Rights is now calling “brutal, well-organized, coordinated and systematic attacks.” These attacks…

We all have to work together to ensure workplaces promote mental health

October 10 is World Mental Health day, and this year unions are highlighting the work we do to promote mental health in the workplace. This spring the Canadian Labour Congress introduced an online resource centre with tools and information for workers dealing with mental health issues at work. “One in five people in Canada experience a mental health problem or…

October 7 is the World Day for Decent Work

October 7, 2017 will mark the 10th anniversary of the World Day for Decent Work, a day when unions around the world unite in action for decent work. What is “decent work”? Access for all workers to quality jobs, dignity, equality, and safe working conditions. Putting workers at the centre of development and giving them a voice in what they do.…