“Workers need bold action that lowers costs, protects jobs and strengthens the public services families rely on,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “Canada’s unions welcome the positive steps announced today and will work hard to get real results for working people.”

In particular, the Canadian Labour Congress welcomes the major investments made in the development of new skilled trade workers in Canada. “This is a smart investment in the future of our country,” said Bruske. “At the same time, we need to see the government invest in building physical and social infrastructure so these skilled workers can be put to work in good, unionized jobs.” 

The CLC also welcomes the extension of special measures on Employment Insurance, providing up to five additional weeks for eligible workers, including extra support for seasonal workers. The government must build on these temporary measures with significant and permanent updates unions have been calling for.  

One area of concern for Canada’s unions is signals pointing toward increased privatization of Canada’s airports. Public infrastructure must remain in public hands. Privatization risks higher costs, weaker accountability and puts good union jobs at risk.

With an improved fiscal outlook in the government’s Spring Economic Update, the CLC is once again calling on the government to pause and reverse its planned cuts to public service jobs and invest in improving services to Canadians. 

“At a time when we’re experiencing job losses due to the Trump trade war, we should not be adding to the ranks of the jobless through cuts, or reducing the services that Canadians rely on,” said Bruske. “Without real investment in the care economy, wages, staffing, and public delivery, inequality will continue to grow.”

Bruske stressed that any new economic strategy must put workers at its centre by:

• Protecting and creating good union jobs in every sector; 
• Supporting workers facing layoffs and economic disruption; 
• Investing in strong, accessible public services, including the care economy and housing; and
• Taking on corporate practices that are driving up costs for working families. 

“Workers built this country and they will build what comes next,” added Bruske. “We are ready to work with government in meeting the significant economic challenges that the country is facing.”

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

The post Spring Economic Update response: Workers need real results now appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

On April 28—the National Day of Mourning—workers across Canada come together to remember those killed, injured or made ill from incidents in the world of work, and to recommit to fighting for all workers’ safety and wellbeing. This year, we are shining a light on the growing toll of workplace stress, burnout, and psychological injuries, and honouring those we have lost by suicide and other means, including workers whose lives were taken by work-related psychological harm. In Canada, psychological health and illness are now the number one cause of disability.

“Workers are already bearing the weight of the ongoing affordability crisis, a trade war that no one asked for and mounting geopolitical instability. The news cycle reminds us daily of the pressure workers are feeling: rent is unaffordable, groceries cost too much, public services are stretched thin, and job security is increasingly fragile,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Going to work should not add significant stress to workers’ lives, and yet almost half of workers report that their job is the most stressful part of their day. This is completely unacceptable. This is not about individual resilience; it is about workplace conditions and the fundamental responsibility of employers to ensure the health and safety of workers.”

The reality facing workers is urgent. Indeed, nearly half of workers say their job is the most stressful part of their day. In 2023 alone, more than 8,500 workplace mental health injury claims were accepted by compensation boards, but the true number is far higher, as many cases go unreported.

The most affected sectors include health care, education, public services, and the skilled trades: sectors where workers are under increasing pressure due to understaffing, high workloads, and exposure to violence and harassment.

“Every worker in Canada has the right to safe work—both physically and psychologically,” said Bruske. “We know how to control physical hazards in the workplace. We must treat psychosocial hazards with the same seriousness as any other workplace hazard; no different than working at heights or exposure to toxic substances. Every workplace should have a plan to identify risks, prevent harm, and protect workers’ psychological health and safety.”

Psychological health and safety is already recognized in law across Canada, and Canada has ratified ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment at work. Canada’s unions are calling on all levels of government to act: to treat psychological health with the same urgency as physical health in occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation systems; to implement a national approach to preventing psychosocial hazards based on CSA Z1003; to require proactive risk assessments and prevention plans; and to ensure strong enforcement through inspections.

“Workers are being asked to carry more and more, while supports fall behind,” said Bruske. “Work should not make people sick. No one should have to sacrifice their mental health to earn a living. Employers have a responsibility to make work safe, for both body and mind.”

The post Day of Mourning: Psychological health and safety is a workplace crisis we can’t ignore appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

The collapse was due to a failure in the building structure, which did not meet safety codes and expanded without a permit. The day before the collapse, workers observed large cracks in the walls and pillars of the building. Despite warnings and evidence of structural failure, workers were pressured, threatened with wage cuts, or forced by management to enter the building. 

The search for survivors lasted for 19 days with a confirmed death toll of 1,134 and 2,500 injured. It is considered one of the most lethal structural failures in modern history and is the deadliest industrial accident in Bangladesh. 

Three weeks after the collapse, the Bangladesh Accord for Building and Fire Safety was created by more than 200 global brands and trade unions to ensure safety in Bangladesh’s garment industry through mandatory, independent inspections, repairs of more than 1,500 factories. 

In 2021, the agreement expanded to cover Pakistan with the formation of the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, a legally binding agreement on building and fire safety between 140 brands, South Asian garment unions, and the global trade union federations IndustriALL and UNI Global Union. 

Workers and unions are supporting the renewal of the global accord to 2029 and are calling to expand its reach further to include garment workers in the MENA region, a rapidly growing manufacturing hub. Garment workers in the MENA region experience violations including wage theft, gender-based violence, unsafe working conditions, and restricted freedom of association. 

Workers are also calling to expand the Accord’s coverage beyond the garment sector to include furniture and informal sectors. 

Thirteen years after Rana Plaza, health and safety conditions in Bangladesh factories remain a top concern, as evidenced by the devastating fire on April 4 at a gas lighter factory near Dhaka that killed 5 workers. 

In November 2025, Bangladesh became the first Asian country to ratify all 11 ILO fundamental instruments. Workers and unions are calling for the implementation of these standards, in particular the core conventions on health and safety C187, C155, as well as C121, the Employment and Injury Benefits Convention and C190, the Violence and Harassment Convention. 

Trade unions are also waiting to see if anticipated labour reform will address and improve issues of inspections, minimum wages, freedom of association and the registration of trade unions. 

Canada’s unions mark this sad anniversary with the commitment to continue working to improve worker rights and to call on the government of Canada to create mandatory due diligence legislation to ensure Canadian companies uphold worker rights in their supply chains. 

We stand in solidarity with Bangladesh workers and trade unions in marking this solemn day.

The post Rana Plaza: 13 years on—remembering the workers, renewing the fight for safety  appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Workers need immediate, tangible, practical solutions that protect their jobs and make their lives more affordable.

We are in a jobs crisis, losing private sector jobs to the Trump trade war and public sector jobs to government cuts. We agreed that the NDP must fight for jobs in every sector of the economy. The party of workers must be the party of good jobs.

We met at Salisbury House in Elmwood-Transcona, a working-class riding the NDP lost to the Conservatives last year. We talked about what it will take to rebuild trust with communities like this. It was a great discussion, and I look forward to seeing him in action.

The post Statement from CLC President, Bea Bruske, on new NDP leader Avi Lewis appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

There is no domestic supply shock in Canada. The cost of refining gasoline here has not suddenly increased. Yet prices at the pump are rising exponentially, and workers are paying the price.

We’ve seen this before. After the invasion of Ukraine, global oil giants posted record profits, nearly $1 trillion worldwide in 2022, while families struggled with rising costs.

When global instability drives up fuel and transportation costs, it doesn’t just show up at the gas pump. It raises the cost of groceries, heating, and everyday essentials. And it’s working families who are feeling it most.

The federal government may not control global oil markets, but it must act decisively to protect Canadians from the worst impacts with timely relief.

Canada’s unions are calling for three immediate steps that would make a real difference:

1. Expand supports targeted at working-class Canadians, including the Canada Workers Benefit and grocery-related affordability measures.
2. Introduce a ‘fuel rebate’ to help consumers cope with rising energy costs. Relief should be targeted, timely, and focused on those who need it most. 
3. Summon the CEOs of Canada’s largest oil companies to Ottawa to explain how they are going to hold down gasoline prices at the pump. Canadians deserve transparency and accountability on pricing, especially at a time when many corporations continue to make record profits.

While provinces have primary jurisdiction over regulating gasoline and heating prices outside of national emergencies, that cannot be an excuse for inaction. All levels of government must work together to protect Canadians from rising costs.

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

The post Canada’s unions call for immediate action as global oil shock drives up costs for Canadians appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

However, the plan does not yet reflect the forward-looking vision required by legislation. As a vision achieved through genuine collaboration and meaningful engagement, it’s imperative for the government to provide greater clarity on how it intends to implement the priorities outlined, and on how it plans to work with the Council.

In particular, the Council welcomes further detail on how the government plans to support the creation and protection of sustainable jobs across Canada, how workers and their communities will be supported as the economy continues to change, and what substantive role the Council will play in advancing this work going forward.

For this effort to succeed, the Council and Canadian stakeholders must have an active and ongoing role in both implementation of the plan and in ensuring that workers’ concerns are fully addressed.

The Council is proud of its first annual report and the 32 recommendations it contains. Those recommendations were shaped directly by workers, their families and their communities affected by the transition, including workers at CAMI plant, whom the Council met with on the day the plant closed. We were disappointed not to see those recommendations reflected in the current plan. Workers showed up. The Council showed up. We encourage the government to do the same.

We will continue to advocate for the implementation of those recommendations, but advocacy without a genuine seat at the table has its limits. Ongoing engagement with the Council and meaningful social dialogue must be central to the development and implementation of Canada’s sustainable jobs plan. This means policies that drive economic growth, create demand for sustainable jobs, protect workers and communities through decarbonization and economic transformation, and support workers through accredited upskilling and reskilling, underpinned by strong social protections and an unwavering focus on good quality, skilled jobs.

The Council will continue its work on the development of recommendations and their implementation into an ambitious and effective sustainable jobs plan.

