Every student has a right to feel safe in their school. Every worker in a school has a right to be safe. Every family should be confident that when they say goodbye in the morning, their loved ones will come home at the end of the day. 

Schools are places of learning, of care, of community. They are also workplaces. And no teacher, no education assistant, no custodian, no bus driver, no support staff, no worker should ever have to face violence as part of their job. 

On behalf on Canada’s unions, I want to give heartfelt thanks to every emergency medical technician (EMT), education worker, nurse, doctor, health care worker, police officer and community member who responded with courage and compassion to support families facing this unimaginable act of violence. 

As Canadians, we will be unpacking what happened and how we prevent this kind of violence. But we must be clear: safety in our schools cannot be an afterthought. It requires real investment, prevention, mental health supports, and strong public services. 

We are union members who fight every day for safe work and safe workplaces. We are community members who feel this loss deeply.  

And Canada’s unions will be loud voices in the work ahead demanding the protections, resources, and policies needed to keep our communities and workplaces safe. 

No family should ever have to endure this. And we will not stop fighting for a country where they don’t have to.

The post Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Strengthening the GST credit, now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, with a 25 per cent increase over the next five years and a one-time boost this year, will help many Canadians trying to make ends meet. For up to 12 million people, this support will mean more breathing room when deciding between groceries, rent, medicine, and other everyday essentials. 

But tax credits alone won’t solve food insecurity. Canada’s Unions welcome the government’s commitment to develop a National Food Security Strategy but urge Ottawa to tackle the real causes of hunger in Canada. 

Canada’s Unions urge the government to address the underlying factors behind food insecurity. Too many people are stuck in insecure, low-paid jobs, struggling to get by on meager Employment Insurance benefits after being laid-off, or barely keeping it together on stingy disability benefits or social assistance.  

Families are still being forced into impossible choices, trading off groceries and prescription medications against rent, utilities, and other basic costs. 

Canadians also deserve accountability from corporations like Walmart that profit from our food system. Workers are right to be concerned when hundreds of millions in public support can flow to businesses without clear conditions to ensure savings are passed on at the checkout, especially when rising grocery prices are being driven by excessive profit margins. 

Canada’s Unions continue to call for windfall profits tax on large, highly profitable corporations, including big grocers, and for stronger competition enforcement to protect workers.

The post CLC’s response for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

While Ottawa frames this deal as a way to diversify markets for Canadian farmers and exporters, it ultimately puts both groups at risk, offering uncertain, short-term relief for canola and select fisheries while endangering hundreds of thousands of good jobs across Canada’s manufacturing and industrial sectors. In the end, no sector truly wins, and workers in every industry are left more vulnerable.

At its core, this deal drastically reduces Canada’s surtax on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), creating a pathway for tens of thousands of inexpensive, state-subsidized vehicles to flood our auto market. As the largest private-sector union in Canada has warned, opening our market to Chinese EVs risks undermining our domestic auto industry, jeopardizing existing jobs, suppressing investment, and eroding the independent supply chain that sustains thousands of Canadian workers.

The Government’s willingness to trade hard-earned leverage on issues like auto tariffs and North American cooperation for temporary tariff reductions on canola and some seafood products is deeply troubling. The relief offered for agriculture and fisheries is time-limited, uncertain beyond this year, and insufficient compensation for exposing strategic industries to global competition fueled by massive state intervention.

This agreement raises serious questions about the broader strategy of the Canadian Government in its dealings with our most important economic partners—the United States and the European Union. And it ignores China’s ongoing human rights abuses including the documented use of forced labour and the suppression of workers’ rights.

Instead of charting a coherent, worker-first trade strategy, Ottawa appears to be trading one form of instability for another, responding to the chaos and unpredictability of Trump-style U.S. trade policy by opening the door to state-subsidized Chinese imports that threaten to hollow out Canada’s manufacturing base. Workers are being asked to absorb the risks on both sides: job insecurity driven by U.S. trade volatility on the one hand, and the long-term destruction of domestic manufacturing capacity on the other. Neither approach protects workers, communities, or Canada’s economic sovereignty, and both leave working people paying the price.

Canada cannot secure a prosperous future by sacrificing job security and industrial resilience for symbolic gains. A responsible trade strategy must defend Canadian workers, uphold fair trade principles, and coordinate with allies to ensure that global competition does not come at the expense of Canadian workers, industry and communities.

The post Statement – On the Canada–China Strategic Partnership appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

This is why we, alongside civil liberties organizations, oppose the current version of Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act.  

The version of the Bill being debated in the House of Commons has the potential to infringe on our hard fought-for rights of freedom of expression and freedom of association with little to no oversight. 

Parliament should not pass this Bill without considerable amendment. As drafted, the Bill threatens labour rights, fundamental freedoms, the right to protest, and public accountability. 

With Bill C-9, the federal government proposes to create three new offenses: a hate crime offense, an offense of willfully promoting hatred against an identifiable group, and an intimidation offense.  

Canada already has criminal offences in place to combat hate like mischief, intimidation, and harassment. Police currently have the “ancillary powers” to create exclusion zones for protests, which has the potential to limit freedom of expression and our right to peaceful protest. Three Canadian cities (Toronto, Vaughn, and Ottawa) have created bubble zone bylaws, aimed to protect identifiable groups from hate and harassment when accessing health care (abortion clinics), and attending school and places of worship.  

More mirroring legislation and additional powers given to law enforcement is not necessary. 

We need to protect the fundamental rights that allow Canadians to participate fully in our society and to voice dissent without fear. In today’s political climate, defending these core freedoms is more important than ever. 

This legislation comes at a moment when we are witnessing alarming rights violations in the United States. The National Guard is being deployed to cities to target and deport immigrants under the guise of combating crime. The U.S. Department of Justice and ICE have arrested, charged, and prosecuted protesters for speaking out against immigration raids and for participating in Palestinian solidarity demonstrations. The Trump administration continues to single out vulnerable communities — including trans people and immigrants — while actively eroding core First Amendment rights. 

We cannot allow fundamental rights to be weakened or undermined in Canada. We must ensure that every person here can participate fully in society and speak out without fear. 

We have already witnessed these trends in American governance creep across the border. Since Trump’s inauguration, we have experienced a significant and frightening tariff war, pressure to concede to US demands, and a push to increase border security and crack down on migrants and refugees. 

That’s why we have serious concerns about Bill C-9. Without amendment, it will undermine core democratic rights and expand state powers in ways that put workers and marginalized communities at risk. 

Bill C-9 makes it easier for the state to prosecute people by expanding discretionary police powers and removing the requirement for the Attorney General’s consent. Without amendment, it will lower the bar for criminal charges and give law enforcement wide authority with little oversight. 

This opens the door to the criminalization of peaceful protest and collective action. Without amendment, it will disproportionately impact Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities. 

For workers, the threat is clear. The Charter protects the right to strike — yet without amendment, Bill C-9 will erode this right, making certain legal job actions a criminal offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison. This is a direct attack on organized labour and freedom of association. 

The Bill’s broad and vague language compounds these risks. Without amendment, it will grant sweeping powers without accountability, putting free expression, peaceful assembly, and democratic participation in danger. 

We all want to stop hate crimes and keep people safe in their communities. But Bill C-9, without amendment, will not do that. Instead, it will weaken the very freedoms that keep people safe — the right to speak out, to organize, and to participate fully in society.  

We pushed back hard against U.S. tariffs. We must bring that same resolve to opposing legislation that, without amendment, will chip away at our rights here at home. 

The post Protecting Fundamental Rights — Our Concerns with Bill C-9 appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Across the country, people are losing jobs and struggling to make ends meet.

“The reality facing workers right now is grim,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “In the last quarter alone, Canada lost 66,000 jobs. Growth has dropped every month for two straight quarters. The trade war continues, with no end in sight. Concessions we’ve made to appease Donald Trump haven’t worked. Just look at what happened last Friday, we got hit with new U.S. tariffs on buses and trucks. Working people are still trapped in an affordability and housing crisis that just won’t quit. Families are stretched to the limit and so are our public services and healthcare.”

Trump’s reckless tariff escalation is pulling investment and production out of Canada and into the United States, undermining decades of partnership and cooperation. His aggressive trade tactics are threatening jobs in key sectors like auto, steel, aluminum, lumber, and manufacturing — and Canadian workers are paying the price.

Inflation has climbed again, reaching 2.4% in September, with grocery prices up 4%. Families are being squeezed harder than ever; paying more for food, housing, and gas while watching good jobs vanish from their communities.

Canada’s unions are calling for an all-hands-on-deck approach to protect Canadian jobs, strengthen our economy, and support families through this crisis. That means:

• Focusing on jobs and affordability: Invest in public projects and build more housing to create good, stable jobs and ease the cost-of-living crisis;

• Fixing Employment Insurance: Modernize EI and ensure workers impacted by the trade war aren’t left behind;

• Protecting public services: Now is not the time for cuts. With more Canadians depending on healthcare, education, and community supports, we must not reduce services — and we must not add to the jobless; and

• Standing up to Trump: Match U.S. tariffs with strong, targeted retaliatory measures, including a 50% tariff on U.S. steel and aluminum, to defend Canadian industries and show that we will not be bullied.

“Canada’s unions remain ready to work with the government and Parliament to get Canada through this crisis,” Bruske added. “Workers power our economy, and together, we can rebuild it stronger, fairer, and more resilient.”

It’s time to protect Canadian jobs, defend our industries, and put workers first.

The post Statement by Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Since its inauguration on December 10, the government of President Javier Milei has promoted several measures that generate profound damage to the Argentine people, its workers, its organizations, and social movements.

We support the national strike called by the Argentine trade union federations, CGT, CTA-T and CTA-A on January 24, in rejection of the Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) and the “omnibus law” project, which violate the principles of division of powers, democratic principles and the correct functioning of institutions and constitutional norms.

Some of the measures of the DNU 70/23 that affect workers in an extremely negative way include: it imposes strong limits to the exercise of the right to strike and to the holding of union assemblies; it extends the trial period from 3 to 8 months; it allows the deregulation of the working day and modifies the regulation of overtime; it facilitates outsourcing and labour intermediation; it reduces severance pay; it weakens the labour contract law by reducing its applicability; it eliminates fines for unregistered employment and for the non-payment of severance pay. For its part, the Omnibus Law includes a modification of the Penal Code that takes the criminalization of social protest to levels not seen since the last military dictatorship, among the measures clearly aimed at limiting union action.

Although the Argentine courts granted the claim made by the CGT by issuing a precautionary measure that paralyzes the implementation of the segment dedicated to labour reforms in the Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU), such resolution is not definitive, and the Argentine government has repeatedly announced that it will continue and deepen the measures, while the Argentine Congress debates and defines the approval of the “omnibus law”.

The Canadian Labour Congress, together with TUCA, express our profound rejection of the measures that the government has imposed against the working class and trade unions, in addition to setting a regional precedent in terms of a clear violation of labour, social and trade union rights.

Therefore, we request the Argentine government to urgently prioritize broad and democratic social dialogue to analyze and define the best measures that include and promote the participation of the Argentine people.

We request the Argentine authorities (executive, legislative and judicial branches) review all those measures of the DNU that violate the rights of workers, that contravene constitutional norms and the international norms of the International Labor Organization ratified by Argentina.

Yours sincerely,

Link to official letter here.

