Canada’s unions are celebrating Canada’s ratification of International Labour Organization Convention 190

Canada’s unions are celebrating Canada’s ratification of International Labour Organization Convention 190

Bruske: Workers deserve a safe workplace. This historic convention will establish the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment OTTAWA––C-190 is the first global treaty that acknowledges the universal right to a world of work free from violence and harassment, and establishes a clear framework for ending it. Once ratified, governments are accountable for preventing and…

Canada’s unions: urgent action needed to end Islamophobia, protect Muslim communities

On the second National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia, and the sixth anniversary of the horrific attack, Canada’s unions remember the victims and survivors, and continue to call for increased government action to address rising hate. “This day serves as an important reminder of the lethal impacts of Islamophobia and the need…

Politicians must collaborate to find solutions for Canada’s struggling workers

Bruske: The choices facing decision-makers in the coming months will shape Canada for years to come and Canada’s unions will be there to demand a better Canada for all workers. OTTAWA- As the cabinet retreat adjourns and all parties prepare for the return of Parliament next Monday, Canada’s unions are urging cooperation and collaboration focused on helping struggling families. December’s…

Beware of Premiers bearing promises of a quick health care fix

By Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, and Patty Coates, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour, as published in National Newswatch. Winston Churchill famously said, ‘Never let a good crisis go to waste,’ and clearly Premiers Doug Ford in Ontario and Danielle Smith in Alberta, took note. Both are seizing this crisis in our health care system…

Statement by the Canadian Labour Congress regarding the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

The Canadian Labour Congress has expressed its grave concerns about the allegations against Luca Visentini, stemming from an ongoing corruption investigation by the Belgian authorities. Visentini was elected to the position of General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation in Melbourne, Australia, in November 2022. He was subsequently arrested and released with conditions as part of the investigation. Visentini…

Statement from Bea Bruske on the mass shooting in Vaughan, Ontario

Canada’s unions are shocked and horrified to hear of the tragic mass shooting in Vaughan on Sunday evening. Canada’s unions wish to express their deepest sorrow and shock at the news of this horrible event, where five lives were brutally lost. We want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were killed in this senseless act of…

International Migrants Day: Canada must do more to help undocumented people secure their rights

Canada’s unions are urging the federal government to be ambitious in developing an inclusive and comprehensive regularization program for undocumented people that includes protections to ensure their safety. An estimated 500,000 undocumented people in Canada live under constant fear and threat of abuse and exploitation due to their immigration status. They frequently face racism, discrimination and wage theft, work in…

New child care legislation includes important commitment to non-profit child care and a qualified and well-supported workforce

Bruske: We welcome new child care legislation and will fight to strengthen it as it moves through committee OTTAWA –– Canada’s unions welcome today’s early learning and child care legislation, Bill C‑35, another success born of the cooperation between the NDP and the Liberal government. “Ensuring affordable, high quality, accessible and flexible services means we will have a Canada-wide system…

Bea Bruske: Bank of Canada should pause rate hikes now to avert a manufactured recession

By Bea Bruske, as published in the Financial Post. Bank risks substantially weakening our economy, potentially throwing hundreds of thousands of Canadians out of work Facing a one-two punch of sky-high prices on daily essentials combined with rising credit card, mortgage and other bills, the last thing Canadians need right now is a recession, which could mean massive job losses…

It’s time to commit to ending gender-based violence and say never again!

Every year on December 6th people across Canada remember the 14 women who were murdered in a horrific act of gender-based violence at Montreal’s École Polytechnique. This is a day to honour those lost to gender-based violence and to commit to eliminating it by taking concrete actions. Canada’s unions have marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action since the…