About the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council

The Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council is an advisory body to the federal government established to consult with Canadians and provide guidance on the creation and protection of sustainable jobs across Canada as the economy transitions.

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To arrange an interview, please contact:

Michelle Llambias Meunier
Co-Chair
asdesroches@cpq.qc.ca

Lionel Railton
Co-Chair
lionel.railton@icloud.com

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

The post Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council Responds to Canada’s 2026 – 2030 Sustainable Jobs Action Plan appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

By Siobhán Vipond, Executive Vice-President, Canadian Labour Congress and Mitzie Hunter, President and CEO, Canadian Women’s Foundation 

With global trade in turmoil and economic instability reshaping the world, the Carney government has promised strategic support for key sectors to strengthen Canada’s economy. Without bold, sustained investment in the care economy, those efforts will fall short. 

The inclusion of the care economy in the recently announced Workforce Alliances is a step forward. Still, past decisions like the lapse of the Sectoral Table on the Care Economy—on which we had been tapped to serve—gaps in the latest federal budget, and allowing progress toward national $10-a-day child care to stall, raise serious concerns. 

Any funding directed toward the care economy must be recognized and treated as what it is: an investment in a powerful economic engine, and a foundation that supports every other strategic sector. 

Care work, performed primarily by women, and disproportionately by Indigenous, racialized, immigrant, and migrant women, is what allows the rest of our economy to function and thrive. Without child care, parents can’t work. Without long-term care and home care, families are pushed out of the workforce. Without nurses, teachers, personal support workers, and early childhood educators and assistants, there is no productivity, no innovation, and no economic growth. 

That is why Canada needs a comprehensive federal strategy to support and invest in the care economy.

Paid care jobs generate at least 13% of Canada’s GDP and account for 22% of all jobs. Unpaid care work, such as caring for children, aging parents, or people with disabilities, is worth up to $860 billion, or roughly 37% of Canada’s GDP. That is more than the combined contribution of manufacturing, wholesale, and retail. 

As Canada’s population ages and care needs grow, the care economy is projected to become one of the country’s largest drivers of economic growth and job creation. 

Investments in care deliver real economic gains. Studies show that Québec’s child care system, the most supportive in Canada, generates $1.75 in provincial and federal tax revenue for every dollar invested. That is clear proof of a successful public program.   

Prime Minister Carney has spoken about strengthening Canada’s economy through investment. An effective strategy must recognize that people are our most important asset. That means universal access to affordable, high-quality public and not-for-profit care services so people can work, learn, and live in dignity. It means good jobs with safe working conditions. And it means recognizing care workers—paid and unpaid—as essential to Canada’s economic resilience. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, care workers were hailed as heroes while enduring burnout, chronic understaffing, and the deadly consequences of years of austerity and privatization. Many left the sector. Some became seriously ill. Some lost their lives. We cannot forget these consequences, nor can we move forward without addressing their root causes. 

Six years later, demand for care continues to rise, while workforce shortages deepen. Women continue to bear the burden, scaling back paid work, turning down promotions, or leaving the workforce altogether to fill gaps in child care, elder care, and disability supports. 

Now is the time for ambitious, nation-building conversations about the care economy as a foundation for how Canada can weather the multiple economic crises at our doorstep, including the uncertainty created by a rapidly shifting global economic order. 

Canada’s unions and women’s rights organizations are ready and willing to partner with this government to strengthen Canada’s economic resilience and independence through a visionary, world-class care investment strategy. 

To arrive there, Canada needs a Care Economy Commission: a coordinated, cross-sector initiative mandated to develop concrete recommendations to grow the care economy sustainably, ensure decent and dignified jobs with livable wages across all care sectors, strengthen protections and fairness for caregivers, and guarantee access to care for everyone in Canada. 

If this government truly intends to fortify Canada’s economic sovereignty, it must begin where real economic strength starts: with care. 

Women’s economic justice and Canada’s economic security—two sides of the same coin—depend on it. 

The post The Care Economy Is Canada’s Untapped Economic Superpower appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

With more than 240 organizations and 370 business and industry delegates participating in the Team Canada Trade Mission to Mexico, labour was not meaningfully included in shaping Canada’s trade strategy with Mexico, even as workers face significant economic instability and restructuring.

“Trade deals shape jobs, industries, public services and entire communities. Workers must have a seat at the table for any trade missions and negotiations to be truly meaningful,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Any trade strategy or deal Canada makes must benefit workers and support long-term growth through a worker-centred economic strategy. Trade must be a tool to build Canadian industry and good jobs, not an end in itself.”

Bruske added: “If a trade deal doesn’t put workers and Canadian jobs first, we are better off without it.”

Unions are calling on the federal government to anchor Canada’s trade approach in three core principles.

First, trade must be worker-centred and enforceable. Canada must insist on strong labour chapters with real penalties, including robust health and safety protections, safeguards for women and migrant workers, and clear measures to address gender-based violence at work. Labour standards cannot be symbolic: they must be enforceable and backed by real penalties.

Second, Canada must preserve its policy and regulatory space. Trade negotiations must strengthen—not restrict—our ability to build domestic manufacturing, expand value-added production, tax multinational corporations fairly, regulate artificial intelligence in the public interest, meet climate commitments, and expand public services.

“Government investments must come with clear conditions: good union jobs, community benefits, Buy Canadian procurement policies, and guarantees that jobs stay in Canada,” said Bruske. “Canada must not trade away economic sovereignty for market access.”

Third, public services must be protected. Trade agreements cannot undermine public health care, child care, housing, transit, clean energy, or employment insurance. Strong public services are strategic assets that help communities weather economic uncertainty.

As Canada and Mexico deepen economic integration across advanced manufacturing, clean energy, critical minerals and AI, any partnership must benefit all workers in Canada and Mexico, not just corporations.

“Canada’s workers built this country’s prosperity. They expect their government to advance worker-centred, worker-first trade, and labour must be at the table,” said Bruske.

The post Statement from Bea Bruske: Canada’s unions must be at the table in trade talks appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Public country-by-country reporting would require large multinational corporations to publicly disclose where they generate profits, where they employ workers, and how much tax they pay, using data companies already submit privately to tax authorities.

Despite collecting this information, Canada keeps it out of public view, unlike in the European Union and Australia. As a result, $22–25 billion in corporate profits are shifted out of Canada every year with little scrutiny, weakening workers’ bargaining power and draining revenue needed for public services and infrastructure.

WHAT:             Comment on unions’ demands for greater corporate tax transparency

WHEN:             By arrangement

WHO:               DT Cochrane, senior economist at the Canadian Labour Congress 

QUOTE:

“We were told cutting corporate taxes would lead to more investment and better jobs. Instead, corporations shifted profits into tax havens and paid out shareholders, while working families were left behind. Public country-by-country reporting would shed light on how corporations avoid taxes. The data already exists, other countries have acted, and it’s a no-brainer for Canada to follow suit.” —DT Cochrane

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

The post Unions Call for Corporate Tax Transparency as Billions Shift Offshore appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

A 2020 report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights noted prevalent discrimination in Canada’s policies and laws related to hazardous substances and wastes, stating: “there exists a pattern in Canada where marginalized groups, and Indigenous peoples in particular, find themselves on the wrong side of a toxic divide, subject to conditions that would not be acceptable elsewhere in Canada.” This pattern is called environmental racism, and it has a long history in Canada.

Residents of African Nova Scotian communities like Africville, Shelburne, and Lincolnville have been subjected to it – exposed to sewage systems, landfills, toxic waste, and other pollutants placed in their communities.

This is not just a part of history. Environmental racism springs from deep and ongoing structural inequities that have left communities with few resources and protections over many generations. Today, Black workers and communities continue to live with the consequences of economic and social policy decisions rooted in systemic racism that have resulted in their greater exposure to environmental hazards.

Policy decisions often disregard the long-term environmental, social, and economic costs shouldered by the communities most impacted by these decisions. For Black, Indigenous, racialized, and marginalized communities, the outcome has been exposure to higher rates of pollution and contamination, causing great harm and reducing life expectancy. These communities are paying a high price for unjust policies impacting access to employment, income, housing, and health care.

“Climate change only deepens the injustices of environmental racism, and while all workers are increasingly dealing with its effects, not all of us are feeling it equally. Black workers are also contending with longstanding structural inequities, including discrimination and anti-Black racism and the income inequality that stems from these. This causes Black workers to be more vulnerable to the climate crisis on all fronts – both on the job and at home,” said Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive Vice-President.

With the development of its first-ever National Strategy on Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice, the federal government has an historic opportunity to make lasting change by ensuring meaningful consultation with Black workers and communities, as well as with Indigenous and racialized workers and communities; allocating sufficient funding for community-led solutions and investing to protect and create good, sustainable union jobs by aligning solutions with strong occupational health and safety protections; responding to urgent needs while also addressing systemic environmental racism; and collecting and using disaggregated race-based data to develop good policy that effectively addresses risks and structural inequalities. 

Black workers’ survival and well-being depend on equitable access to good, safe jobs, as well as government action to address the root causes of income inequality and the climate crisis. Join our calls and send a letter today to the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature and urge government to take swift action to develop and table the National Strategy and combat environmental racism faced by Black workers and communities.

And sign up to learn about, receive updates and get involved in our Future That Works campaign, a worker-centred campaign for a sustainable, equitable and climate-resilient future!

The post Black History Month: Unions demand action on environmental racism appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

In our view, the CORE’s final report on our complaint reflects an approach that undermines this would-be watchdog’s mandate to such a degree, it is difficult to conceive of any human rights abuse it would deem to have jurisdiction to investigate. This is why the USW and the CLC sought a judicial review of this decision.