The post Canada’s unions support Argentinian national strike appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Canada is facing a crisis: Statistics Canada data released earlier this year showed a record jump in hate crimes against 2SLGBTQI+, Muslim, and Jewish communities in 2021. This number continues to increase. This includes an alarming rise in incidences of hate and hate crimes, divisive ideologies, and racist, prejudicial, and discriminatory acts, both online and offline. It is crucial for all Canadians to urgently come together, to confront and combat this hate head-on. 

Canada’s unions are urging the federal government to take immediate action to put an end to the rise of hate in this country. This includes releasing its National Action Plan on Combatting Hate, a much-needed tool to help combat the rapid increase and spread of hate.  

Hate speech also continues to thrive online. This environment allows white supremacist, fascist, and right-wing extremist groups to organize and spread hate-based rhetoric and ideologies, quickly and effectively. The federal government must release its long-promised online harms bill, aimed at countering the deeply troubling trend of online hate, harassment, and violence.  

To combat rising anti-2SLGBTQI+, anti-inclusion, and pro-violence campaigns across the country, Canada’s unions are also calling for the implementation of all 29 policy recommendations in the White Paper on the Status of Trans and Gender Diverse People.   

“This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As we mark and reflect on this significant milestone, we must unite against hate in all its forms. Hate—whether rooted in racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, or any other form of prejudice and discrimination—has no place in our society. It undermines the principles of human rights and jeopardizes the very fabric of our society,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). 

Canada’s unions have long been at the forefront of human rights issues and will continue to fight for a more just and equitable future for all.  

“We will not let anyone roll back hard-won human rights. Every worker deserves to live a life free from fear, prejudice, and bigotry. We remain unwavering in our commitment to confronting hate in our workplaces, unions, and communities,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “The ongoing rise of hate requires an urgent response, and we’re calling on the federal government to take concrete steps to protect and preserve human rights in Canada. But we also have a collective role to play in confronting and combatting hate. It’s up to each of us, to stand up to hate when we see it and when we hear it. Only together can we make our workplaces and our communities safer for everyone.” 

Everyone in Canada must do their part to confront and combat hate. Join the fight by: 

• Downloading our Workers in Transition Guide to learn more about how you can support trans people in your workplace.  

• Downloading our report on confronting Islamophobia in our workplaces and communities
  Islamophobia at Work: Challenges and Opportunities.  

• Learning more about how right-wing extremism and populism are spreading online and in communities across Canada. 

• Sign the #TransEqualityNow petition to tell the federal government they must act. 

The post Canada’s unions: confronting hate is a shared responsibility appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

On December 6, 1989, a male gunman targeted and shot several women students at l’École Polytechnique in Montreal. 14 women died, and 10 others were injured. Every year, on December 6, Canada’s unions join organizations across the country in marking the day, by calling for necessary action to end gender-based violence and femicide.

“We remember those lost and injured that day, targeted because they were women. We also mark December 6, by reaffirming our commitment to act against gender-based violence. We owe it to the memory of those victims, and to everyone lost or injured because of gender-based violence since then, to take decisive action and put an end to this injustice,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “The December 6 murders happened over three decades ago, and yet we’re still fighting for proper protections against gender-based violence. At work, women and gender-diverse workers are more likely to be the targets of violent behaviour, particularly by third parties like clients, customers or patients. Every worker deserves to be safe at work, which is why it’s critical that the federal government collaborate with unions and employers to implement ILO C-190.”

ILO C-190 establishes a clear framework for ending violence and harassment in the world of work, and makes governments accountable for preventing and addressing violence at work. The federal government of Canada
ratified ILO C-190 earlier this year but has yet to develop a plan for implementation. Meanwhile, incidents of workplace violence perpetrated against women and gender-diverse workers continue to increase.

Femicide is on the rise: on average, one woman or girl is killed every two days in Canada. We’ve also seen a sharp increase in incidents of misogynist, transphobic and homophobic hate. The alarming proliferation of anti-feminist and anti-trans disinformation online is emboldening perpetrators to commit violence offline. Earlier this year, at the University of Waterloo, a male former student targeted and attacked a woman associate-professor in a gender studies class. Two students were also seriously injured in the attack.

Workers with multiple and intersecting identities, like Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people, face especially high rates of gender-based violence. This is why it’s critical that any government plan aimed at addressing
gender-based violence also include measures to implement the MMIWG inquiry calls to justice.

“Gender-based violence is a violation of human rights, and refusing to act to end it is not an option. Everyone deserves to be safe at work, and that includes putting an end to gender-based violence in the world of work. But we must be intentional in the way we do this work, and any policy aimed at addressing gender-based violence must adequately reflect intersectional experiences,” said Siobhán Vipond, CLC Executive Vice-President. “It is our duty to honour the memory of those we’ve lost, and to honour those who survived, by ending gender-based violence. For over thirty years, Canada’s unions have called for the prevention and elimination of all forms of gender-based violence, and we remain steadfast in our commitment.”

Canada’s unions are ready to get to work, alongside governments and employers, to ensure workers in every sector and every jurisdiction are safe at work, so no one is left behind.

The post Never Again: Canada’s Unions Mark December 6 with Call to End Gender-Based Violence appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA—Canada’s unions are pleased to see the federal government launch a Union-Led Advisory Table to help workers succeed in Canada’s economic future, announced today. 

The Advisory Table will be chaired by Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, and will include 15 labour leaders from across Canada with expertise across sectors. The table will advise the government on pressing issues facing workers and will provide recommendations on how best to support workers affected by economic change. 

“I am proud to chair this advisory table and thank the government for taking this much-needed step,” said Bruske. “Unions have led the way in the face of the ongoing affordability crisis, and we know that to stabilize our economy, we need workers at the table. They are at the heart of Canada’s economy.” 

The union-led advisory table will complement the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council included in the Sustainable Jobs Act and will not duplicate it. This new initiative will guide conversations on what Canada needs to do to strengthen the workforce and ensure workers find their footing in a changing economy. 

“The workforce is changing rapidly with the environmental transition and the digitalization of work. To achieve a smooth transition, it is crucial for workers to be considered and heard,” said Bruske. “Our economy is shifting, and Canada’s unions are ready to work with the government to ensure no workers are left behind.” 

The Canadian Labour Congress is the largest labour organization in Canada, bringing together dozens of national and international unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour and community-based labour councils to represent more than 3 million workers across the country. 

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact: 
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426 

The post Canada’s unions welcome the federal government’s new advisory table giving a much-needed voice to workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Originally created by the UN, this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities urges unity in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for, with, and by persons with disabilities.

“As the federal government works to pass the Sustainable Jobs Act and make workers a key part of its climate plans, we urge them to also meaningfully include workers with disabilities,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Canada’s shift to net zero must be built around high-quality unionized jobs, which must be available to all workers. People with disabilities deserve equal access to these high-quality jobs, that offer decent pay and benefits. Canada’s sustainable jobs plan must be equitable, and inclusive.”

Earlier this year, the federal government announced Bill C-50, the Sustainable Jobs Act. Bill C-50 recognizes the vital importance of unions, industry, and governments working together to ensure that workers are the focus of a sustainable path to a net-zero economy. It also includes a commitment to address barriers to employment for persons with disabilities in Canada as part of the transition. Once implemented, this legislation will put Canada at the forefront of the global energy shift.     

“Climate change is the defining crisis of our time and its workers who will move us toward a truly sustainable economy. Workers have the expertise to boost our economy by making Canada a leader in the green energy transition,” said Lily Chang, Secretary-Treasurer of the CLC. “Persons with disabilities have a right to work on an equal basis with others, but systemic barriers deprive many from meaningful access to decent work. A sustainable future is only achievable if workers—all workers—are at the heart of our climate plans.”

To date, Canadian governments have struggled to adequately integrate a disability lens into climate policies, denying people with disabilities meaningful socio-economic inclusion in our low-carbon future. Workers with disabilities are more likely to face systemic discrimination in recruitment, training and retention, and are often unable to secure appropriate workplace accommodation. 

According to the United Nations, people with disabilities are also disproportionately impacted by climate change. The federal government must seize the opportunity to create an inclusive, worker-centered low-carbon economy, that provides access to high-quality, barrier-free jobs to all. Find out more about the CLC’s worker-powered plan to create a #FutureThatWorks.

The post Workers with disabilities must be included in Canada’s sustainable jobs plan appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

This year, on the twelfth anniversary of the award, the Canadian Labour Congress is pleased to announce OECTA member Angelo Tocco as the 2023 winner of the Carol McGregor CLC Disability Rights Award! 

Angelo has been a teacher and OECTA member for over 26 years, using his knowledge and lived experience as a person with a disability to advocate for accessibility, inclusion and meaningful change for those with hearing loss in his union, workplace and profession.    

Angelo empowers students and workers with disabilities to start conversations about access and inclusion. As a teacher at Dante Alighieri Academy in Toronto, Angelo helped a group of students create an educational film titled “Exploring Speech to Text, Inclusion and Belonging.” The video raised awareness of informational, technological and attitudinal barriers to accessibility and inclusion. Angelo and his students won the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program Difference Maker of the Year award for the film. Angelo has also facilitated a “connecting with members forum,” which offered a safe space for OECTA members with disabilities to build community.   

Angelo has advanced accessibility on a systemic level, raising organizational consciousness of accessibility in each role he holds. He completed a one-year secondment with the Ontario College of Teachers Standards of Practice and Education (SP&E) unit, where he played an instrumental role in revising Standards of Practice and Education accessibility practices.

He is also a member of the Ontario Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility Kindergarten to Grade Twelve (K-12) Standards Development Committee under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As a member of this committee, Angelo contributed to removing barriers to accessibility in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 publicly funded education system. Angelo is also a member of the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee (YRACC).

Angelo has also been an active leader in advancing accessibility and inclusion within the labour movement and his union. He was also a foundational member of the OECTA Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (AIDE) Task Force, a member of the Diversity Advisory Board, and he is a current member of the Member Engagement Committee. He’s advised the Provincial Executive in each role, using his extensive knowledge of best practices to facilitate meaningful inclusion for members with disabilities.  

Within the broader labour movement, Angelo has also participated actively at the CLC Convention, contributing to preparatory discussions on disability-related resolutions. He regularly shares updates on policy and social issues, cultural competency and critical legislation such as the AODA.

A cornerstone of Angelo’s activism is using his lived experience to teach others. In the words of his nominator, René Jansen in de Wal, “[h]is greatest contributions involve using his own needs to educate and create awareness to provide universal accessibility tools and resources. Angelo has not only shown us the roadmap, he has also taught us how to use it.” 

Congratulations Angelo! 

The post Angelo Tocco – Winner of the 2023 Carol McGregor CLC Disability Rights Award appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA––Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), released the following statement:

“The CLC is proud to join a delegation of labour representatives from across Canada at the United Nations’ global climate summit, COP28. At this critical juncture, Canada’s unions are advocating for decision-makers to address the concerns of workers. It is imperative that governments around the world take swift and decisive action to tackle climate change and build a sustainable economy for generations to come. As the driving force behind our economy, workers must have a seat at the decision-making table as decisions are made about our collective future.

Throughout the summit, representatives from Canada’s unions, including CLC Executive Vice-President Larry Rousseau, will engage with trade unions from around the world as well as global and local political leaders. We have a clear
call-to-action: governments must prioritize good union jobs that will ensure prosperity for workers and communities in the shift to net-zero.

Decisions made at COP28 will impact the future of work; we’re there to make sure that workers are at the heart of decisions made. A key priority is ensuring that the Just Transition work program being negotiated prioritizes workers. Governments have a responsibility to provide the tools and support necessary so workers can lead the way forward to a sustainable tomorrow and we’re ready to hold them accountable.

