Emancipation Day: Canada’s unions demand stronger measures to address systemic racism

Emancipation Day: Canada’s unions demand stronger measures to address systemic racism

As we mark Emancipation Day on August 1, it’s important that all people in Canada recognize and reflect on this country’s history of slavery and the lasting legacy of inequity still facing Black workers. To address ongoing systemic racism and discrimination in the world of work, Canada’s unions are urging the federal government to strengthen the Employment Equity Act. Emancipation…

GOVERNMENTS MUST SEARCH FOR INDIGENOUS WOMEN’S REMAINS

INDIGENOUS MMIWG2S PEOPLES ARE NOT WORTHLESS 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)…

CLC condemns harassment of Hong Kong trade union activists and leaders

The Canadian Labour Congress, representing 3 million Canadian workers, condemns the Hong Kong administration for placing a bounty on the heads of trade unionists, human rights defenders, and pro-democracy activists. 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…

Premiers commit to meeting on health care crisis but the need for urgent action remains

WINNIPEG–Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske expressed disappointment that Canada’s premiers didn’t make more progress at their annual meeting on the urgent action needed to address Canada’s health care crisis. “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…

Another rate hike is bad news for workers and families

WINNIPEG–Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske reacted with concern to the Bank of Canada’s decision to move ahead with yet another rate hike, despite slowing inflation. “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…

Workers to Premiers: Act Now to Fix Health Care, Create Sustainable Jobs and Make Life More Affordable

WINNIPEG—Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske has written to Canada’s premiers outlining workers’ priorities for this week’s Council of the Federation meetings. “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…

Workers Looking for Premiers to Act on Health Care, Affordability and Sustainable Jobs

WINNIPEG—Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, will be available to talk about what workers are looking for when Canada’s premiers gather for the Council of the Federation in Winnipeg on July 11 – 12, 2023. “Workers and their families are looking to Canada’s premiers for concrete solutions to fix health care, action on the affordability crisis and a…

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples requires ongoing commitment and action

Canada’s unions are marking National Indigenous People’s Day by reaffirming our steadfast commitment to advancing reconciliation and justice for Indigenous peoples, within our communities and workplaces across the country. This includes continuing to demand urgent action from the federal government on reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. “The impacts of Canada’s violent colonial history continue to be experienced…

Canada’s unions: Domestic workers deserve to be seen, supported and protected

As we mark International Domestic Workers’ Day on June 16, Canada’s unions are urging the federal government to urgently provide much-needed recognition and legal protections for domestic workers in this country. 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…

Canada’s unions demand meaningful enforcement of the Westray Law

May 9, 2023, marks the 31st anniversary of the Westray disaster that killed 26 miners in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. 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…