On Oct. 6, 2025, the federal court dismissed our application for judicial review of the CORE’s final report, ruling that the ombudsperson’s findings are advisory in nature and therefore not justiciable. In his determination, the Honourable Justice Gleason wrote “[…] the CORE has no authority to compel participation in a review or to impose consequences that will impact upon any individual, organization, or community. The CORE is essentially an advisor […]”

Our overall experience with this complaint, including the result of the judicial review, has exposed the ineffectiveness of this office and further strengthens our position that the office of the CORE desperately needs genuine independence and legal powers to fulfil its mandate. Ongoing failure to act in this regard will continue to exhibit the limited intentions of the government to ensure real corporate accountability for Canadian companies operating abroad.

As the Government of Canada considers its financial priorities, we will remind it of the commitment made to Canadians when the creation of the CORE was first announced in 2018. The CORE is a critical component of the government’s commitment to responsible business conduct and to human rights as it is Canada’s only non-judicial mechanism that independently investigates complaints of human rights abuses related to the activity of Canadian companies operating overseas and reports publicly on its findings.

Many Canadian civil society groups called for an ombudsperson office in reaction to the weak grievance mechanism under the National Contact Point (NCP) to handle specific instances where companies may have failed to comply with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprise and the UN Guiding Principles. The process under the NCP is voluntary and non-binding, which highlighted the need for an independent CORE with the power to compel evidence.

With no ombudsperson in place since May 2025, we are urging the government to honour its commitment to Canadians, to human rights and to those affected by the operations of Canadian companies overseas to ensure the CORE soon will be staffed with a new ombudsperson so that it can continue to do its vital work. Secondly, the CORE needs to be empowered with the independence and essential powers needed to effectively investigate allegations of abuse by Canadian corporations and to demand accountability.

The post Result of judicial review further strengthens the need for an empowered CORE to ensure corporate accountability of Canadian companies appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Bea Bruske, together with Veronica Nilsson, General Secretary of the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD, intervened in the virtual Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting, where both called for greater commitments from the G7 to a labour and employment agenda, including the adoption of concrete and measurable targets.

“G7 Labour and Employment Ministers must redouble their commitment and efforts to ensure respect for labour rights and promote decent work for everyone by following up on previous G7 commitments, specifically through robust engagement in the EWG and high-level political stewardship in the context of the LEMM,” said President Bruske to the G7 labour ministers at the virtual LEMM on December 3.

France will assume the G7 presidency in 2026, and the CLC will continue to work with L7 counterparts in calling for the centrality of labour issues to G7 priorities.

See the Statement: L7 demands G7 restore labour agenda amid concerns over future of employment track

The post 2025 Labour 7 continues to raise concerns about the G7 labour and employment agenda appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Despite providing vital, life-changing services to survivors of violence, their families,
and communities across the country, Canada’s GBV sector remains severely
underfunded and faces similar challenges to other women and gender diverse majority
workforces,” said Siobhán Vipond, Executive Vice-President of the CLC.

A groundbreaking new study on the GBV workforce outlined that this workforce is
primarily made up of women (89%) identified workers, with a large proportion (67%)
also identifying as a member of at least one other equity group. Unfortunately, the
systemic devaluation of this work, as well as the consistent and never-ending financial
precarity facing the sector, makes it impossible for far too many GBV workers to sustain
themselves and their families when compensation for these critical jobs fail to keep up
with the rapid increases in cost-of-living post pandemic.

In fact, one in four GBV workers in this study revealed that they experienced
consistent employment insecurity.

“The lack of consistent and reliable funding for the sector is pushing GBV workers to the
margins of an already worsening national affordability crisis facing us all,” adds Vipond.

In addition, GBV work is trauma-exposed work that carries significant occupational
health and safety risks. According to that same study, just over half of respondents
(56.2%) shared they feel emotionally exhausted and/or worn out due to their work, and
50% agreed the vicarious trauma negatively impacts their mental health and personal
life.

Canada’s GBV sector needs core, stable and adequate funding from governments to
protect occupational health, safety, and wellness of workers.

This is why Canada’s unions are calling for our federal government to develop a
workforce strategy for the sector, in collaboration with unions and sector organizations,
to improve wages, working conditions, and retention. This strategy must be part of
broader efforts towards comprehensive, long-term funding to sustain the feminist and
women’s rights organizations that provide life-saving services to survivors across the
country.

“Promises and half-measures are not enough; workers are ready to rise up for justice
for the GBV workforce, and demand that our elected leaders take action to meaningfully
support and sustain the gender-based violence sector,” said Vipond.

Learn more about the state of Canada’s Gender-Based Violence Workforce here.

The post Canada’s unions rise up for justice for gender-based violence (GBV) workforce appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Trans and gender-diverse workers are disproportionately impacted by violence and harassment, both at work and in our communities. Trans Day of Remembrance is a powerful opportunity to channel our grief towards justice by demanding that our federal government take action to end gender-based violence, and make work safer for all,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

The CLC’s research reveals that when compared to their colleagues, gender-diverse workers are 82% more likely to experience harassment and violence at work. Additionally, 73% of gender-diverse respondents stated they had experienced sexual harassment and violence in the last two years. 

This is why Canada’s unions are calling for the federal government to conduct a national public awareness campaign as part of Canada’s National Action Plan on Gender Based Violence. This must include a comprehensive and tripartite implementation strategy for ILO C190, the international convention asserting the right of all workers to a world of work free of all forms of gender-based violence. 

“When trans and gender-diverse communities continue to be disproportionately targeted by gender-based violence at alarmingly high levels, including harassment and violence in the world of work, we cannot afford inaction,” said Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive Vice-President.    

Labour’s solidarity in action means we will continue to show up: in our communities, in our workplaces, and in legislatures. We’re re-committing ourselves as trade union activists, allies, and supporters in the fight for justice for trans and gender diverse peoples towards an equitable and inclusive vision for our society. 

“From coast to coast to coast, workers are united against hate. With provincial governments—like Danielle Smith’s UCP in Alberta—attacking trans and gender-diverse people any chance they get, we must continue to take action against transphobia,” said Rousseau. “We strongly condemn the UCP government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to force through harmful bills that violate the rights of trans youth and their families. Our solidarity will never waver; when it comes to justice in the fight against transphobic hate, violence and gender-based violence in all its forms, we will win.”

—

Do you have a story to share on harassment and violence at work? Add your voice now, and help make work safer for all workers in Canada.

The post Canada’s unions stand in solidarity for Trans Day of Remembrance appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Attacks on the human rights of any community are deplorable, despicable actions, and the timing to table Bill 9, which uses the notwithstanding clause to restrict the rights of trans and gender diverse people across the province to access gender affirming care, is especially cruel to introduce in the middle of the Trans Week of Awareness 2025.

Canada’s unions recognize these tactics that undermine our fundamental human rights as coming from the same toolbox of strategies that, not even a month ago, attacked the rights of striking teachers in that province through the introduction of back-to-work legislation.

Shame.

Shame on Danielle Smith and her conservative government for blocking an already vulnerable community of Albertans from the basic set of rights afforded to all Canadians under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Canada’s unions are all too familiar with dirty tricks like Bill 9 from bad bosses like Danielle Smith’s government, who would rather scapegoat human rights than be accountable for the impacts of the hate-driven, anti-access and anti-care policies her government is continuously pushing through without a care to the real, human and moral costs of these attacks.

We must call it out for what it is: Bill 9 is an abhorrent use of legislation to evade accountability and undermine the human rights and dignity of trans and gender diverse Albertans. 

Make no mistake, an attack on rights of any kind will solicit a response and action from Canada’s labour movement. Unions across Canada are putting Danielle Smith on notice:

We will not stand idly by as an agenda of institutionalized transphobic violence and hate barrels forward, on the eve of the Trans Day of Remembrance no less. We recognize this political agenda for what it is: a shameful, purposeful exercise to undermine our collective fundamental rights and freedoms, including workers’ rights.

Our solidarity runs deep, and together as part of a broader movement to defend human rights and workers’ rights, from coast to coast to coast, we will band together, and we will win.

In solidarity,

Bea

Learn more about the implications of Alberta’s Bill 9 from our allies at EGALE Canada here: https://egale.ca/egale-in-action/alberta-bill9-nov18/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwOKxIRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAacOPjyqXyr5KZTEEZt-Tp4adzpO322HzMGoiMI2QRdWSSxVEVIiJbYKZCZNNQ_aem_oS7Pd9IQnJM_2KDfxF-jqQ

The post Statement of solidarity from Bea Bruske with Albertan communities impacted by Bill 9 appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“When it comes to defending Canadian jobs, this government needs to get its elbows back up. Trump’s tariffs and trade threats are putting Canadian workers on the line, and sitting on the sidelines won’t cut it. We need generational investments in housing and public infrastructure—built by union labour, using Canadian-made materials—to secure good jobs and keep prosperity here at home,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

“You can’t create jobs by cutting thousands of them,” said Bruske. “You can’t grow the economy by shrinking public services. Workers need a budget that invests in people and public infrastructure.”

“With no majority in Parliament, this budget is not a done deal—and Canadians don’t need an election,” said Bruske, “Canada’s unions are calling on the Liberal government to work with other parties to amend the budget to deliver the supports, investments, and safeguards workers need to withstand U.S. tariffs, protect Canadian jobs, and build lasting economic security. This is the moment for Parliament to stand up for working people.”

There are measures worth building on in the Budget, including billions in home building and infrastructure funding, the doubling of the Union Training and Innovation Program and the new $1,100 tax credit for personal support workers. These are exactly the kinds of investments working people need: ones that strengthen skills, raise wages, and improve care.

But to truly protect workers and our economy, we need more of that—and fewer cuts.

Parliament must come together to strengthen this budget: protect public services, strengthen health care, modernize Employment Insurance, ensure labour standards in our trade, close corporate tax loopholes, and make the generational investments in housing, infrastructure, and domestic production Canada needs to secure our economic future. Working people are ready to build that future.