At our event at COP28, titled ‘Workers and Work in Canadian and Global Just Transitions’, we presented concrete policies to support and empower workers as countries take action to decarbonize their economies. We will soon release a report expanding on the topics discussed during the event. This report calls for meaningful investments in sustainable jobs and provides clear recommendations for net-zero industrial policy.

Labour rights are fundamental to building a sustainable economy. This means ensuring that workers in Canada and around the world can engage in meaningful discussions with their employers and governments to define the parameters of a good job.

Workers have the tools and solutions to create a sustainable economy and a future that works for all of us. Whether it’s at COP28 or here at home with the Sustainable Jobs Act (Bill C-50), Canada’s unions will be a strong voice for work and workers.”

The CLC recently launched A Future That Works, a campaign to bring workers together to shape a worker-powered plan for good, sustainable jobs. For more information, visit www.futurethatworks.ca  

The post Canada’s Unions at COP28: Shaping a Sustainable Future for Workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA––Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, will be available to react to the Fall Economic Statement.

“Workers and families already bear too much of the burden for these tough economic times. As wages keep falling behind, families struggle to make rent, pay for groceries, or afford medicine when their child gets sick,” said Bruske. “Working people are looking to the government to invest in creating affordable housing, delivering publicly funded, publicly delivered pharmacare, fixing Employment Insurance and creating sustainable jobs while fighting climate change.”

Bruske added that not everyone has suffered, pointing out that oil corporations and others have seen record profits while their employees kept falling behind.

“Real fiscal responsibility starts with the government making profitable corporations pay their fair share,” added Bruske. “That’s a balanced approach that protects the programs and services people rely on. You can’t cut your way to prosperity.”  

What:              Comment on how the Fall Economic Statement affects workers and families

When:             By arrangement

Who:               Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Fiscal Update Must Put Workers and Families First appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

We all need care at some point in our lives. Our jobs, our families and our economy depend on having our care needs met. In Canada, nearly 1 in 5 workers are employed in paid care work occupations, which is an estimated 3 million people.

“For too long, political leaders and Canadian society have taken both paid and unpaid care work for granted. As a result, much of this work—largely performed by

women—remains precarious and undervalued, while those who perform it are perennially at risk of violence and harassment,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Care workers in this country deserve better. It’s time that we take care of our care workers.” 

Care work includes health care and mental health; early childhood education and child care; care for the elderly and people with disabilities; domestic work; and other vital social and health care services that support our families and communities. Many of these workers are Black, racialized, immigrant and migrant women and women with disabilities. 

The quality, availability and accessibility of care work and care services are central to the struggle for decent work. Without a vision and movement for inclusive, equitable, and high-quality care, the growing demand for caring labour threatens to reinforce the gender, race and class inequities that shape both care provision and access to care. 

“The gendered impacts of the care crisis are real, with deep impacts on the women who work in care. These women are working in precarious jobs, for low wages and in poor working conditions. This is a longstanding, unfair and unsustainable situation,” said Siobhán Vipond, Executive Vice-President of the CLC. “Between the health impacts associated with ongoing climate events and an aging population in Canada, things are likely to worsen if this isn’t addressed now.”

Canada needs a forward-thinking, integrated care strategy, guided by the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) framework. The ILO framework recommends approaches and policy measures that:  

• Recognize that care is essential and that access to care is a human right; 
• Reduce the unfair and unequal burden of unpaid care responsibilities borne by women and families and redistribute the responsibility for providing care more equitably by ensuring that quality, public care services are available for everyone; 
• Reward care work appropriately by improving wages and working conditions for workers in all care sectors; and  
• Ensure care workers’ representation in the decisions that impact them, including by promoting the right to organize and bargain collectively.  

“We must continue to build on and amplify initiatives to address the pressing workforce, access, and affordability issues in specific sectors, including health care and child care,” said Bruske. “Canada needs a comprehensive and integrated approach to support care workers and strengthen Canada’s care economy across all sectors. Canada’s unions are committed to supporting our valuable care workers across the country.” 

The post International Day of Care and Support: Care workers deserve care too appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA–Canada’s unions welcome today’s Bank of Canada decision to hold interest rates steady but warned that although inflation might be slowing down, the affordability crisis is not.

“Workers and their families are left waiting for the other shoe to drop every time the Bank of Canada makes a rate announcement,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “With families facing increased housing costs and struggling to afford basic necessities, Canada’s unions have a clear message for Governor Macklem: Support workers and put them and their families at the centre of monetary decisions to ease their constant fear of more rate hikes.’’

The Bank’s ten consecutive and aggressive rate hikes in less than two years are still weighing heavily on workers and businesses.

The combination of high inflation and rising interest rates have broad economic implications. High inflation erodes the purchasing power of workers, leading to reduced spending. Meanwhile, monthly mortgage costs continue to rise, and spending power further diminishes, leaving workers with tough choices to make.

The Bank’s recent business outlook survey showed more and more businesses plan to reduce their investments, in part due to high-interest rates. Failing investments from businesses across the country will result in weaker demand for labour, which is what the Bank of Canada is targeting.

“The central bank’s actions since March 2022 have not only affected workers, but they have also been a significant driver of inflation,” commented Bruske. “The high-interest rates put forward by the Bank have led to increased borrowing costs for businesses. It’s workers and their families who bear the brunt of higher prices for goods and services, adding more pressure to Canadians who are struggling to make ends meet.’’

Bruske welcomed the Bank’s overdue acknowledgment of the role being played by corporate pricing practices in inflation. Corporations have been passing along higher costs and more leading to record high profits in a wide variety of sectors.

Bruske added that worker compensation is below where it was in 2019, while corporate profits are up almost 30%. Although the government doesn’t set interest rates, they do have a responsibility to help struggling workers and their families instead of prioritizing supersized corporate profits.

“We hear from workers across Canada that they are unable to pay housing costs or put food on the table. But high-interest rates aren’t the only problem these families are faced with. We must hold the government accountable and make sure it does more to support those struggling the most,” said Bruske. “Canadians are at breaking point. Canada’s unions are calling on all parties to work collaboratively to alleviate some of the pressure facing families. We will be looking for urgent action on affordable housing and publicly funded and publicly delivered pharmacare.”

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Bank of Canada holds rates steady but more needs to be done for working people appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Canada’s unions are deeply concerned by Saskatchewan Premier’s decision to pass legislation that will violate queer and trans children’s rights to privacy and safety in schools.

In this climate of rising hate, our schools should be inclusive and a safe place for kids to learn, grow, and thrive—not a hostile place that outs kids to potentially unsupportive families. 

Scott Moe does not have the best interests of children at heart, and he made it very clear by passing his education policy that directly violates the rights of children and young people. 

Politicians must be held accountable to make evidence-based, compassionate decisions that prioritize human rights and support the protection of marginalized communities.  Moe’s education policies ignore the reality of violence, harassment, and bullying we know many trans and gender-diverse youth face at home and in their communities.  

“Scott Moe knew his education legislation violates the Charter of rights—but he did not care and went ahead with the Notwithstanding Clause to push it through anyway,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “We cannot allow our governments to overstep their boundaries to push their personal agenda or use kids as political pawns,” added Bruske.

This sends a chilling message, not only to 2SLGBTQI+ people and communities but to all of us who might see our rights pushed aside for political gain. We’ve seen this before, from this Saskatchewan Party government, and the one before it. This Conservative government has a long track record of trying to circumvent people’s Charter rights. 

Canada’s unions will not stand for Moe’s tactics using fear and division to distract people from the real issues in Saskatchewan. Standing in solidarity against hate and injustice has always been a cornerstone of the labour movement and we will continue to fight to protect people’s Charter rights.  

To trans and queer kids and their families, to teachers and education workers who are doing their best to ensure a safe, inclusive learning environment: Canada’s unions have your backs. 

“I am proud to be part of the fight against regressive legislation and in support of an education system where children and youth can be their authentic selves and learn, grow, and thrive,” added Bruske.

Canada’s unions will always fight for a fairer, just, and more equitable future for all— including children.  

-30-

Please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Canada’s unions: Solidarity against government overreach. We must stop these politicians who continuously trample our rights appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA—Canada’s unions are joining forces to launch “A Future That Works,” a worker powered‑ plan to secure the jobs we need to tackle climate change head on and lead the way to a sustainable tomorrow.

“Workers have the solutions and new ideas to tackle climate change. They know what needs to be done to make their jobs sustainable. It’s workers who will make the shift to a sustainable economy possible by creating sustainable energy, upgrading our buildings, bridges, and roads, and developing low-carbon transportation,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Working people are the engine that powers Canada’s economy, with the right tools and opportunities they can tackle climate change head on.”

Workers across Canada are on the front lines of climate change. Farm workers, who are often racialized or without status, are grappling with the impact of floods and droughts on crops, while PSWs, who are disproportionately racialized women, are fighting to stay cool in patients’ homes during heatwaves.

The A Future That Works campaign marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of a sustainable, more equitable future. A key objective of the campaign is to ensure the federal government moves swiftly to pass a robust Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act. Canada’s unions are calling on parliamentarians to give workers a voice in decisions about their futures, with meaningful representation on the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council. 

We are also calling for strong investments to create low-carbon jobs with the protection of a union card, and pathways into these jobs for women, Indigenous and racialized workers, and those in industries impacted by climate change. Comprehensive training initiatives, Employment Insurance (EI) and other financial assistance are also needed to ensure workers and their communities can remain resilient as Canada tackles climate change.

“Canada’s unions have a significant role in shaping the shift to a sustainable economy. They represent the interests of workers who are directly affected, including in the energy sector. We will be there every step of the way to press for safe work, fair wages and benefits, and social programs that benefit our communities,” Bruske added. “Together, we can create a future that works for all of us.”

More information can be found on the campaign site: https://futurethatworks.ca/

-30-

For media inquiries and interviews, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Canada’s Unions Launch “A Future That Works” Campaign: Good Jobs for a Sustainable Tomorrow appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

WINNIPEG—Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske released the following statement in reaction to the Manitoba election results.

“Congratulations to premier-elect Wab Kinew and the Manitoba NDP for their stunning historic victory last night. Wab and the NDP offered the positive change Manitobans were looking for—better health care, lower costs, and good jobs.”

“Manitoba voters also showed that using hate and divisiveness to drive your campaign is a losing proposition. In the privacy of the ballot box Manitobans expressed their best nature yesterday, not their worst selves as the Manitoba PCs had urged them to do.”

“It was reprehensible to see Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives end their campaign by trying to exploit racism against Indigenous people and anti-2SLGBTQI+ sentiment for electoral gain. It was very heartening to see Manitobans soundly reject these messages of intolerance.”

“I was also proud to see how working people stood up against the PC’s record of imposing wage restraint laws on health workers and attacking workers’ rights. Health care workers, provincial and municipal workers, members of private and public unions, and so many others mobilized in large numbers to knock on doors and talk with their neighbours about what was at stake in this election.”

“Workers came out because they knew Stefanson’s Conservatives couldn’t claim to care about how expensive life has gotten for people after they refused to pay workers a fair wage and even attacked the very unions that represent them. The PCs may have thought their anti-union rhetoric could be a winning argument as the campaign started against a backdrop of strikes at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries and Manitoba Public Insurance. But at the end of the day, Conservatives just drew more attention to their uncaring incompetence.”

“Stefanson and the Conservatives’ defeat should serve as a clear warning to politicians across the country thinking about trying to win government through negative attacks and messages of intolerance. Appealing to extremism and intolerance may help get your base out to volunteer and donate, but Manitoban voters showed the whole country yesterday it’s a failing strategy for winning elections.”

