Bill C-39 could create more labour unrest, union leaders warn

Bill C-39 could create more labour unrest, union leaders warn

OTTAWA — Bill C-39 could make labour disputes longer and harder to resolve, union leaders warned MPs Thursday, undermining the stability the federal government says the legislation is intended to protect. Ahead of Thursday’s second reading vote, Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske joined Candace Rennick, National Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Tom Doran, President of the…

World Day for Decent Work: Canada’s unions fighting to protect the right to strike

As workers around the world mark the World Day for Decent Work on October 7, Canada’s unions are sounding the alarm over the federal government’s proposed restrictions on the right to strike. Canada’s unions have been clear: decent work means decent rights, including the right to strike. Expanding government powers to restrict workers’ constitutionally protected right to strike is the…

Global labour body warns Bill C-39 could violate Canada’s international obligations

OTTAWA — The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has written directly to Prime Minister Mark Carney, warning that Bill C-39’s proposed restrictions on the right to strike are “highly likely to violate” Canada’s international labour obligations under ILO Convention 87. Representing workers through national trade union organizations in 169 countries and territories, the ITUC is calling on the federal government…

Honouring Truth Means Acting on Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a reminder of our ongoing and collective responsibility to recognize and confront the legacy of the residential school system and other unjust colonial systems and policies impacting the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada today. This year marks 11 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report and 94…

CEOs covered by new labour code make up to 199 times more than their workers

OTTAWA — As some of Canada’s biggest employers welcome the government’s new restrictions on the right to strike, new analysis from the Canadian Labour Congress finds that CEOs at six of Canada’s biggest employers make as much as 199 times the average compensation in their industries. In 2024, the CEOs of Air Canada, CN, CPKC, Rogers, Bell, and TELUS received…

Employers cheer Bill C-39 restrictions on the right to strike

OTTAWA — Employer groups are welcoming Bill C-39’s new powers to end legal strikes. Canada’s unions say their reaction exposes the contradiction in the government’s claims about “strengthening” workers’ rights. “When large corporations are cheering new government powers to shut down legal strikes, workers should be alarmed,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Bill C-39 gives one…

Take a stand and Rise Up! for Gender Justice with Canada’s Unions

Statement from Siobhán Vipond, Executive Vice President, to mark Gender Equality Week 2026: Across Canada, workers are taking decisive action to fight for gender justice in every sphere of our lives. At a time of worsening economic uncertainty, never ending trade wars and an alarming trend of anti-worker and anti-human rights legislative actions, women and gender diverse workers are too…

Airport privatization will cost Canadians, warns CLC

Statement from Lily Chang, Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress: “Private investors don’t put billions into airports unless they expect to make billions back. The government is pointing to Australia as its model, and we’ve already seen the results there: higher costs for passengers and airlines, pressure on workers, and more airport revenue flowing to private investors. Canada’s airports are…

Airport privatization would cost workers and passengers, CLC report warns

OTTAWA — Privatizing Canada’s airports would put upward pressure on the cost of flying and put airport workers at risk, according to a new report from the Canadian Labour Congress, released ahead of next week’s Canada Investment Summit. Public Runways, Private Profits: Why Airport Privatization Would Be Risky and Costly for Canadians examines airport privatization in Australia, New Zealand, Portugal,…

CLC warns Labour Code report leaves door open to restrictions on the right to strike

OTTAWA—CLC President Bea Bruske issued the following statement: “The government’s What We Heard report reflects what workers and unions have been saying throughout the Labour Code review, but it also leaves the door open to proposals that would give government more power to intervene in strikes and restrict workers’ bargaining power. Canada needs stronger labour laws that protect the right…