“Workers have shown time and again that when Canada needs rebuilding, they step up,” said Bruske. “It’s time for our government to match that determination.”

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

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“Workers are doing their part to hold this country together, our elbows are up, but they’re being squeezed from every direction,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “This budget must invest in people and infrastructure”.

Bruske warned that balancing the books on the backs of working people would only deepen inequality and stall economic recovery.

“Any move to shore up Canada’s finances must be done fairly,” she said. “That means asking those who’ve made record profits and amassed the most wealth to pay their share—not cutting services or putting the squeeze on workers.”

Investing in people and communities

Canada’s unions are urging the federal government to launch a new wave of public investment focused on shovel-ready municipal and provincial projects—including housing, schools, transportation, public health, and child care.

“These investments must come with strings attached,” said Bruske. “They must create good union jobs, be community supporting, use Canadian procurement, and guarantee that the jobs stay in Canada for the long term.”

Budget 2025 should also build the next generation of public infrastructure including housing, transit and energy, expand early learning and child care, and make major investments in public health care, including pharmacare and safe long-term care.

“Blank cheques to corporations won’t solve the crises we face,” added Bruske. “Public dollars must deliver public good—good jobs, good wages, and the services working families rely on.”

Protecting jobs and preparing for the future

Canada’s unions are calling for a comprehensive job creation plan built around public infrastructure and a funded net-zero industrial strategy developed with unions. The plan should invest in clean energy, manufacturing, and retrofit programs while ensuring workers in high-emitting sectors can transition to new, secure, unionized jobs with fair wages and benefits.

To help workers through economic shocks, the government must also modernize Employment Insurance—restoring federal contributions, improving benefits, and lowering eligibility requirements—so that no worker falls through the cracks in the next downturn.

Fair taxation and fiscal responsibility

Bruske emphasized that real fiscal responsibility means ensuring everyone pays their fair share.

“Workers shouldn’t be asked to carry the burden of recovery while corporations hoard record profits,” she said.

Canada’s unions are calling for tax fairness measures, including:

• Public country-by-country reporting for multinationals;
• Maintaining the Digital Services Tax;
• Increasing the capital gains inclusion rate;
• Introducing wealth and windfall profit taxes; and
• Investing in the Canada Revenue Agency to close loopholes and enforce compliance.

“When corporations and the wealthy pay what they owe,” said Bruske, “Canada can invest in housing, health care, and good jobs for everyone.”

Housing for everyone

The rising cost of homes and rents is taking a toll on workers whose wages are not keeping up. Workers want their government to make serious efforts to combat financial speculation in housing, starting with taxing house-flipping and vacant properties to capture windfall real estate gains that go to the wealthiest Canadians. 

Canada’s unions are calling on the government to put in place ambitious and direct funding for the construction of new, non-market, affordable public housing, including social housing and co-ops for all, including Indigenous peoples, survivors of domestic violence, and people living with disabilities and particularly for marginalized groups.

Putting workers first

“Workers built this country, and workers will build the future,” said Bruske. “Budget 2025 must put people before profits—by investing in the infrastructure, jobs, and public services that make life more affordable and secure for everyone in Canada.”

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“Canada has an opportunity and a responsibility to be a voice for peace. In times of conflict, our commitment to diplomacy, international law, and human rights must guide our actions toward a just and lasting resolution,” said CLC President Bea Bruske in a letter to the Prime Minister in June, which also called for a complete stop to military operations in Gaza and the immediate facilitation of humanitarian aid.

See statement from the ITUC and Global Unions: Global unions demand recognition of Palestine

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“Canada’s unions are ready to work with government to make sure today’s announcement delivers for workers and for our economy. Ottawa‘s strategy must prioritize good jobs and better lives for workers their families. To succeed, we need we need a clear industrial strategy that coordinates across industries, regions, and different levels of government while bringing workers into the heart of decision-making. 

We want to work together to ensure that trade diversification efforts are not just about opening new markets, but about building the infrastructure and capacity here at home to succeed. That means major federal investment in warehousing, rail, ports, energy, and logistics, all delivered with prevailing wage requirements and strong labour standards. It also means supporting decarbonization so that Canadian exports can reach Europe and other markets without being penalized by carbon border tariffs.

The new ‘Buy Canada’ plan could become a powerful tool for strengthening our economy and creating demand for Canadian products. But we know from past experience that procurement rules only succeed if they are designed to prioritize creating and protecting good, unionized jobs. Otherwise, public money will flow into corporations and private hands without securing long-term benefits for communities and working people.

Workers welcome enhancements to Employment Insurance — this is a great move that if done right is an essential piece of building a resilient economy. As government moves ahead, it will be important to ensure these improvements cover everyone who needs them, including women, young people, and those in precarious or non-standard jobs.

There are always ways to find savings, but governments must remember that economic strength also depends on strong public services. Canadians need access to health care, child care, and housing that help bring down costs for families. Workers need confidence that Employment Insurance, skills training, and supports will be there when they are needed most. These investments make the economy more resilient and help families weather the shocks that tariffs, trade disruptions, and corporate decisions can bring. With unemployment rising and the job market deteriorating fast, now is the worst possible time for austerity and severe budget cuts to social programs and public-service jobs.

While today’s announcement is welcome, there are still some gaps that need to be addressed. For steel and aluminum producers, the absence of strengthened tariff rate quotas is a missed opportunity. Without this breathing room, workers and employers alike will struggle to adapt to fast-changing market conditions. On electric vehicles, relief for automakers must be tied to clear commitments: investments in Canadian production, guarantees for Canadian jobs, and support for the transition measures that unions are calling for. Canadians expect no less when billions of dollars in public funds are being put on the table.

The funding programs and worker supports announced today are important, but they will only succeed if they look beyond short-term reskilling. We want to ensure these tools prioritize upskilling, retention, and pathways to unionization so that workers can build stable, long-term careers in growing industries.

Canada’s unions will continue to push for a bold and comprehensive plan — one that connects today’s measures into a coherent industrial strategy, ensures public investments build Canadian capacity, and guarantees that the payback is measured in secure union jobs. We look forward to working with government to make that vision a reality, because that’s the only way to secure Canada’s future in a turbulent global economy.”

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Let’s be clear: capitulation hasn’t delivered Canada a single gain from Trump. Whether it was scrapping the digital services tax or making concessions on border security, giving in has only weakened our industries and hurt working people. Removing counter-tariffs now would once again hand Trump an easy victory while leaving Canadian workers and communities to pay the price.

Counter-tariffs are not symbolic. They are Canada’s line of defence in this escalating trade war. Unilaterally removing counter-tariffs now would betray the clear mandate Canadians gave the Prime Minister: fight back against Trump’s trade war and defend good Canadian jobs.

Caving to Trump is not an option. It’s time to hit back hard, to stand up for workers, and to deploy every tool available to protect our industries and our communities. Prime Minister Carney must use Canada’s considerable bargaining power to prevent the decimation of vital industries and the loss of thousands of good jobs.

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In this moment of deep economic anxiety, Canadians deserve leadership that listens to working people and puts their priorities first. Instead, the federal government is choosing to host a G7 Summit that’s out of step with the real struggles people are facing.

Inviting Donald Trump—whose track record includes open hostility toward workers and unions—is a slap in the face to the thousands of Canadians still waiting to hear whether they’ll have a job next week. At a time when our country is battling wildfires, rising inequality, and runaway housing costs, this move sends all the wrong signals.

We are also deeply concerned by the invitation extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the face of ongoing concerns about foreign interference and political violence targeting diasporic communities in Canada, this decision is not only inappropriate, it’s dangerous. Canada must send a clear message: political violence and foreign interference have no place on Canadian soil.

While millions in taxpayer dollars are being spent on this summit, workers are being told to tighten their belts. But we can’t build a just economy by cutting corners for communities while rolling out the red carpet for controversial world leaders.

The Canadian Labour Congress calls on the federal government to redirect its focus toward the people who build this country, keep it running, and deserve a future they can count on.

Now is the time to invest in good jobs, strong public services, and resilient communities—not empty pageantry.

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“The Canada Disability Benefit was a landmark initiative and legacy program left over by Canada’s last Liberal government,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “However, the benefit amount and current rollout plans fall significantly short of addressing the disproportionately high levels of poverty faced by persons with disabilities in this country.”

The CDB represents a critical step toward addressing these challenges, providing direct financial assistance to 1.6 million Canadians currently living in poverty—including workers with disabilities—and laying the foundation for a more inclusive economy. With unanimous passage in June 2023 and draft regulations published in June 2024, this new benefit is scheduled to roll out in July 2025.

However, concerns remain regarding the CDB’s low amount of only $200 a month, restrictive eligibility criteria, separate application process, and the risk of provincial clawbacks.

The CDB is a vital opportunity to reduce poverty, advance equity, and uphold the dignity of millions of people with disabilities in Canada. That’s why Canada’s unions are joining disability justice advocates across the country in demanding action from our federal government to ensure the benefit truly lifts people with disabilities out of poverty, including:

• Increasing the base amount—the benefit should lift disabled people out of poverty, providing an income that is above Canada’s official poverty line;

• Cutting the red tape—automatically enroll those already eligible for other disability benefits; and

• Ensuring there are no clawbacks—the CDB must be a top-up to other income and disability support programs for all levels of government.

“The ball is now in Prime Minister Carney’s court: it’s time to improve the benefit and increase access, now,” said Lily Chang, Secretary-Treasurer of the CLC. “By making the Canada Disability Benefit better, our government can solidify its legacy as a champion of fairness and equality, demonstrating leadership that resonates not only with those directly impacted but with all Canadians who believe in a society that leaves no one behind.”

Learn more about the campaign to improve the CDB, led by Disability Without Poverty, here.

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“Combatting all forms of anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate, whether it’s discrimination at work or in our society, is a trade union issue,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “Even as conservative politicians try to divide our country by scapegoating 2SLGBTQI+ communities, workers will continue to proudly unite against hate.”