-30-

Please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Hate is a Losing Proposition appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Today we must all take time to remember and honour all the Indigenous children taken from their homes, families, and communities to be sent to residential schools, where they faced mistreatment, violence and abuse. No child should have to endure these atrocities, nor should any community have to experience the fallout of these racist policies,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

Approximately 80,000 residential school survivors are still alive today. The trauma inflicted by the residential school system has had far-reaching and devastating impacts on survivors, their families, and Indigenous communities more broadly.

“While residential schools closed, the impacts of the system remain, and the horrors of the residential school system are echoed in current government policies. This includes the use of birth alerts, the underfunding of child and family services on reserves, and the over-representation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system. Indigenous children, workers, and communities deserve better, and it’s long past time for these injustices to be righted,” said Lily Chang, CLC Secretary-Treasurer.

For survivors, their families, and the families of the children who never made it home, the traumatic impacts of the residential school system continue to be felt today. The ongoing discovery of the graves of thousands of Indigenous children at former residential schools, and the slow degree to which action has been taken to release records on residential schools to survivors and their families, creates additional trauma for community members.

In order to redress the legacy of colonization and advance the process of reconciliation in a meaningful way, it is imperative that the federal government address the harms caused by the residential school system, as well as the colonial policies and practices that have and continue to have devastating consequences for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.

This is why on October 3, 2023, workers from across Canada will be heading to Parliament to meet with Members of Parliament and Senators as part of CLC’s second National Indigenous Lobby Day. There they will urge lawmakers to take action on Indigenous justice, including:

• Addressing the harms caused by the residential school system by implementing, without delay, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action 71 through 76: Missing Children and Burial Information;
• Providing appropriate funds and resources to support the development of essential publicly delivered water infrastructure and ensuring the elimination of all long-term boil water advisories in First Nations communities;
• Immediately creating a national Red Dress Alert system to notify the public when an Indigenous woman, girl, or Two-Spirit person goes missing;
• Releasing an implementation plan for the government’s National Action Plan, and accelerating fulfilment of all the Calls for Justice from the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people; and
• Along with the government of Manitoba, prioritizing and adequately funding a search of the landfills to return Marcedes Myran and Morgan Harris of Long Plain First Nation, and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe to their loved ones without further delay.

Show your solidarity and join the calls by signing our action letter and letting your MP know that you want to see concrete action for justice for Indigenous communities!

Other ways to take action on this day and beyond:

• Visit CLC’s Indigenous Rights and Justice Resource Centre, for information and resources on tangible actions you can take to support Indigenous workers in your workplace, union, and community.
• Find and join an event or action in your area to commemorate Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (example in Ottawa).
• Wear orange to show your support for Indigenous communities impacted by residential schools.
• Donate to and support Indigenous organizations and Indigenous community supports such as the Indian Residential Schools Survivor Society, and First Nations Child & Family Caring Society.

The post Federal government must do more to fulfill its promises on reconciliation appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Pensions and workers’ livelihoods are too important to toy with. We cannot allow workers’ financial security to be used as a bargaining chip by elected officials. Withdrawing from the CPP in favour of a provincial plan carries significant risks and uncertainty. It’s not up to the Premier to gamble with people’s futures, simply because she thinks it might win her political points,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

The Canada Pension Plan is tried, true and highly valued by Albertans. For a majority of workers in Alberta and across Canada, the CPP is the only workplace pension they have. In 2016, over two-thirds of Albertans indicated they supported an expanded CPP.

The CPP pays a secure, predictable, guaranteed benefit until death, and the pension is protected against inflation. At a time when fixed retirement incomes and private pensions have been eaten away by higher prices, CPP benefits rose 6.5% in January 2023. The CPP is fully sustainable and is currently being enhanced—it will be there for Albertans, for generations to come.

The CPP is fully portable, following workers wherever they work, regardless of how often they change jobs. Canada has bilateral social security agreements with over 50 countries, to ensure full eligibility for pensionable employment, coordination and
non-duplication. In addition to the retirement benefit, the CPP also includes death benefits, survivor’s benefits, and disability benefits.

“At a time with so much other economic uncertainty, we need to protect and preserve the valuable supports we currently have, like the CPP. We should be working to ensure retirement security for all Albertans and Canadians, not jeopardizing the few secure sources of retirement security workers do have,” said Bruske. “We are committed to working with the Alberta Federation of Labour and our other affiliates in Alberta to ensure workers are well informed on the advantages of remaining within the CPP, as well as the very real risks and disadvantages of withdrawing from it.”

The post Alberta Premier Danielle Smith gambling with workers’ futures appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“We learned last week that our economy is contracting. Statistics Canada reported that our economy went into the negative in quarter two, just like many Canadian’s bank accounts.   Families are being pushed to the brink and more and more workers are living pay cheque to pay cheque, worried about losing their jobs. After 10 rate hikes, today’s decision means the Bank didn’t make an already horrible situation worse,” warned Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “As families face huge jumps in mortgage costs and ballooning payments for loans and lines of credit, we urge Governor Macklem to put the well-being of people at the heart of Canada’s monetary policy and signal an end to rate hikes.”

Bruske explained that the Bank of Canada’s mandate was changed in December 2021 to give it leeway to consider the impact on people and jobs, yet the Bank has been narrowly focused only on inflation and not enough on everyday people.

“The Bank’s stubborn focus on raising rates and driving up mortgage rates are not only hurting so many renters and homeowners, they’re also now the biggest force pushing up inflation,” said Bruske. “The Bank has the leeway to look at the impact on people, so why haven’t we seen this? The Bank must stop trying to use yesterday’s monetary policy solutions to solve today’s challenges.”

Bruske added that while the government doesn’t set interest rates, they do have a responsibility to help struggling families.

“We hear from so many workers and families unable to make their rent or pay for groceries. But interest rates are just one part of the problem. There’s a lot more government can do to help those struggling the most,” said Bruske. “When Parliament resumes in two weeks, we’ll be looking for all parties to come together behind urgent action to build more affordable housing, create good sustainable union jobs, and implement publicly delivered pharmacare.”

-30-

Please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Bank of Canada and Governments Must Put Well-Being of Workers and Families First appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Unions, labour councils, and millions of workers celebrate the hard-fought victories won by labour, rally in support of worker rights, and call for urgent action to improve the lives of working people in Canada.

“Today, we celebrate working people and the contribution they and their unions have made to life in Canada. Workers have advanced our economy, developed social programs, created the middle class, and paved a way to prosperity for millions of Canadians,” says Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Today, we celebrate the advancements that Canada’s unions have made to lift everyone up, and steel ourselves to continue the work to improve our economy and society.”

With several high-profile labour actions this year alone highlighting stagnant wages and the rising gap between workers and wealthy CEOs, everyday workers and their families are struggling to afford housing and food while continuing to see their wages fall further behind.

“Workers are paying for an inflation crisis they did not create, living the real and often devastating impacts of climate change, and witnessing the long-term consequences of a crumbling care system. With these challenges facing us, it’s so important to fight for a future that lifts everyone up,” says Bruske.

Canada’s unions will continue to push governments to do more to put working people first, including:

• The creation and protection of good, unionized jobs in a low-carbon economy contributing to climate justice, as signalled in the Sustainable Jobs Act.
• Forcing the super-rich to pay their fair share and implementing universal pharmacare and a national housing strategy.
• Investments in public care services to support good jobs, decent working conditions, and high care standards.

Canada’s Unions will also work with the federal government to enact anti-scab legislation to ban the use of so-called “replacement workers” for both lockouts and strikes by the end of 2023.

“Protecting and expanding workers’ rights to organize is vital to building a strong, stable workforce,” says Bruske. “We know that when workers organize together, we lift everyone up.”

– 30 –

Please contact: 
CLC Media Relations 
media@clcctc.ca 
613-526-7426 

The post Canada’s Unions Celebrate Labour Day by Lifting Everyone Up appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

By Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress as published in National Newswatch

Over the next four weeks, Conservatives will spare no expense to try to scare the wits out of you. Their campaign strategy is, in a nutshell, hoping they can panic you into voting for them yet again.

Indeed, my fellow Manitobans, brace yourself for the great ‘Stefansmear’ campaign of 2023.

You will hear false claims about taxes and crime, and dishonest attacks on Wab Kinew’s character. Anything and everything they can think of to keep you from remembering the 7 long years of Conservative broken promises.

But we remember. For over seven years we’ve watched while Brian Pallister, Heather Stefanson, and the whole Conservative gang let us down. Their lack of care and compassion for working people is stunning. Time and again they’ve displayed an almost criminal level of neglect.

Let’s not forget how Conservatives promised action on affordability – but then raised hydro bills. Now they are planning to ding Manitoba families with ‘surge’ energy pricing. Which is government-speak for making you pay more for energy, just when you need it most.

Remember how Conservatives promised a constructive relationship with workers? Then they imposed contracts with lower pay, attacked workers’ rights, cut apprenticeships, and rolled back worker safety.

Who can forget how Conservatives promised 200 more nurses, 80 more paramedics and more personal care home beds? In government, Conservatives then delivered 300 fewer nurses, 87 fewer paramedics and 149 fewer personal care beds.

But look, broken promises aren’t about the numbers, it’s about all the people getting hurt by Conservative policies. If your pay is falling so far behind inflation you can’t make rent, or if you’re waiting for your child to get care in an Emergency Room, or if you’re waiting in vain for a personal care bed for your elderly relative, you’re another Manitoban who’s paying the price for these heartless Conservative policies.

Conservatives try to scare people into thinking you must choose between the fair treatment of workers and a strong economy. Ms. Stefanson has demonized unions. Hypocritically, she attacks workers fighting for fair wages while she gave herself a raise.

The reality is, making workers poorer may make billionaires richer, but it doesn’t help to build thriving communities. No, it’s workers who build and power our economy. This is why I was delighted to see Wab Kinew’s New Democrats already making a commitment to reverse Conservative cuts to training, restore the 1-to-1 apprentice ratio to improve worker safety, and ensure local communities benefit from major projects. Kinew’s plan will put more Manitobans to work and create good, sustainable jobs.

In contrast, for over 7 years we’ve watched as Ms. Stefanson steadily failed her way upwards through the Manitoba government. She was Brian Pallister’s Deputy Premier, his justice minister while crime got worse, his health minister while Conservatives closed three Emergency Rooms in Winnipeg. Despite this, bizarrely, Conservatives gave her a promotion. As premier, she’s cut education, raised energy costs, and failed to fix the health crisis she helped create. Now Ms. Stefanson wants to be rewarded for doing a bad job. It’s time for a change.

I know Wab Kinew, and I know how deeply he cares about how tough things have gotten for working people. He knows what it means to worry about whether care will be there for your kids. He’s been through trial by fire and has the strength of character to stand up to powerful interests. That’s why I trust him to put help for people and good jobs at the centre of his government.

As we mark Labour Day in Manitoba this year, I urge workers and families to see past the latest Conservative promises and their scaremongering rhetoric to take a close look at what they actually delivered over the past 8 years in government. Look at how Conservative policies have made life more expensive for families and hurt workers, then ask yourself: Who cares about people getting good jobs, with fair pay, for an honest day’s work? Who can I trust to help families as their budgets are stretched to the breaking point? Who will make sure public health care is there, not only for my family, but for generations of Manitobans to come?

In 2023, only the NDP are offering this kind of positive change.

