Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress

Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress

OTTAWA — “The Bank of Canada has now been found twice in two weeks to have broken Canada’s anti-scab law. Parliament passed this law to protect workers’ right to strike and ensure collective bargaining is fair. When employers use scab labour, they undermine that fundamental right. The Bank of Canada should immediately stop using scab labour, comply with the Canada…

Letter to the Prime Minister: Call for federal acknowledgement and apology for Canada’s role in the trafficking of enslaved Africans

Dear Prime Minister, On behalf of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), which represents over three million workers across Canada, I am writing to you today about a matter of historical and moral importance. On March 25, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans a crime against humanity. Canada abstained. At least four…

New poll: Canadians draw a line: protect workers, don’t restrict strikes

National Pollara survey finds strong cross-partisan support for the worker protection measures under review, concern that large corporations have too much power, while the proposal to make workers wait longer before striking receives no net support OTTAWA — As the federal government reviews the Canada Labour Code, new national polling conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights for the Canadian Labour Congress…

Statement from the Canadian Labour Congress in Solidarity with Striking BC Nurses

Canada’s unions and the more than 3 million workers we represent stand shoulder to shoulder with BC’s nurses. The breaking point has been reached. Like all workers in healthcare, nurses report chronic staffing shortages, unsafe working conditions, rising workplace violence, and wages that fail to keep pace with the realities of the job. They are now sending a clear message:…

Elbows up for Canada Day: A better deal for a stronger Canada

OTTAWA – CLC President Bea Bruske issued the following statement on Canada Day: This Canada Day, we must stand firm against the Trump administration as we begin negotiations on the future of CUSMA. A new agreement should strengthen, not weaken, our ability to invest in Canadian industries, protect public services, uphold strong and enforceable workers’ and labour rights, and expand…

Canada’s unions support stronger action on forced labour, reject Trump’s tariff pretext

OTTAWA – Canada’s unions support stronger measures to keep goods produced with forced labour out of Canada, but reject attempts to use workers’ rights as a pretext for a trade war. “Forced labour is a fundamental violation of workers’ rights,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Workers in Canada should not be forced to compete against exploitation,…

Statement From CLC President Bea Bruske On Senate Report: Keep Canada Moving

OTTAWA—Workers are the backbone of Canada’s supply chains. They are the people who keep them moving every day. And we know that a strong economy depends on strong collective bargaining and strong workers’ rights. As Canada looks for ways to strengthen supply chain reliability, we must not lose sight of a fundamental principle: the right to strike is a human…

Canada’s unions helped secure a historic ICJ ruling affirming the right to strike, warn against weakening Canada Labour Code

OTTAWA, ON – The Canadian Labour Congress helped secure a historic victory for workers at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) yesterday, as the world’s highest court affirmed that the right to strike is protected under international law. “This is a victory for workers everywhere,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “The world’s highest court has made…

Canada’s unions gather in Winnipeg to set workers’ agenda in uncertain times — The CLC’s 31st constitutional convention

WINNIPEG — As Canada’s unions mark 70 years of collective strength, thousands of delegates, activists and labour leaders will gather in Winnipeg from May 11 to 15 for the CLC 31st Constitutional Convention. Taking place at a critical time for workers and their families, this Convention will bring together the voices of more than three million workers to set the…

Statement from Bea Bruske: Canada’s unions call for de-escalation and diplomacy in Iran

The Canadian Labour Congress, through its affiliation with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), has long stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Iranian workers in their fight for democracy, dignity, safety, and the fundamental right to organize. Our solidarity is rooted in the shared understanding that working people everywhere deserve livelihoods free from fear, repression, and violence.  The CLC stands in unwavering support…