2SLBTQI+ communities have been targets of record high levels of harassment and violence, both here in Canada and around the world.  According to Statistics Canada, in 2023 alone, hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation rose by 69% from the previous year. What’s worse, between 2016 to 2023, this number has increased by a staggering 388%.

In fact, the CLC’s most recent report on harassment and violence at work found that 73% of gender diverse workers experienced violence and harassment at work. That’s why the CLC is advocating for greater protections from harassment and violence in the workplace for all workers, including 2SLGBTQI+ workers. This includes lobbying our newly elected federal government to take action to end violence and harassment at work by fully implementing the International Labour Organization’s Convention 190, a global treaty to end this violence.

“Rising levels of anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate have a ripple effect in the workplace. This means 2SLGBTQI+ workers are increasingly and disproportionately impacted by harassment and violence at work,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice President of the CLC. “Unions have historically and will continue to play a crucial role in defending the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ workers, whether at the bargaining table or in the legislative halls. Everyone has the right to work safely, without fear of violence and harassment because of who they are or who they love.”

Join the CLC and take action to show your solidarity and defend the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ workers today: https://canadianlabour.ca/campaigns/pride-solidarity/#:~:text=Let’s%20come%20together%20to%20celebrate,today%20by%20adding%20your%20name.

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Canadians are struggling with the rising cost of living, a worsening housing crisis, a strained public health care system, and job insecurity in the face of global economic instability fueled by Trump’s tariffs. At the same time, we are seeing the cracks in systems meant to protect workers, like Employment Insurance, widen as too many are left behind.

The time for hesitation is over. Workers are counting on this government to deliver real investments in people, in public services, and in the good union jobs that sustain families and communities.

Canada’s unions, representing more than 3 million workers from coast to coast to coast, are ready to work with this new Cabinet. And we understand the stakes—and the urgency of bold action. Our economy cannot afford a wait-and-see approach, nor can we continue to rely on outdated structures or foreign markets. In this moment of economic uncertainty and mounting trade pressures from the United States, we need leadership that will meet the urgency of this moment with courage and ambition.

That means:

• Delivering public health care that includes universal Pharmacare and access to a doctor or nurse practitioner for every Canadian.
• Making life more affordable by tackling corporate greed and raising wages.
• Building truly affordable housing, not just promises and plans.
• Creating good union jobs in every region through investments in clean energy, manufacturing, and public infrastructure.
• Investing in public services that families rely on and reforming EI to ensure no worker falls through the cracks.

Canada’s unions will be holding the new Minister for Jobs and Families, Patty Hadju, accountable to the core priorities of Canada’s workers and the labour movement. Workers expect the Minister to take concrete action to raise wages, respect free and fair collective bargaining, improve workplace safety, and strengthen rights and protections for all workers—no matter how or where they work. It means ensuring that key reforms like the ban on replacement workers are implemented and enforced. And it means urgently updating our outdated Employment Insurance system so that no worker is left behind.

The role of Canada’s Minister responsible for Labour is not just symbolic. It is critical. This is the person tasked with upholding and advancing the rights of working people across the country. That role must be rooted in a firm, unwavering commitment to protecting workers—not serving corporate interests.

Among the new appointments, the Prime Minister has named a Secretary of State, John Zerucelli, for Labour to support the Minister responsible for Labour. While not a member of the Cabinet, this role must be carried with a focused mandate and work closely with the Minister to ensure that workers’ rights and protections remain a central pillar of the government’s agenda.

Now is the time for this government to show workers that their voices will not be ignored. Canadians are not asking for the impossible—they are demanding what is fair, just, and long overdue. Workers built this country, and they will drive our future. The decisions made in the days and weeks ahead will send a clear signal: either this government is prepared to lead with bold and decisive actions, or it will fall short of the moment. Canada’s unions are watching.

We are ready to partner in progress—but we will not hesitate to hold this government to account. Workers are not waiting, and neither can this government.

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No worker should risk their life just by showing up to work. Yet in 2023, 1,056 fatality worker compensation claims were accepted, in keeping with an average of over 1,000 workplace fatalities each and every year.

“Every workplace death is preventable,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Over 30 years after that awful day, such a high fatality rate is nothing short of outrageous. The families of those killed on the job are grieving – and they, alongside Canada’s unions, demand that our justice system hold negligent employers accountable through real and proactive enforcement of the Westray Law.”

The Law was passed in 2004, after a long fight led by the United Steelworkers, which allows for such employers to face criminal prosecution.

The Canadian Labour Congress demands:

• The appointment of dedicated investigators and prosecutors for workplace deaths and injuries, along with mandatory, standardized training for such positions;
• Ensuring Crown attorneys are educated, trained and directed to apply the Westray amendments to the Criminal Code;
• Mandatory training for police and health and safety regulators, supported by the necessary resources, on the proper application of the Westray amendments; and
• Mandatory procedures, protocols and coordination in every jurisdiction for police, Crown prosecutors and health and safety regulators.

“The passage of time has only underscored how unacceptable lax enforcement of the Westray Law is,” concludes Bruske. “Every worker’s life has value – and only real enforcement of the Law reflects that.”

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This year, Canada’s unions are calling for urgent action to address not only visible workplace hazards, but also those that can’t be seen. The mental health toll of unsafe, under-resourced, or stressful work environments is real. The effects of exposure to hazardous substances and poor indoor air quality can also have lifelong impacts. Just because an injury or condition doesn’t leave physical scars, doesn’t mean they’re any less life-altering.  

In 2023 alone, Canada saw 1,057 accepted workplace fatalities and over 274,000 accepted lost-time injury claims. These are not just numbers: they represent people whose lives were cut short or permanently altered. And these numbers only scratch the surface. Many more injuries and illnesses go unreported, unrecognized, and unsupported—especially when they are invisible. 

“This isn’t just about accidents—it’s about systemic failures,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “When corners are cut, when regulations are ignored or under-enforced, and when profits are prioritized over people, workers pay the price. The Westray Law exists to hold employers criminally accountable for workplace deaths caused by negligence. But without consistent enforcement, its power is limited. A worker’s life is not a business expense.” 

Young workers are especially vulnerable. Many are entering the workforce unaware of the risks that aren’t obvious; risks that can lead to lasting harm. Every worker has the right to know what they’re being exposed to, and every employer has the duty to provide a safe, healthy work environment. That includes protecting workers from invisible hazards and recognizing mental health injuries as valid and compensable. 

This year’s National Day of Mourning coincides with the federal election. Canada’s unions are urging voters to keep workers’ wellbeing in mind as they head to the polls.  

“Workplace injuries and illnesses are preventable; they are not just part of the job. Every worker deserves to return home safe and healthy at the end of their shift,” said Bruske. “So today, we mourn, but we also fight. We fight for the living. We fight for justice. And we fight for a future where no one risks their life or their wellbeing for a paycheque.” 

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The Rana Plaza industrial disaster, which killed 1,134 workers and injured thousands more, shone a spotlight on the lack of accountability of transnational corporations in providing safe and decent conditions for workers in source factories across their global supply chains. 

It inspired a global movement to demand that corporations take responsibility and provide safe workplaces, pay fair wages, allow workers to organize and join democratic unions and to bargain collectively. 

There have been some improvements to working conditions and to the development of national and global mechanisms to ensure the advancement of rights and protections. With global support, there were quick and effective responses to assess and address structural and safety conditions in thousands of factories following the Rana Plaza collapse, but today Bangladeshi workers are still languishing in conditions of poverty wages and unfair workplace conditions.  

Unions in Canada have worked on many fronts to ensure better working conditions for garment sector workers, including with partners in Bangladesh and with global and national allies. We have advocated for corporate accountability legislation and for mechanisms to bring complaints against Canadian companies for human and labour rights violations and environmental abuse in their overseas operations.  

In 2018, unions celebrated the launch of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), an office we had long called for to provide a pathway for people and communities affected negatively by the actions of Canadian companies to seek justice. Unfortunately, this office was never given what it needed to function as a powerful mechanism to address human and labour rights violations in the operations of Canadian companies abroad. We have also long advocated for mandatory human rights due diligence legislation that requires Canadian companies to prevent and address harms to people and the environment throughout their supply chain. 

Since 2016, workers have been loudly calling for global supply chain instruments at the International Labour Organization (ILO), where governments must comply with ratified labour standards in law and practice. We welcome the ILO’s 2024 guidance on living wages, which establishes global principles for defining, calculating and implementing living wages across diverse economic contexts. Trade unions continue to hold the Bangladeshi government to account at the ILO for not registering free and independent unions, for the ongoing harassment and violence against trade union leaders and activists, for the detention of workers trying to form unions, and for the failure to pay fair wages and provide employment injury insurance.  

Twelve years after Rana Plaza, Canada’s unions remain committed to supporting Bangladeshi workers and their demands for the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, the basics to allow workers to be heard, to be safe, and to be active social partners in improving living and working conditions for everyone. 

On the eve of the Federal elections, we call on the incoming administration to do all in its power to hold Canadian companies accountable and to ensure the respect of human and labour rights and the environment in their overseas operations, including: 

• To equip and empower the CORE with the investigatory powers, resources, and independence from government needed to effectively serve impacted people;  

• To adopt mandatory human rights due diligence legislation that requires companies to prevent the risk of harm to people and the environment throughout their supply chains and to put in place adequate procedures to minimize the risk, remedy any existing harm, and do everything in their power to prevent future harm; and 

• To support a United Nations Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights to regulate the activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises in international human rights law. 

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“Our public health care system is on life support,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Staffing shortages have reached a dangerous tipping point. Wait times for surgeries span months or even years. Millions of Canadians are living without access to a family doctor, and far too many must choose between paying for medication and covering basic needs.” 