Bea Bruske is President of the Canadian Labour Congress. Follow her on Twitter @PresidentCLC

The post Brace yourself for the great ‘Stefansmear’ campaign of 2023 appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“The Alberta government’s decision to slam the brakes on new sustainable energy projects is deeply frustrating. By halting wind and solar project approvals, Alberta is backsliding. Meanwhile in provinces across the country, governments of all stripes, including Conservative, are investing in sustainable energy and using federal renewable energy tax credits announced in Budget 2023 – money which Alberta is leaving on the table.”

“It is disheartening to learn that Alberta plans to bog down processes for the development of renewable energy generation, standing in the way of the workers and industries striving to build up our communities and potentially putting a chill on investment. Why should Albertans miss out on the opportunity to benefit from the sustainable energy boom as communities across Canada and around the world move to decarbonize their economies?”

“The short-sightedness of the Alberta government couldn’t come at a worse time; the pressing need for climate action is undeniable. People around the world are sweltering in record-breaking heat waves. And this year, thousands of Albertans have been displaced from their homes due to climate-fueled wildfires, sending a clear signal that we must act urgently to safeguard our communities. Investing in sustainable energy not only creates job opportunities for workers but also helps protect our communities from the devastating impacts of climate disasters.”

“It’s time to end the unnecessary politicization of climate action and instead prioritize the well-being of workers and their communities. We urge decision-makers to recognize that by holding back on sustainable energy projects, they risk leaving workers behind. With the rest of the world progressing toward a sustainable economy, it’s a setback we can’t afford.”

“Canada’s unions are committed to advocating for workers’ rights, well-being, and economic prosperity. We call on the Alberta government to take meaningful steps to support workers in accessing emerging opportunities in the sustainable economy.”

-30-

Please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Statement from Bea Bruske on Alberta’s decision to halt new sustainable energy projects appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Emancipation Day – recognizing the abolition of slavery in Canada and other British colonies on August 1,1834 – is a time to honour the struggles, triumphs and resilience of Black communities in Canada, and to confront the ills of racism, oppression and discrimination that continue to plague Black people in this country.

“An updated Employment Equity Act is crucial, but Black workers also need to see the creation and implementation of an intersectional national anti-Black racism strategy that includes strong employment and pay targets and solid measures to combat persistent labour-market discrimination and exclusion, which is what Black workers are consistently up against,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President of the CLC.

The impacts of anti-Black racism are far-reaching, causing major barriers to economic advancement and empowerment for Black communities and ongoing labour market discrimination. This has resulted in Black workers earning lower wages and facing barriers in hiring, advancement, promotion and retention.

A 2023 Black Canadian National Survey conducted by York University’s Institute for Social Research, in partnership with the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, found 75% of Black Canadians and 70% of other non-white people experience racism in the workplace as a serious or very serious problem. 47% of Black Canadians reported they had been treated unfairly by an employer in hiring, pay or promotion in the previous 12 months, compared to only 15% of white Canadians.

“Canada’s unions continue to stand in solidarity with Black workers by calling on our governments to address these longstanding inequities in employment stemming from this country’s unjust history. This includes strengthening the Employment Equity Act to acknowledge the barriers experienced by specific communities through the collection and analysis of disaggregated data. A renewed Act must also be accompanied by sufficient funding to support its full and proper implementation by employers, and the enforcement functions of the Canadian Human Rights Commission,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC.

The CLC is looking forward to the release of the report of the Employment Equity Review Task Force. We are committed to working with the government to ensure meaningful action on implementing its recommendations in support of greater equity for Black workers, and all workers experiencing barriers to employment equity.

Canada’s unions also continue to support the legal action taken against the Government of Canada via the Black Class Action, which seeks redress for the injustices faced by Black federal public service workers, past and present, who have experienced discrimination in hiring and promotion practices.

This Emancipation Day, here are some things you can do to celebrate and support Black workers and communities:

• Find and participate in Emancipation Day events in your area
• Educate yourself on Canada’s history of slavery and its lasting impacts
• Find labour education opportunities within your union to tackle anti-Black racism in all its forms https://canadianlabour.ca/who-we-are/labour-education/

The post Emancipation Day: Canada’s unions demand stronger measures to address systemic racism appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

WINNIPEG—Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske, with the support of Manitoba Federation of Labour President Kevin Rebeck issued the following statement today:

“Canada’s unions call on governments at all levels to commence a search for the remains of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and an unidentified woman who has been named Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe (Buffalo Woman) in the Prairie Green landfill.”

“The decision on whether to search the landfill, first and foremost must be made keeping basic decency, respect for human life and spirit in mind. Indigenous Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) are not garbage. These MMIWG2S were sisters, siblings, daughters, aunties, and mothers. People loved them. Their lives mattered. Governments must do all they can to ensure that a landfill is not their final resting place.”

“As allies, we stand in solidarity with the families and communities of these MMIWG2S. The police have stated they believe their remains are in the landfill. A search must be conducted. It is unacceptable that the provincial government is not prepared to look at ways to move forward.”

“In 2019, the National Inquiry report into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls called for action directing police to put into place protocols to ensure that all MMIWG2S cases are thoroughly investigated. We must all heed the report’s 231 calls for justice and work to improve the quality of life of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit and gender-diverse people. 

“The health and safety of workers must be prioritized in moving forward with search plans, including ensuring proper personal protective equipment (PPE), training, and expert planning at every stage.”

“The families and community have been dealt with too many delays, court battles and jurisdictional disputes. We call on governments at all levels to begin a landfill search immediately, as the sooner the search begins, the sooner the healing and closure may commence.”

“This is our collective responsibility towards meaningful reconciliation.”

-30-

Please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post GOVERNMENTS MUST SEARCH FOR INDIGENOUS WOMEN’S REMAINS appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Last May, at the 30th Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress, Hong Kong labour leader and activist Christopher Mung (Mung Siu-Tat) spoke to Canadian workers about the complete deterioration of civil rights and democracy in Hong Kong. Mr. Mung, former Executive Director of the now disbanded Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, is forced to work in exile to defend workers and sustain global attention to the criminalization of trade union leaders and pro-democracy activists.

Last week, the Hong Kong authorities issued arrest warrants against Mr. Mung and seven others and placed a bounty of HK$ one million on each of their heads.

“Workers at convention heard firsthand about the terrible situation in Hong Kong and the criminalization of doing the basic work of trade unions there,” says Bea Bruske, CLC President. “We stand in solidarity with all workers in Hong Kong and in defence of trade union and human rights.”

Please see the letter from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region demanding that authorities live up to their international and trade union and human rights obligations. The exercise of trade union rights and civil liberties in Hong Kong must be permitted in a context free of fear, intimidation, arrests, and arbitrary prosecutions.

Canada’s unions call for charges to be dropped, and for the release of imprisoned trade union partners Lee Cheuk-yan and Carol Ng, and of all those arrested and imprisoned for allegations related to the exercise of civil liberties, including freedom of assembly, expression, press and association, and of those participating in pro-democracy activities.

-30-

The post CLC condemns harassment of Hong Kong trade union activists and leaders appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“People are still facing long waits for care and Emergency Room closures while health workers are still experiencing difficult working conditions and unsustainable hours. Five months after a new funding agreement between federal and provincial governments, too little progress has been made,” declared Bruske. “We are facing a pan-Canadian health care crisis. It is disappointing the premiers failed to make more progress on coordinated action to better retain and recruit health care workers and strengthen our public health care system.”

Bruske added that workers were also hoping premiers would put their ideologies aside to come together with a commitment to work with labour, alongside business and the federal government, on an industrial strategy that will ensure Canada’s economy can keep pace as the world moves ahead on the global energy-employment transition.

“While we welcome the premiers’ commitment on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the need for new training supports, we are concerned that some provinces oppose the federal government’s Sustainable Jobs Act,” warned Bruske. “We urge all premiers to come to the table and work with us, the federal government, and business to make sure Canada’s industrial strategy puts good, sustainable union jobs at its heart. That’s how we’ll build thriving and prosperous communities, in every province and every region, for generations to come.”

Workers and families are also looking to the premiers to get to work with other levels of government to help bring down the cost of living.

“Family budgets are overstretched as people struggle to pay for family essentials like food and medicines, while high interest rates drive up housing costs. But governments can do something to help,” explained Bruske. “Governments can come together to deliver more affordable housing, implement publicly funded and publicly delivered pharmacare, and provide targeted support for low-income families. This could really help families get by.”

Bruske added that Canada’s unions welcomed the premiers’ commitment to work with the federal government on Employment Insurance reforms, a critical support that isn’t there for many workers just when they need it most.

“Even after paying into the EI system for years, only 2 in 5 unemployed people now qualify for benefits. It’s clear that EI just isn’t up to the job of backstopping workers in a crisis,” warned Bruske. “With signs of an economic downturn and growing job losses, urgently implementing long overdue reforms of our Employment Insurance program must be a top priority.”

-30-

Please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-355-1962

The post Premiers commit to meeting on health care crisis but the need for urgent action remains appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Unemployment is on the rise, our economy shows more signs of weakening, and inflation is slowing. If you factor out rising mortgage and rental rates – which are the result of the rate hikes – inflation is already within the Bank’s target range,” said Bruske. “Canada’s unions are deeply disappointed the Bank of Canada pushed ahead with more rate hikes that will drive up housing costs and throw more people out of work. Yet another tough economic blow to workers and families.”

With Statistics Canada reporting that the gap between the rich and poor is widening at the fastest pace on record, poverty rates are climbing and rising interest rates have hit low-income and younger people the most, Bruske said the Bank of Canada’s latest hike and the additional harm it will cause must be a wake-up call for the federal government to take action to help.

“Canada’s most vulnerable workers and families are being hit the hardest. While the government can’t set interest rates, there are many things they can do to make life less expensive,” explained Bruske. “Governments can create more affordable housing, implement publicly delivered universal pharmacare, and move ahead with a windfall tax, so profiteering grocery store giants and other companies driving up prices are made to pay their fair share. This could really help families struggling to get by.”

Bruske added that with the growing signs of an economic downturn and a rising unemployment rate, it is more important than ever that the government urgently moves ahead on Employment Insurance reforms when the House of Commons reconvenes in the fall.

“Even after they pay into the system for years, too often EI isn’t there for workers when they lose their job. Fewer than 2 in 5 unemployed people now even qualify for benefits,” explained Bruske. “We are looking to the government to urgently implement long overdue reforms of our Employment Insurance program when Parliament reconvenes this fall. We are on the precipice of a recession. If the government fails to act, too many people will be left without the help they need, just when they need it most.”

-30-

Please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-355-1962

The post Another rate hike is bad news for workers and families appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Workers and families are looking to Canada’s premiers for action to fix the health care crisis, help families struggling with still-rising prices, and collaborate with workers on creating sustainable, union jobs in a low-carbon economy,” said Bruske. “We are looking to the premiers to put workers and families at the center of this week’s Council of the Federation.”

Bruske warned that people are particularly frustrated by a lack of progress on health care despite February’s health funding agreement between the premiers and the prime minister.

“Patients face another summer of long wait times and hospitals struggling to keep Emergency Rooms open, while health workers experience unsustainable hours and unacceptable working conditions,” cautioned Bruske. “Governments must work urgently with health care unions to improve working conditions to better recruit and retain workers.”

With wildfires and daily air quality warnings reminding people of the urgency for climate action, Bruske added that it is critical governments bring workers and industry to the table as Canada moves ahead on its clean energy industrial strategy.

“We are seeing a global transition to a low-carbon economy. Canada’s workers, industry and governments must work together to make sure our economy isn’t left behind as the world moves ahead,” explained Bruske. “Building thriving communities of the future starts with putting good, sustainable union jobs at the center of our industrial strategy.”

Bruske added that many people continue to struggle just to get by as prices for housing, food and medicines stretch family budgets to the breaking point.

“Governments must come together to create more affordable housing, implement publicly funded and publicly delivered pharmacare, and provide support for low-income families,” concluded Bruske. “This could go a long way to help families through today’s affordability crisis.”

Bruske’s open letter to the premiers is attached.

-30-

Please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-355-1962

The post Workers to Premiers: Act Now to Fix Health Care, Create Sustainable Jobs and Make Life More Affordable appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Workers and their families are looking to Canada’s premiers for concrete solutions to fix health care, action on the affordability crisis and a strong commitment to work with the labour movement to make sure good, sustainable, union jobs are at the heart of our industrial strategy,” said Bruske. “People are struggling. Canada’s health crisis continues while family budgets are stretched to the breaking point.”

Bruske added that people are frustrated that five months after the new health care funding agreement between the prime minister and the premiers, Canadians are still waiting for the promised bilateral deals.

“Patients face long wait times, hospitals struggle to keep Emergency Rooms open while health care workers across the country face another summer of extreme staff shortages, unsustainable hours and unacceptable working conditions,” warned Bruske. “Canada’s Premiers must listen to frontline workers and work with health care unions on measures to improve working conditions, better retain and recruit nurses and ensure the long-term viability of Canada’s cherished public health care system.”

On the climate crisis and the energy – employment transition, Bruske says workers want our politicians to be leaders not laggards.

“Now is the time to act to make sure Canadian workers aren’t left behind as the world transitions to a low-carbon economy,” exclaimed Bruske. “Let’s work together to future-proof our industrial strategy, in every province and every region of our country.”

What:            Comment on workers priorities for Council of the Federation meetings.

Who:             Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress

Where:         By arrangement via phone or zoom.

When:           July 7 – 12, 2023

–30–

To arrange an interview please contact:

CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-355-1962

The post Workers Looking for Premiers to Act on Health Care, Affordability and Sustainable Jobs appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“The impacts of Canada’s violent colonial history continue to be experienced by Indigenous peoples. Disproportionately high rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit peoples, persistent drinking water advisories on reserves, the over-representation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system and the same over-representation of Indigenous adults in the Canadian judicial system are all manifestations of colonial systems, which continue to cause serious harm to Indigenous peoples to this day. This is our collective shame as a nation and we must do absolutely everything in our power to address it,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

At the CLC’s 30th Constitutional Convention last month, Indigenous delegates from across the country spoke powerfully about the pressing need for unions to play a more active role in reconciliation, as well as the need for stronger commitments and action from settler allies more broadly. Delegates came together to adopt an action plan on Indigenous justice: one that closes gaps in equity and advocates for improved socio-economic conditions for Indigenous workers and communities; increases awareness and education around Canada’s history and legacy of colonization and its ongoing inhumane impacts on First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples; and advances Indigenous rights and justice both within and outside of the labour movement.

“We are dedicated to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, in a spirit of reconciliation and striving for justice. We are committed to making substantive change in our workplaces, our communities and within the labour movement,” said Bruske.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 Calls to Action, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two Spirit People (MMIWG2S) Inquiry’s 231 Calls to Justice, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) all uphold the rights of Indigenous peoples to maintain and protect their cultural heritage, as well as the responsibilities of government to integrate Indigenous rights and justice into its practices and policies. Canada’s unions will continue to fight to ensure the full implementation of all three.

There remains much work to be done: as of April 30, 2023, 37% of the 94 TRC Calls to Action were either stalled or not started, and to date, only two of the MMIWG2S Inquiry’s 231 calls have been completed. More than half haven’t even been started.

“Reconciliation requires immediate, concrete and sustained action from government. Inuit, Métis and First Nations peoples should not have to keep waiting for justice, especially when the path to achieving this has been so clearly laid out. Justice is long overdue,” said Lily Chang, Secretary-Treasurer of the CLC.

Canada’s unions continue to firmly support Indigenous communities’ demands for the federal government to:

• End all short and long-term boil water advisories in First Nations communities and improve on-reserve infrastructure and reliable access to clean drinking water; 
• Complete all of the TRC Calls to Action and the Calls to Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing Murdered Indigenous Women Girls and Two Spirit People; and 
• Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as the framework for reconciliation, and develop a strong national action plan, strategies, and other concrete measures to achieve the goals of the UNDRIP

The post Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples requires ongoing commitment and action appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Domestic workers do the indispensable work of caring for our children, families, and communities, and help us meet our essential household care needs. However, they also often face barriers to decent work such as poor working conditions, low pay, wage theft, exploitation and limited pathways out of precarious immigration status.

“Canada’s ratification of ILO Convention 190 (C-190) earlier this year was an important and welcomed step in protecting the right of all workers to be free from workplace violence and harassment. But domestic workers remain vulnerable at work without the additional and specific protections provided by ILO Convention 189 (C-189),” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Canada must also ratify C-189 to ensure decent, fair and safe work for domestic workers.”

There are an estimated 75.6 million domestic workers around the world, and women make up the vast majority of this workforce. A 2022 ILO report stated that just six percent of domestic workers worldwide have access to comprehensive social protections. In Canada, most domestic work is carried out by racialized women, many of whom are migrant workers.

Convention 189 recognizes the critical nature of this care work and allows domestic workers to have access to the same employment norms, standards and protections as workers in other sectors.

“This issue is part of a broader problem in this country, one where care workers are often under-recognized and undervalued. This is why Canada’s unions are calling for a forward-thinking, integrated care strategy that improves working conditions for care workers and that strengthens Canada’s care economy, across all sectors,” said Bruske. “We believe everyone has the right to access the care they need and that care workers deserve to be seen, valued and supported.”

For more information on the CLC’s care campaign, visit showwecare.ca.

The post Canada’s unions: Domestic workers deserve to be seen, supported and protected appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Following the explosion caused by a buildup of methane gas and coal dust, Justice Peter K. Richard who led the public inquiry into the disaster found “a complex mosaic of actions, omissions, mistakes, incompetence, apathy, cynicism, stupidity, and neglect,”.

 No one was ultimately held accountable for the deaths of these miners. The United Steelworkers and their allies fought for years and won amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada known as the Westray Law.

The Westray Law means negligent employers can be charged and convicted under the Criminal Code for criminal negligence, facing the possibility of going to jail and a criminal record. This important part of the Criminal Code is rarely enforced. This is unacceptable.

Each year approximately 1000 Canadian workers die because of something that happens to them at work.  We know this is only the tip of the iceberg and doesn’t represent the full scale of worker fatalities in Canada.

While not every worker death is a result of criminal negligence on the part of the employer, when a worker is killed as a result of their job, a thorough criminal review of the circumstances that led to that fatality is needed. Negligent employers must face the full legal consequences of the Westray Law.

“A failure to enforce the law gives employers with little regard for the life and welfare of workers a pass,” says Bea Bruske, President of the Labour Congress. “The real potential for an employer to be held criminally responsible and go to jail when a worker is killed or seriously injured is a key part of changing behaviour and keeping workers safe”.

One death is one too many. Crown attorneys and police must be trained and expected to investigate and prosecute these cases, with investigators and prosecutors who specialize in this work. Regulators, police and Crowns must deepen and coordinate their efforts to ensure enforcement. “Over 30 years after that harrowing day, let us use the Law – to the fullest extent.”

The post Canada’s unions demand meaningful enforcement of the Westray Law appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

MONTRÉAL–– Thousands of delegates representing local, regional and national unions and labour bodies from across the country will gather at Montréal’s Palais des congrès from May 8 to 12 for the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)’s 30^th Constitutional Convention. The Convention is the highest decision-making body for Canada’s largest labour organization, representing more than three million workers.

“More and more workers are turning to unions for support as they demand better from governments and employers. The world of work is changing rapidly, and we’re ready to meet the challenges facing workers today. We’re looking forward to hearing directly from our members – the workers of this country – as we set the priorities for the next three years, and beyond. Over the week, representatives from across Canada will meet to determine how Canada’s unions will continue to improve the lives of all workers,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC.

This year’s theme is “Canada’s Unions: Lifting Everyone Up”. Delegates will debate action plans and resolutions aimed at making life fairer for workers and their families, from coast to coast. Priority issues being discussed include affordability, climate action, the care economy, Indigenous justice and building worker power.

The lineup of exciting entertainment and speakers includes award-winning singer-songwriter, Jully Black; hilarious comedian and actress, Margaret Cho; labour organizers Chris Smalls from the Amazon Labor Union and Sarah Broad, an organizer of North America’s first unionized Starbucks in Victoria, British Colombia, along with notable labour economists. A full agenda is available at LiftingEveryoneUp.ca.

-30-

For more information or to obtain media accreditation, visit LiftingEveryoneUp.ca or contact:

CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca

The post Canada’s Unions: Lifting Everyone Up appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Today is a day to celebrate our wins and fortify ourselves for the next fight. Workers can achieve incredible things when they come together. Being a union member means having a safe workplace, better pay, more benefits, and good work-life balance. When working people unite, they make an economy that works for us all,” says Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

From the General Strike of 1919 to workers fighting today for fair wage increases in response to the affordability crisis, we know that when workers come together, they win. It doesn’t matter where you work or what you do, we are all workers and when one group wins, we all do.

The gains that unions secure are only made possible because of workers who organize. Workers come together across geography, job role, and background to join or create a union because unions are the best way to secure the things they care about. Unions foster solidarity, build people’s power, and win.

Today we celebrate workers. Nurses, teachers, firefighters, journalists, professional athletes, retail store clerks, manufacturing workers, auto workers, miners, electricians and construction trades workers—these workers (and more!)  keeping the labour movement going and continue to make gains for workers everywhere.

When we stand together, we make things better for everyone. On this May Day, we call on workers everywhere to remember what can be gained when we build collective power.

The post May Day: Strong Unions Build Worker Power appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“On Refugee Rights Day, we recognize and celebrate the 1985 Supreme Court of Canada ruling that refugee claimants are entitled to fundamental justice. Today, Canada’s unions urge the federal government to uphold the principles of fundamental justice and fulfill its moral duty and international obligation to protect the well-being of people and families seeking safety, by suspending the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA).

“We are deeply concerned by the recent decision between Canada and the United States to expand the Safe Third Country Agreement. Expanding the Agreement to the entire border, including Roxham Road, means that refugees crossing in both directions will be driven underground, forced to take even more dangerous routes, and put their safety and lives at risk. It will inevitably lead to harm and more deaths.

“Under the STCA, refugee claimants must request refuge in the first safe country they arrive in. Although the United States is the only country that has been designated as a safe country according to the Agreement, the reality is that the U.S. does not guarantee safety for refugees.

“We all want to do what is best for our families. Under international law, people have the right to seek refugee protection and to a fair process that determines whether they should receive it. People seeking refuge in Canada deserve to be treated with compassion and must have their claims processed fairly and efficiently, not be turned back to harm.

“Canada’s unions stand in opposition to the Safe Third Country Agreement, and in solidarity with our allies fighting for migrant and refugee justice.

The post Statement from Bea Bruske: To uphold refugee rights, Canada must suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

From the hidden experiences of Black Nova Scotian domestic workers in the mid-twentieth century, to the young Black women domestic workers who participated in Canada’s West Indian Domestic Scheme, to the Black women who overcame significant racial discrimination to train and work as nurses, Black care workers have been integral to this country’s care history.  