Canada’s unions are calling out decades of underfunding, understaffing, privatization, and political decisions that have allowed corporate interests to flourish at the expense of everyday Canadians. 

“This didn’t happen overnight. It’s the direct result of choices made by politicians who prioritize tax breaks for the wealthy over investments in public health care,” said Bruske. 

Labour leaders underscored the rise in for-profit care, including the growing presence of American health care corporations operating in Canada.  

“Canada’s health care system was built on the principle that everyone deserves care based on need, not ability to pay,” said Barb Nederpel, President, Hospital Employees’ Union, who represents over 60,000 health care workers in British Columbia. “Our members are exhausted. They were called heroes during the pandemic, and now they’re working in a broken, overburdened system, without the support they need.” 

Canada’s unions are calling on all political parties, especially during this federal election, to commit to: 

• A national health workforce strategy that recruits, retains, and properly compensates health care workers; 
• A full, universal, single-payer Pharmacare program—no more delays or half-measures; 
• Reinvestment in public health, long-term care, and home care to meet the needs of an aging population; 
• An end to growing privatization that leaves patients behind and profits corporations. 

The message was clear: Canadians cherish their public health care system. It is a pillar of national identity and a foundation for a fairer society. 

“We don’t want American-style health care where people go bankrupt for getting sick,” said Bruske. “We want a system that puts patients before profits—and politicians who are brave enough to fight for it.” 

Despite this crisis, health care will not be a focus of this week’s federal leaders’ debate, an astonishing omission and a missed opportunity to address one of the most urgent issues facing Canadians today. Our leaders must stop ignoring the crisis and commit to fixing our health care system. 

Canada’s unions are demanding urgent leadership to fix the crisis, invest in care, and protect what generations of Canadians have built. 

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At a joint press conference today, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Bea Bruske and Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ) President Magali Picard called on the federal government to deliver urgent and robust support for affected workers, industries and communities.

“Over one million jobs. That’s what’s on the line. These reckless and unjustified tariffs from President Trump are a direct attack on Canadian workers, our industries and our economy,” said Bea Bruske. “Workers are watching. They want to know if their government has their back and is ready to fight for them. We need a plan to protect livelihoods, stabilize communities and stand up to the United States.”

With the U.S. expected to impose sweeping tariffs as early as this afternoon, Bruske emphasized the gravity of the situation, citing the 123,000 jobs in Canada’s steel and aluminum industries and over 587,000 auto and supply chain jobs at risk.

“These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet,” added Bruske. “These are real people, real families and real communities who are already stretched to the brink. The time for warnings is over. This is real, and we need immediate action.”

Beyond manufacturing and resource sectors, Bruske warned that the ripple effects of these tariffs threaten Canada’s broader economy, including critical jobs in healthcare and public services.

“Let’s be clear. When our economy suffers, public services are at risk. Cuts to healthcare and public care services always follow austerity. And right now, in the midst of an election, is not the time to slash support for the very public servants who keep this country running,” said Bruske.

The CLC and FTQ are urging all political parties to deliver bold commitments that put Canadian workers first, including:

• Investing in public healthcare and housing affordability
• Cracking down on corporate price gouging
• Making corporations pay their fair share
• Cutting off U.S. access to key Canadian resources—such as electricity, lumber, critical minerals and oil and gas—until tariffs are lifted
• Supporting communities through job protections and public service investments

FTQ President Magali Picard echoed Bruske’s call to action and emphasized the unity of Canada’s labour movement.

“This isn’t just an economic crisis, it’s a national emergency for workers and families,” said Picard. “We cannot allow our communities to shoulder the cost of a political game being played in the U.S. Canada’s unions are united. We are ready to fight—together—for the jobs, livelihoods and future of every worker in this country.”

Picard stressed the significance of the upcoming federal election and urged Canadians to hold their leaders accountable. “This is a defining moment for Canada. We need leaders who are prepared to go to the mat for workers—who won’t waver in the face of pressure from foreign governments or corporate lobbyists. The path forward will be hard, but if we act with courage and unity, we can protect our jobs, our industries and our communities,” added Picard.

Canada’s unions are united in this fight and will continue to press all levels of government to put working people first in the face of growing uncertainty.

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Liberal Leader Mark Carney’s comments today, stating that he would not expand Pharmacare, make it clear that he is siding with Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives instead of standing with Canadians.

Let’s be clear: this is a choice. A choice by Liberals and Conservatives to let corporations and Big Pharma keep profiting while workers and their families pay the price. 

Poll after poll shows that Canadians overwhelmingly support Pharmacare. 

Mr. Carney should uphold the Liberal legacy by following through on the Hoskins Report.

They still have a choice: they can stand with workers and immediately expand Pharmacare.

The NDP has been unwavering in its commitment to Pharmacare. Together, we fought to secure the Pharmacare Act, and we will keep fighting until all Canadians have access to a universal, fully public prescription Pharmacare program.

The fallout from these tariffs will be devastating; thousands of workers will lose their jobs and, with that, their workplace health benefits. Now is the time for leadership, not political cowardice. Canada’s unions have advocated for universal public Pharmacare for decades, and in this moment of crisis, we demand urgent action.

We are calling for the expansion of universal, single-payer public Pharmacare to immediately cover 50% of the most prescribed drugs with full implementation by 2027. 

Across the country, workers and their families are caught between aggressive U.S. trade threats, corporate price gouging, and increasingly strained health care and public services. 

The urgency for universal Pharmacare cannot be overstated—this is about ensuring that every Canadian, regardless of income or employment status, has access to the medication they need.

On April 28th, Canada’s unions will be closely watching to see which politicians stand with workers and which ones side with wealthy corporations.

The next government must be ready to take bold action from day one.

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

The post Canada’s unions call for immediate expansion of universal Pharmacare appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

With more than 9,300 jobs on the line, it is unacceptable that HBC is choosing to funnel up to $3 million in bonuses to executives and managers while denying severance to the very workers who built the company.

Canada’s unions stand in full solidarity with HBC workers and demand that the company reverse course immediately. This is not restructuring, it’s a betrayal. No executive should be pocketing bonuses while workers are left without a safety net.

HBC must honour its responsibilities to its workers, including wages, benefits, and severance. These are not optional.

This situation is yet another example of why Canada’s unions have long advocated for changes to federal laws like the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Pension Benefits Standards Act. For decades, we have fought to protect workers and ensure that they are not left at the back of the line when companies go bankrupt, forcing them to wait behind lenders, suppliers, and tax collectors for the wages, severance, and pensions they are entitled to. In 2023, following years of advocacy, the federal government successfully passed the Pension Protection Act, a crucial step forward. However, these vital protections will not come into effect until April 27, 2027.

We also call on the federal government to ensure that no worker falls through the cracks and that programs like the Wage Earner Protection Program are accessible without delay, and that no Employment Insurance benefits are clawed back in this process.

Make no mistake: thousands of workers at Hudson’s Bay are facing economic uncertainty thanks to corporate greed and government weakness. Every leader in this election must be asked what they will do to strengthen protections for workers and their livelihoods. Workers deserve respect, security, and the dignity of knowing they won’t be abandoned in a difficult economy.

Canada’s unions are watching closely. Hudson’s Bay must act with integrity. It’s time to put people before profit.

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

The post CLC statement: Hudson’s Bay hands $3M to executives and no severance to workers appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

This platform, for workers and by workers, outlines the urgent need for immediate action to protect Canadian workers and their families.

Bruske and McCormick will be joined by workers who will share their personal stories, emphasizing the real-life impacts of ongoing economic challenges.

“Workers are already doing everything right. They’re showing up, working hard, supporting their families, but President Trump’s attacks on Canada are putting their livelihoods at risk. And while their costs keep going up, they’re being left to fend for themselves. That’s unacceptable. We urge all political parties and candidates to make clear commitments to defend Canadian jobs and protect workers and their families from the crushing pressure of this economic war.”–Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress

“Workers have a lot at stake in this election. It’s time for us to demand that parties and candidates prioritize the needs of workers and their families. Through the Workers Together campaign, we’re standing up to corporate greed, pushing for fair wages, affordable housing, and policies that put people before profits.”–Jessica McCormick, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour

Event Details:

The press conference will highlight the platform’s key proposals and call for political parties and candidates to make clear, actionable commitments to support workers in this critical time.

WHO:

• Bea Bruske, President, Canadian Labour Congress
• Jessica McCormick, President, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour

WHEN: Monday, March 24, 11:00 a.m. NDT

WHERE: Delta Hotel, 120 New Gower St.—Salon E (Harbour View) and available on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85862493438

Interviews with all the speakers will be available on-site and remotely.

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

The post Labour leaders launch “Building a Better Future for Working People” platform appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Ivaco, a major Eastern Ontario employer, has slashed over 150 jobs in just two weeks—some permanently.

Workers and communities can no longer afford government inaction.

Event Details:

WHO:

• Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive Vice-President
• Jocelyn Bernier, President, USW Local 8794
• Richard Leblanc, USW Area Co-ordinator
• Bea Bruske, CLC President

WHAT: Support workers being hit with layoffs due to tariffs

WHEN: Wednesday, March 19, 2:30 p.m. ET

WHERE: USW Hawkesbury Union Hall, 212–250 Main St. E., Hawkesbury, ON

*Note that there will not be an audio box.*

Interviews with all the speakers will be available on-site.

Quotes

“There’s a growing sense of uncertainty for those workers, and it’s hard to plan for the future when there’s constant hostility. If Ivaco goes under, the entire community will face devastation. We need stability and immediate government actions, not just for the workers, but for the entire town to thrive.”

—Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress

“The company has pointed to tariffs and a lack of orders as the reason behind these job losses and disruptions, but the real issue is the unpredictability of the situation. This uncertainty is weighing heavily on workers, and it’s not just them who are affected. The future of this facility has a ripple effect on the entire local economy.”

—Éric Fournier, president of USW Local 7940, which represents 225 workers in Ivaco’s Rolling Mills, including the 120 workers affected by the temporary layoffs.

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

The post Government action needed as U.S. tariffs cause Canadian job losses appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

The appalling working and living standards faced by Bangladeshi garment workers compelled the United Steelworkers union (USW) and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to file a joint complaint to the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) against retailer Mark’s and its parent company Canadian Tire. 

The joint USW-CLC complaint was one of the first of its kind filed with the CORE, created by the federal government to investigate complaints of human rights abuses involving Canadian companies working in other countries in the garment, mining and oil sectors.

The joint USW-CLC complaint alleged that Mark’s acted in contravention of international human rights principles by paying workers in its supplier factories less than a living wage. Our complaint was rooted in our mutual, longstanding commitment to improving living and working conditions for Bangladeshi garment workers.

For over a decade, the USW and CLC have worked with Canadian trade unions and civil society allies to bring forward the voices and concerns of exploited workers to Canadian authorities, companies and consumers. In this context, there were high hopes that the Office of the CORE would investigate the allegations of human rights abuses in Mark’s Bangladesh supply chain.

The CORE initially agreed that it would investigate the claims made in our complaint in March of 2024. However, a drastic shift occurred a few months later, following the end of the mandate of the first appointed Ombudsperson, Sheri Meyerhoffer. On Dec. 23, 2024, the CORE published its final report, closing our complaint without investigating the issues we raised, and without recommending any follow-up actions to be taken by Mark’s.

In our view, the CORE’s report reflects an approach that undermines this would-be watchdog’s mandate to such a degree, it is difficult to conceive of any human rights abuse it would deem to have jurisdiction to investigate. As a result, the USW and the CLC are currently seeking a judicial review of the decision. 

The CORE final report, including our full comments on those conclusions, can be found here. 

It is worth highlighting that the Office of the CORE was created as a result of more than a decade of civil society advocacy for greater corporate accountability to address mounting evidence of human rights and environmental abuses caused by Canadian companies in their operations abroad.

However, the government failed to empower the Office with the independence and essential powers needed to effectively investigate allegations of abuse by Canadian corporations and to demand accountability. Therefore, even had the CORE proceeded with an investigation into the complaint against Mark’s, next steps would have been unclear given its lack of power to compel documents and testimony from witnesses. 

The drawn-out, resource-heavy process that characterized our complaint further strengthens the position of many Canadian civil society groups that the Office of the CORE desperately needs genuine independence and legal powers to fulfill its mission. Ongoing failure to act in this regard will further expose the limited intentions of the government to ensure real corporate accountability for Canadian companies operating abroad.

The post Abject failure: Canada’s would-be human rights watchdog leaves Bangladeshi garment workers languishing in poverty appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Just today, Trump announced yet another round of retaliatory tariffs on steel and aluminum, this time in response to Ontario’s energy surcharge.

“This is spiraling out of control, and workers across Canada are rightfully alarmed. They are looking to their government for urgent and concrete measures to shield them from job losses and economic uncertainty,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC.

Canada’s unions have sent a letter to Prime Minister Designate Mark Carney, pressing him and his incoming cabinet to take immediate steps to strengthen Employment Insurance (EI), particularly for high earners who are now at risk of layoffs. The federal government has yet to fully wield its authority under the EI Act, which grants it the power to launch pilot programs and allocate emergency funding through the EI Commission.

While the newly announced $6 billion aid package and EI reforms provide some short-term relief, they fall far short of the long-term security that workers and communities desperately need. This is a moment for bold leadership—workers cannot afford hesitation or half-measures.

“Canadian workers are under attack in an unprecedented economic trade war, and the government’s response simply does not go far enough,” added Bruske. “We need more than band-aid solutions. We need a comprehensive strategy that ensures no worker is left behind. The government must take decisive action, including imposing export taxes on Canadian energy, to demonstrate that Canada will stand firm in defending its industries and workforce.” 

The letter outlines key priorities to support workers and strengthen the economy, including:

• Expanding and strengthening Employment Insurance (EI): Ensuring EI benefits are more accessible and adequate for all workers. 

• Taking action to preserve good jobs: Implementing industrial strategies to protect Canadian industries and their workers from economic shocks and global instability. 
• Investing in Canada’s domestic economy: Supporting economic diversification, manufacturing, and sustainable industries to create stable, well-paying jobs. 
• Protecting and strengthening public services: Ensuring vital public services remain strong and publicly funded to support all Canadians. 

“This trade war has exposed serious vulnerabilities in our economy, and it’s workers who are bearing the brunt of the impact,” Bruske added. “The government must move beyond stopgap measures and commit to real investments that safeguard livelihoods and build a resilient future.” 

The Canadian Labour Congress urges the federal government to work closely with unions and labour organizations to develop a robust plan that prioritizes workers, secures jobs, and strengthens communities. Canada’s economic recovery depends on it. 

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

Link to the letter sent to the Prime Minister-designate available here. 

The post Canada’s unions to Carney: Protect workers from job losses and uncertainty appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Armed conflicts are causing enormous suffering and have devastating spillover effects at a global level. Trade unions of the Labour 7 stand in solidarity with people affected by wars on all continents, fighting for their freedoms, for social justice, for democracy, for their rights and those of future generations. The Labour 7 urges members of the G7 to overcome divisions and to reaffirm their commitment to uphold human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as to promote peace and respect for the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.

In recent months, the resources have been found to significantly increase military spending, when for more than a decade, public services have been starved of resources under wrongheaded fiscal consolidation and austerity policies. This armament race must not undermine social spending nor deprive countries and people of necessary investment in health, education, infrastructure, the ecological transition, job creation, skills development, and social protection. In G7 countries and beyond, inequalities are rising, essential public services are deteriorating, and the cost-of-living crisis, just like in-work poverty, remains a reality for millions of workers and their families. G7 members should commit to pursuing economic, employment and fiscal policies that promote collective bargaining and real-wage growth, decent job creation, the reduction of inequalities and a just transition to net zero economies. Urgent policies must be adopted to tackle all forms of discrimination, including those against women and vulnerable groups, LGBTQI+, ethnic minorities or people with disabilities.

The year 2024 was the warmest ever recorded and environmental disruptions are multiplying, with severe humanitarian, social, and economic consequences, including in G7 countries. Workers are on the frontline of the crisis, being exposed to both environmental degradation and worsening working conditions, as well as to the radical transformation of the labour market. The G7 and its members cannot look the other way—they must commit to net zero pathways based on science and must adopt Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that put a just transition founded on the protection and promotion of fundamental labour rights, including collective bargaining, at the centre. Gathering some of the biggest historic greenhouse gas emitters, as well as fossil fuel producers and consumers, the G7 must live up to its responsibility and commit to enhancing climate finance and advancing a just transition for the workforce, in line with the Paris Agreement and the ILO Guidelines of 2015.

As labour markets are profoundly affected by climate change, the advancement of artificial intelligence and demographic shifts, social dialogue is needed to make sure that the costs and benefits associated with these shifts are shared fairly across societies. Furthermore, as fundamental enabling rights, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining play an essential role in ensuring decent working conditions, including in enforcing living wages and non-discrimination, enhancing social cohesion, and boosting inclusive economic development. The Labour 7 urges G7 members to support workers’ efforts to organize and bargain collectively, both within G7 countries and beyond, as key enablers of sustainable development. The G7 must effectively follow up on previous commitments made, including those contained in the G7 Action Plan on artificial intelligence adopted in 2024.

At global level, however, evidence indicates that violations of labour rights are rising, as illustrated by the ITUC Global Rights Index. Countries are experiencing dramatic setbacks in development, with increases in poverty preventing access to education, health and the realization of other basic human rights, including gender equality. Most people living in extreme poverty have a job but do not earn a living wage. The majority of workers work in the informal economy, with almost one in two not benefitting from any form of social protection. This situation could be further exacerbated by trade wars. The G7 should promote a global level playing field, putting international labour standards at its core. In particular, G7 members must uphold ILO fundamental principles and rights at work, advance WTO trade rules that encourage the ratification and effective implementation of fundamental ILO conventions, and secure policy space for governments to promote decent work and enforce sustainable development commitments in trade agreements.

The global SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) financing gap continues to widen, despite alarming situations of underdevelopment and decent work deficits. If it continues to grow at its 2015–2023 rate, it will reach USD 6.4 trillion by 2030, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The politicization of, and severe cuts in, Official Development Assistance (ODA) are likely to accelerate this trend. Meanwhile the debt crisis intensifies, as 92 countries are projected to have spent more on external public debt service than on SDG investments in 2024. In this context, ahead of the 4^th UN Conference on Financing for Development (30 June–3 July 2025), the Labour 7 urges the G7 to deliver a clear commitment to reform the international financial architecture and to meet their commitment to dedicate 0.7% of their GNI to ODA. The Labour 7 calls upon the G7 to upscale both climate and development finance, including through increased public finance support and additional macroprudential tools on private finance, as well as through measures to lower the cost of capital for developing countries. For the L7, the 2025 Jubilee is an opportunity to advance and reach consensus on debt cancellation and sustainable restructuring of public debts.

This climate and development finance crisis is taking place despite the world growing richer and having the resources to meet internationally agreed objectives. However, global wealth has never been so unequally distributed. Today, the world’s richest 1% own more wealth than 95% of humanity. The concentration of wealth and increased corporate power have allowed large corporations to play an increasingly important—and destabilizing—role in the shaping of global rules and agendas. The Labour 7 urges the G7 to put the reduction of inequality, both between and within countries, at the centre of its work—including through fair and progressive taxation and the promotion of responsible business conduct. G7 members should endorse work undertaken by the G20 towards the adoption of a global wealth tax on the ultra-rich and promote a financial transactions tax as well as a windfall tax on multinational enterprises. They should also actively support the ongoing negotiations for the development of a UN Framework Convention on Tax, building on existing G20/OECD initiatives for tax coordination. The G7 should also scale up its work to ensure corporate transparency and accountability through the ongoing UN negotiations on a binding treaty on business and human rights.