 “Black care workers helped build this country. They fought and organized for justice, helping to secure the rights that all workers now benefit from. Today—and every day— we honour this hard work by fighting for fairness and justice for Black care workers,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Care workers continue to do the hard work of providing care—paid and unpaid—for our families and communities. This work is often carried out by Black, racialized, immigrant and migrant women.

Wages and working conditions for care jobs do not reflect the true value of the work: jobs are precarious and wages are low. These women often work under poor, unsafe and unfair conditions, with few protections. Care work is traditionally understood to be women’s work, and as such, it is undervalued. This upholds gender stereotypes promoting ideas about women’s place in society and the forms of work assigned to them.

“The racial dimensions and undervaluing of care work also have deep roots, going back to when African and Indigenous peoples were bought, sold, traded and inherited in Canada’s system of chattel slavery, the impacts of which are still felt deeply by Black and Indigenous workers and communities. Black workers helped raise this nation, caring for others—first under duress, and today, out of necessity, yet their work and contributions aren’t properly valued,” said Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive Vice-President.

In addition to the hardships of unjust wages and working conditions, Black care workers face anti-Black racism, racial violence and abuse on the job. Without access to equal rights and protections, these inequities persist.

Care work is necessary to the continued well-being of our families and communities, and the functioning of our economy. Despite the indispensable nature of this work, Canada’s care systems are failing its workers and all those who need care. The pandemic has exacerbated the existing cracks in our care systems.

Black care workers helped build Canada and continue to provide the crucial care we all need and depend on. Let’s show up and show we care by fighting together to secure fair and decent work for Black care workers and committing to eradicating gender, racial and other inequities that are bound up with the undervaluing and maldistribution of care work. Send a letter to your MP urging them to invest in repairing our public care systems and join the fight at https://showwecare.ca/.

The post BHM 2023: It’s time Canada takes care of Black care workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Today’s numbers are further evidence that inflation is already slowly moderating in Canada. Yet again, Canada’s unions are calling on the Bank to pause its tightening cycle and avoid further hiking rates.

“The Bank’s rapid and aggressive rate hikes will have colossal impacts on workers and their families. Raising rates may eventually squeeze inflation out of our economy—but the cost is sky-high. The Bank’s actions could cause an enormous rise in unemployment, personal and corporate bankruptcies, and could potentially initiate a financial crisis,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. 

The Bank needs to let the impact of previous rate hikes take hold before taking further action, in order to avoid a damaging recession. If the Bank continues down this path, it risks heavily weakening our economy and throwing hundreds of thousands of Canadians out of work. 

“The Bank of Canada Governor is bound and determined to reach the two percent target for inflation, knowing full well it would cause a rise in unemployment, leaving workers across Canada struggling to pay for basic necessities for many years to come,” said Bruske. “The Governor says he knows Canadians are struggling and feeling the pain of inflation and the strain of increased interest rates. But policy makers, including Governor Macklem, must remember that their decisions have serious consequences for real people who risk losing their homes because they can’t make their skyrocketing mortgage payments. This is not a theoretical debate about monetary policy,” added Bruske. 

Adding to this, workers and their families are continuously seeing food and housing prices rise while their wages are still lagging behind inflation. Canadians don’t need to see their paycheques stretched even thinner—they need the government to play a role in helping families through this cost-of-living crisis.

Canada’s unions are urging the Bank and the Government of Canada to focus on the ongoing affordability crisis. This should start with reforming the outdated EI program and concrete actions targeting excess profits and corporate price mark-ups.   

“We hope that in the new year, Parliamentarians will act urgently to make profiteering corporations pay their fair share while addressing the problem of concentrated corporate power that is allowing companies to raise prices as much as they want,” said Bruske. “Investing that money back in programs like pharmacare, child care, and long-term care will help alleviate some of the costs families face, ultimately helping reduce the impacts of inflation,” added Bruske. 

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post As we head into the holidays, Canadians are struggling after being hammered by aggressive interest rate hikes appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

This ground-breaking report explored systemic racism in union structures, our communities, institutions and society. It highlighted the perspectives, concerns, and recommendations of labour and community activists from across the country.

“This year’s United Nations’ theme for Human Right Day is ‘Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.’ We live by these words and adopt an anti-racism lens in all the work we do. However, while good progress has been made when it comes to advancing human rights and anti-racism in the twenty-five years since the release of the Task Force report, we know there is still work to be done to dismantle racism in all its forms,” said Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive-Vice President, “and we must all commit to working together to get there.”

Recent data from Statistics Canada showed a sharp rise in hate in Canada since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the urgent necessity for this collective work. From 2019 to 2021, there was a 72 percent increase in reported hate crimes, largely targeting religion, race ethnicity, and sexual orientation.

“This rise in police-reported hate crimes is deeply troubling, and we know this is just the tip of the iceberg, as countless incidents go unreported,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “These alarming numbers demonstrate the effects of continued normalization and mainstreaming of hate. It is our responsibility to work together to counteract this trend by confronting all forms of racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and antisemitism.”

Canada also has an obligation to do more to address its history of colonialism and its legacy and ongoing impacts experienced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Canada’s unions continue to call on the federal government to implement every one of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

To mark Human Rights Day and celebrate 25 years of union activism against racism, the CLC will be hosting a webinar on December 13, 2022. Click here to register.

The post Canada’s unions: hate and racism cannot continue to go unchecked appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA––Canada faces a rising number of children getting seriously ill and even dying from the ‘tripledemic’ of COVID, flu and RSV. Canada’s unions are calling on politicians at all levels to stop the blame and bickering and come together behind providing health care workers with the resources and support they need to deliver the care patients deserve.

“The last thing parents want to hear about while watching their child struggling to breathe is politicians fighting about funding. But for months, that has been all we have heard,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Canada is a rich country. Governments have the resources to address this crisis. What’s missing is the political will to do so.”

Bruske added that there is a clear consensus around the federal government increasing health care funding to the provinces, with these new investments tied to better supporting health care workers and achieving better outcomes for patients. The federal health minister even recently admitted they were close to a deal at last month’s health ministers’ meetings.

“Healthcare workers are being asked to work double or triple shifts just to keep their departments going. While politicians argue, health workers are burning out from the unsustainable workload,” added Bruske. “Nurses, doctors, and health care advocates have been proposing concrete solutions. So we have the money and we have the solutions. Now it’s time to lock our leaders in a room together and not let them out until they have an agreement.”

Bruske also warned that premiers must not use this crisis to privatize our health care system, or use increased federal funding for tax giveaways, as some provinces have done in the past.

“Some Conservative governments have been opening the door to privatization, trying to take advantage of today’s crisis to weaken our public health care system. Canada’s unions will not let that happen,” warned Bruske. “We must strengthen public health care by bringing in pharmacare, mental health care and long-term care, not return to a healthcare system where the quality of care you get is determined by the size of your bank account.”

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
Cell: 613-526-7426

The post Premiers and PM must get health deal done appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

For the past three decades, during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, individuals and groups around the world have called for the prevention and elimination of all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls.

This year, we are casting a light on the disturbing and growing phenomenon of third-party harassment and violence in the world of work.

A recent survey by the Canadian Labour Congress paints a horrifying picture. Seven in ten workers have experienced harassment and violence at work in the past two years–often at the hands of third parties such as customers, patients, and members of the public. That’s the majority of us, and the people we work with. Women and gender-diverse workers are at higher risk of third-party violence because they dominate public-facing jobs.

It’s high time for the federal government to wake up and say ‘never again’ to violence and harassment at work.

The scale and scope of violence are staggering. Last July, a Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) poll demonstrated that the pandemic and never-before-seen hospital staff shortages led to a surge in physical and sexual violence from patients and members of the public against women, who make up 85 per cent of the hospital workforce. The numbers are troubling, particularly for racialized workers, with over 70 per cent saying they are subject to harassment or abuse because of their race or appearance.

For five years now, the United Steelworkers have been drawing attention to the harassment of call-centre workers by customers. Some employers had a no-hang-up policy, leaving workers with no way to escape the harassment. The abuse was often sexual and racist when the workers’ voices were identified as female or racialized.

Widespread verbal and physical violence is known to be a critical factor in the erosion of nurses’ well-being. The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) states that decades-old cycles of gender-based harassment and violence have led to a serious decline in nurses’ health, including mental health. These are the same nurses who spent the past two years on the frontline, caring for us, our family members and our friends.

Another recent survey from SEIU (Canada’s Healthcare Union) paints a grim picture. 4 out of 6 home care workers said they regularly experience verbal assault, 2 out of 5 said they were punched, and 1-in-4 experienced sexual assault while delivering care at a client’s home. These workers are some of the lowest-paid healthcare workers and they are also subject to some of the highest rates of workplace violence outside the walls of big institutional care settings.     

Violence and harassment happen in all corners of the workforce. University of Ottawa researchers found that over half of the educators surveyed experienced physical violence during the 2017-2018 school year–overwhelmingly at the hands of students. More than 70 per cent reported acts of explicit verbal insults, putdowns, and obscene gestures from a student and 41 per cent experienced this sort of behaviour from a parent.

In public-facing workplaces, such as retail and hospitality, the rates of violence and harassment are alarming. 90 per cent of respondents of a United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) survey said they have experienced harassment in their workplaces. Another crushing example from Unite Here Local 40 revealed that more than two-thirds of women workers at one Vancouver hotel had been subjected to sexual harassment from guests.

As you can imagine, workers report feeling stressed, and worthless, and some are even forced to leave their jobs. Few legal protections exist against third-party violence, which leaves workers vulnerable to harm. No one should have to feel unsafe when doing their job.

There is hope. In 2019, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 190, also known as C190, was deemed a historic convention which would establish the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment. We are still waiting for the government to ratify C190 and take this step toward addressing third-party and gender-based violence at work.

However, without an implementation plan, the legislation will fall short. As a first step, Canada’s unions are calling on the federal government to host a summit bringing other levels of governments, employers and unions together to examine third-party violence as a persistent and escalating phenomenon.

We are ready to roll up our sleeves to work with governments and employers to develop an action plan to implement C190.

Whether you are a call centre worker answering our questions, a nurse caring for our loved ones, or a barista fuelling us with coffee, everyone has the right to feel safe at work. Let’s make it a reality.

1. Bea Bruske, President, Canadian Labour Congress
2. Linda Silas – President, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions
3. Sharleen Stewart – President, SEIU
4. Chris Aylward – Public Service Alliance of Canada
5. Daniel Boyer – Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec
6. Marc Hancock – Canadian Union on Public Employees
7. Paul R. Meinema – United Food and Commercial Workers
8. Bert Blundon – National Union of Public General Employees
9. John Di Nino – Amalgamated Transit Union Canada
10. Marty Warren – United Steelworkers

-30-

Bea Bruske is president of the Canadian Labour Congress. Follow her on Twitter @PresidentCLC

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post It’s time to end gender-based violence at work appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA –– Canada’s inflation rate held at 6.9 per cent in October, despite the Bank of Canada’s aggressive interest rate increases, while workers across Canada continue to see their cost of living rise. 

“To have the Bank of Canada Governor tell workers that unemployment needs to rise in the name of slowing inflation when these interest rate increases aren’t doing what he says they will, is a step too far,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. ‘’Big corporations are cashing in all-time high profits while Canadians face the worst food retail inflation in four decades with grocery prices jumping 11.4 per cent.’’ 

In a risk scenario released by the Parliament Budget Officer on November 9, modelling shows that increasing interest rates may not move inflation for years. The Bank of Canada’s single-minded pursuit of the inflation target is not the only way, we have proof of that today. It doesn’t make sense to rely on decades-old monetary policy to solve today’s economic challenges.

Since inflation first broke through the Bank of Canada in March 2021, the average hourly wages have continuously lagged behind price inflation. Adding to this is the increasing inequality between workers and corporations, affecting the most vulnerable. Corporate profits have reached their highest-ever share of GDP while workers’ share has systematically decreased.

Canada’s unions are urging Parliament to act now and to make profiteering corporations pay their fair share – and invest that money in helping struggling families. We need investments in programs like pharmacare, child care and long-term care, to alleviate some of the costs families face, ultimately helping reduce the impacts of inflation.

“People in Canada need the government to address the real causes of inflation and offer fiscal, labour market and social policy measures that will blunt the impact on vulnerable families,” said Bruske. “Workers drive this economy, we need to put the wellbeing of people at the centre of any policy planning and we need tax reform to ensure these big businesses are paying their fair share.” 

A report released by the Canadian Labour Congress and Centre for Future Work proposed policy alternatives to rate hikes, policies that put people at the heart of Canada’s monetary and fiscal policies. The report also explains the shortcomings of old-school economic theories, outlines the real impact of a recession on people and proposes. A copy of the report can be downloaded here.

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Bank of Canada’s continuous rate hike is not slowing down inflation appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA –– Canada’s unions welcomed new relief announced today to help families struggling with rising prices and congratulated the government for bringing forward measures to make life more affordable for everyday Canadians. 

“Moving forward on rental and dental relief is essential and will help to ease the affordability crisis being faced by families today. The rising cost of housing and out-of-pocket dental care has put many families under water,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Smart, targeted policies can help the most vulnerable families make it through.”  

The government announced that it will double the GST tax credit for six months, it will offer time-limited and income-tested support to make housing more affordable, and provide immediate aid to help with the costs of dental care for families with children under 12 years of age. The new supports target low- and modest-income families, where help is needed most. The government also reiterated its commitment today to phase in a dental care plan for seniors, people with disabilities and children under 18 years.

“Canadians are now facing enormous challenges. It is critical MPs come together to make this minority Parliament work,” said Bruske. “New Democrats have proposed policies and ramped up pressure on this government to act. We’re thankful the Liberals have answered this call.” 

Bruske added that Canada’s unions are looking to all Parliamentarians to work with urgency to deliver targeted help to those that need it most. 

“We urge MPs from all parties to quickly get down to work on a recovery that puts people first,” concluded Bruske. “We need to see more of this kind of smart policy cooperation in Parliament.” 

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
Cell: 819-209-6706

The post Canada’s unions welcome inflation relief appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA––Improving inflation numbers are a hopeful sign, but there’s still an affordability crisis facing workers and their families, cautioned Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Today’s slightly improved CPI numbers showed prices still rising at 7.6% in July, well ahead of average wage growth. Groceries were up 9.9% – the largest rise since 1981. Prices for basics like bread, eggs, fruit, and coffee and tea were all up sharply.

“Despite inflation finally slowing from the 40-year record increases we have seen this year, workers are seeing their purchasing power going backwards with every paycheque,” said Bruske. “To make matters worse, when expanded access to Employment Insurance expires in just six weeks workers could face trouble qualifying for benefits.”

With EI measures set to expire in September, Bruske said government action is needed to make sure thousands of workers aren’t left behind. For some workers hired during the pandemic, returning to the old Harper-era EI rules could mean they soon don’t qualify at all.

“Unemployed workers will face a 66% jump in hours required to qualify for EI, much tougher restrictions on who can get benefits, and clawbacks of their severance and vacation pay,” explained Bruske. “It’s the wrong time for the government to abandon people losing their jobs. We are urging the government to extend temporary measures until the EI program can be permanently improved, as the government has promised to do.”

Bruske added that it is critical workers are not made to pay for an affordability crisis they did not create, particularly while some companies take advantage of the situation to extract outrageous profits.

“While many workers struggle to afford essentials, we have seen some corporations take advantage of rising inflation and supply chain issues to rack up their prices and rake in record profits. That’s unfair,” concluded Bruske. “Other countries have moved to tax these corporate super profits. It’s time Canada’s government did the same in order to help families struggling the most and extend EI help to those who need it.”

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Despite slowing inflation, prices still rising faster than wages appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA––Canada’s unions are calling on Canada’s governments to take immediate action to increase supports for low-income people as evidence mounts of a growing number of families unable to afford skyrocketing housing, energy and food costs.

“So many are struggling from rising gas and energy prices, high food costs and soaring rents. We are on the cusp of a homelessness crisis,” warned Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Low-income Canadians are poised on the edge of an economic precipice. Governments of all levels must act without delay to help.”

In a new report released this week, researchers from the University of Calgary demonstrated how low-income families and individuals are subject to economic risk from rising costs but also political risk from government inaction, as many benefit programs are not indexed to inflation.

“Fall and winter will put even more pressure on struggling families, as energy needs rise and less locally grown food is available which will raise grocery costs. Governments must increase supports and index assistance programs to inflation,” said Bruske. “Doing nothing while costs for essentials skyrocket means thousands more families will be facing extreme economic hardship. There is no time to waste.”

Statistics Canada’s latest CPI report showed food inflation slowing, but still up 8.8% over the past year, far outpacing wage growth or social assistance program support. Additionally, while higher interest rates have slowed the housing market, demand for rental accommodation has increased, leading to rental costs soaring almost 14% since the start of the year.

“A critical lesson learned from the past two years of the pandemic was how supporting low-income people through an economic crisis not only helps them, it strengthens our whole economy,” concluded Bruske. “It is critical that governments not lose sight now of their responsibility to help the people who need it most.”

-30-

For more information please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Governments must help families facing economic precipice appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Canada’s unions celebrate an important milestone today as a new law in British Columbia, to return automatic certification to the province, received royal assent.

Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, was in the B.C. legislature to witness the legislation becoming law.

“Signing a union card is the best way for workers to improve their working lives. I am delighted to be here in Victoria to welcome this critical piece of labour legislation as it officially becomes the law,” said Bruske. “Congratulations to Premier John Horgan for his government’s leadership on empowering and supporting working people.”

Bruske pointed out that for decades, governments have moved to ban automatic certification, even in cases where 100 percent of the workers in a bargaining unit demonstrated their support by signing union cards. These moves have coincided with a troubling decline in unionization rates.

“Employers routinely pressure workers not to join a union, threatening to close the business, lay-off employees or withhold promotions and other opportunities,” continued Bruske. “The reality is, showing your support for a union by signing a membership card is democratic. If you have majority support, there’s no reason you should be forced to repeat the process and give employers more time to unduly pressure workers.”

Bruske added that it is critical for workers to have the support of a union and a collective voice at their workplace. This leads to better health and safety, higher morale and less employee turnover.

“Being part of a union and having a collective agreement means stability, predictability and better conditions for workers. This strengthens our communities and benefits our economy,” concluded Bruske. “We urge provincial governments across the country to follow B.C.’s lead and pass laws that make the process fairer for workers to join unions.”

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Canada’s unions celebrate B.C. card check law to empower workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA –– Canada’s unions welcomed progress in today’s Budget Implementation Act on a number of vital issues the labour movement has long pushed for but were disappointed with new delays and restrictions implementing the new paid sick leave policy for all federally regulated workers.

“We are happy the government listened and took action on critical issues Canada’s labour movement has long fought for. A labour mobility tax deduction to support tradespeople, allowing unions to independently file trade remedy complaints, and amending the Competition Act to outlaw wage collusion by employers are welcome steps that will benefit workers,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “We are also pleased the government is implementing a Luxury Items Tax, another step towards making sure everyone pays their fair share.”

Bruske said that the government’s budget bill, C-19, also included important progress on training and Employment Insurance, and encouraged MPs to work together to pass the bill.

“While there is more work to do on permanently reforming EI, today’s progress on establishing a new EI Board of Appeal is something we have long fought for,” said Bruske. “And the government’s commitment to work with unions to create better employment supports and training opportunities is good news for Canada’s workers.”

Bruske added that Canada’s unions were concerned about workers being excluded from the implementation of the new paid sick leave rules, which will now only initially apply to federally regulated companies with over 100 employees.

“There are thousands of workers in small- and medium-sized businesses who are being told they have to wait longer for this critical policy, including people in the trucking industry and other frontline workers who would particularly benefit,” concluded Bruske. “We will keep up the pressure on the government and MPs to work with us to fix this and make sure these workers get the 10 days of paid sick leave they were promised, as soon as possible.”

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Workers welcome wins in budget bill appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

OTTAWA – Canada’s unions are calling on the federal government to focus on the country’s economic recovery and social safety net in its budget to be released Thursday, prioritizing ten key demands.

“The reality is, not everyone is sharing in the economic recovery,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “Many families are still facing enormous insecurity and a precarious job market. It is critical that the government use Budget 2022 to launch our country on a path to economic recovery and a stronger social safety net to ensure no one is left behind,” said Bruske. 

The CLC’s top priorities for Budget 2022 include:

1. 1. Expand funding for Canada’s health care system, with dedicated transfers for investments to address the staffing crisis in the sector, a national dental care program, public and not-for-profit long-term care, and mental health care. A multi-year commitment to implement a national pharmacare program beginning with $3.5 billion in 2022-23 and increasing incrementally in subsequent years to implement a national essential medicines formulary, as the first step towards implementing a full national, universal, single-payer pharmacare system. 
   2. Ambitious direct federal funding for the development of new, non-market, affordable housing (including co-op and non-market rental housing), and serious efforts to combat financial speculation in housing by fairly and progressively taxing house-flipping and vacant properties to capture windfall real estate gains that go to the wealthiest Canadians. 
   3. A commitment to pass and implement a worker-centred Just Transition Act in 2022, and make multi-billion dollar investments over 5 years to support training; and develop renewable energy, home and building retrofits, and low-emissions public transportation.
   4. Make significant investments in health care, education, social services, clean drinking water, housing, and infrastructure for Indigenous communities; take immediate steps to fund and implement the recommendations of the Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; and additional investments to undertake the work of burial searches at the former sites of residential schools.
   5. Investments in the care economy, including a $10 million commitment over three years to establish a Care Economy Commission tasked with planning for the future of Canada’s care economy, and long-term funding for a high quality, affordable, public and not-for-profit child care system, including a commitment to improve compensation for early childhood educators and child care workers, implement a workforce strategy and develop a multi-year capital investment plan to build new and expanded public child care facilities.
   6. Make workplaces fairer for everyone by bringing in 10 paid sick days and anti-scab legislation in the Canada Labour Code into effect in 2022, cracking down on employee misclassification, and a commitment to implement the recommendations of the Report of the Expert Panel on Modern Federal Labour Standards.
   7. A commitment to permanently increasing accessibility of employment insurance benefits and restoring direct federal government contributions in order to improve EI access and benefit adequacy.
   8. Concerted action on fair taxation reform, including a wealth tax, as well as a tax on windfall oil and gas profits, closing regressive tax loopholes, and tax changes on financial institutions that have made strong profits during the pandemic.
   9. Protect and strengthen retirement security with increases to OAS and GIS benefits, and put workers and pensioners at the front of the line in insolvency proceedings. Commit to reforming the Companies’ Creditors Arrangements Act and Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act to exempt post-secondary education institutions and other public entities.
      
   10. A commitment to providing unions in Canada with the explicit right to file anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard complaints under Canada’s trade remedy legislation.

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

The post Top 10 things unions and working people are looking for in Budget 2022 appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.