The Labour 7 reiterates its willingness to work closely with the G7 to strengthen multilateralism. In these challenging times, transparent and meaningful engagement with G7 social partners, the Labour 7 and the Business 7, is more important than ever. We expect the G7 to stand by its principles and reaffirm its commitment to the values of international cooperation, democracy and human rights.

The post Labour 7 statement to the G7: Putting social justice at the heart of international cooperation appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Canada’s labour movement, alongside our allies in the feminist and women’s rights movements, are putting politicians from every party on notice this International Women’s Day: the time for gender justice is now,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

People in Canada are struggling to afford the basics, like food, utilities, and rent. Women continue to bear the brunt of the affordability crisis—especially Indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomer, young, and 2SLGBTQI+ women and women with disabilities.

In Canada, sixty percent of minimum wage workers are women, food insecurity remains highest among female lone parent families, and 90% of families using emergency shelters are headed by single women.

Women and gender diverse workers also face disproportionately high levels of harassment and violence in the workplace. Alarmingly, third-party violence in public‑facing and care sectors—jobs typically held by women—is happening at astonishingly high rates.

“It’s clear that our country needs serious leadership and action to cement the important gains on gender equity we’ve made to date. These include union-led wins like pharmacare, affordable child care, gun control, expanded parental leave, and domestic violence leave,” added Siobhán Vipond, Executive Vice-President of the CLC. “We can’t roll back on progress—we need political leaders to commit to keep pushing forward on the progressive change we need to realize a truly inclusive world of work for women and gender diverse workers in Canada.”

Women and unions see the writing on the wall: women’s rights and gender equity issues are facing serious political backlash both here in Canada and abroad. The upsurge of far-right extremism and reckless, misogynistic conservatism is threatening the vision for human rights and dignity that Canada’s unions have championed for decades.

That’s why this past September, Canada’s unions launched Workers Together, a campaign to bring working people in Canada together to fight back against regressive politics and elect a pro-worker government.

“Let’s Rise Up and call for real leadership from our next federal government on the issues that matter to workers and their families. Issues like fighting back on indiscriminate tariffs that put Canadian jobs at risk, investing in safe, affordable housing and decent jobs for everyone, the implementation of the National Action Plan on Gender‑Based Violence including the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work, and meaningful commitments to end the workforce crisis in care sectors,” said Bruske.

“We are inviting voters across Canada to join us in reserving our ballots for politicians that communicate a clear vision for the Canada we all deserve: one that is equitable, inclusive, and commits to promoting gender equity and women’s economic justice as central components of their platform,” said Vipond.

Take action to mark IWD 2025 by joining our campaign to put workers issues on the map this election. Let’s get to work: https://workerstogether.ca/action/#actionFormArea.

The post International Women’s Day 2025 – Workers are bringing gender justice to the ballot box appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Bea Bruske will be available for media interviews following the emergency meeting.  

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: 
WHO: Bea Bruske, President, Canadian Labour Congress 
WHAT: Media availability on emergency meeting on U.S. tariffs 
WHEN: February 26, 2025
WHERE: Bea Bruske is in Ottawa and the meeting is virtual

Key Policy Items to be Discussed at Canadian Council Meeting: 

• Immediate EI measures to protect jobs and incomes. 
• Halt to public service cuts and a plan to increase support for trade apprenticeship programs. 
• Necessary actions to tackle corporate greed, keep essentials and food affordable, and prevent price gouging. 
• Strengthening domestic industries, reducing reliance on U.S. trade and ensuring continued good union jobs.  
• Investments in critical infrastructure, health care, and education. 

QUOTES:
“As these tariffs roll in, workers must be at the heart of Canada’s response,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “There is no time to wait. Workers need a bold, worker-first strategy to respond to this crisis. Families are feeling anxious. Workers expect more from their governments. Workers need strong job protections, and a plan to safeguard communities.”

“These tariffs threaten good union jobs and entire industries. Canada must fight back with a comprehensive response that strengthens our economy, reduces reliance on U.S. trade, and ensures workers aren’t left behind.”

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

The post Canada’s unions holding third emergency meeting in response to U.S. tariffs appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Tariffs of this magnitude would devastate thousands of jobs in sectors critical to Canada’s economy — and destabilize families, communities, and industries across the country.

What:
Press conference: Standing up for workers, defending jobs and Communities, and fighting back against Trump’s threats

When:
Thursday, January 30, 9:30 a.m.

Where:
The USW office (68 Dennis St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON)
Or
via Zoom (Passcode: 927305)

Who:
Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress
Jagmeet Singh, Leader of the New Democratic Party
Marty Warren, USW National Director for Canada
Kevon Stewart, USW District 6 Director
Michael Da Prat, USW Local 2251 President
Bill Slater, USW Local 2724 President

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

The post Canadian Labour Congress, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, and United Steelworkers to address threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian jobs appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

The post Statement from the Canadian Labour Congress: Standing united against U.S. tariff threats appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Since the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, Canada has made important human rights gains. Fairer wages, safer workplaces, and freedom from harassment and discrimination are the rights of all individuals, regardless of background, identity, or status. While there is still a long way to go when it comes to ensuring these and other human rights are upheld for all, these rights are meant to ensure that anyone can live a life of safety, respect and dignity in this country.

“On this day, Canada’s unions are reminded of our responsibility to uphold the values on which the Declaration was built—equality, freedom and fairness. These are the very core of what our movement stands for. But it’s not enough to simply support or even promote these values and principles; we must actively combat the growing normalization of hatred, racism and xenophobia, and of human rights being under attack in Canada,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Across the country, we continue to witness a deeply concerning rise in hateful rhetoric and harassment. Reactionary far-right forces, emboldened by a climate of increased polarization and fueled by fear-mongering politicians, are attempting to roll back hard-won human rights. Their tactics are divisive: pitting workers and neighbours against one another, using scapegoating and stereotyping, and stoking the fires of racism, xenophobia and discrimination to steadily chip away at the solidarity that is the very foundation of our collective strength. Labour must continue to hold strong against these forces and remain steadfast in our commitment and action to make our workplaces, unions and communities places of safety and respect.

“Today, we call on all workers—unionized and non-unionized—to come together and take a stand against hate, racism and discrimination. As a movement and as a nation, we fought long and hard for these rights, and we’re not turning back now. Every inch of progress was won through determination, activism and solidarity. We’ve come too far to let the clock be rolled back, and we’re not just holding the line—we’re pushing forward, together, because the fight for human rights is far from over,” said Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive Vice-President.

Join us:

Get involved in our Workers Together campaign and fight for fairness for all workers

The post Human Rights Day 2024: Canada’s unions push back against rising hate appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Workers will advocate, propose solutions, and demand immediate action on three key priorities: making life more affordable, supporting workers, and strengthening Canada’s public health care system.

The rising costs, on everything, has imposed an immense strain on working families. Canada’s unions are urging the federal government to take decisive action to make life more affordable for Canadians.

“This isn’t just an affordability crisis—it’s an inequality crisis. Canadians are being squeezed from every angle, and the government has a responsibility to act now”, said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Housing, groceries, healthcare—these aren’t luxuries; they are basic human rights. It’s time for bold action to make life affordable and hold corporations accountable for their role in this crisis.”

Canada’s unions are demanding strong government actions that support workers and the economy. This includes expanding EI access, investing in skills training, strengthening the care economy, and improving workplace standards and union access to protect workers’ rights and ensure better working conditions.

Furthermore, Canada’s unions are demanding concrete actions to protect and strengthen our public healthcare system. From coast-to-coast, workers agree that healthcare must remain a universal right, driven by need—not by the ability to pay or private insurance coverage. The growing shift toward privatization threatens equitable access to care. People don’t need less access to care, they need meaningful investments in public healthcare.

“Every day, workers are feeling the pinch of higher costs, a strained and underfunded public health system with an exhausted and overburdened workforce, and inadequate workplace protections. Lobby Day is our opportunity for workers to bring these urgent concerns directly to decision-makers and demand action,” said Bea Bruske. “Canada’s unions are ready to work with the government to find solutions that will improve the lives of millions of Canadians.”

The post Workers rally on Parliament Hill, urging MPs to address families’ struggles. appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

The damage from such tariffs will not stop at the workplace. Families will feel the economic strain, and entire communities will suffer as good jobs disappear and opportunities shrink. This is not just a trade issue; it’s about protecting the future of workers and their families.

The federal government must take this threat seriously and act quickly. Workers are demanding leadership that prioritizes their well-being. We need decisive action to safeguard jobs, defend industries, develop an industrial strategy, and prevent working families from bearing the brunt of reckless and unnecessary trade policies.

This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for Canada and workers must be front and centre of any decision from the government.

Canada’s unions stand ready to fight alongside workers, unions, and communities to defend jobs and protect our shared future. In 2023, Canada imported 277 billion dollars from the United States. If the American government triggers a full-blown trade war, it’s workers on both sides of the border who will pay the price.

In the long term, the government must focus on a new industrial strategy for Canada to protect our workers from the whims of any US administration. 

We call on the government to send a clear message: we will not let our workers and industries become collateral damage, we will stand strong, act boldly, and prioritize Canadian workers.”

The post Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, on Trump’s tariff threat appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Canada’s labour movement will always advocate for the end of all forms of gender‑based violence. This includes ending the vile targeting of trans communities across Canada from far-right groups and irresponsible politicians who fear monger and drive hate, in an attempt to undermine human dignity and human rights,” declared Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Over the last few years, there has been a steady and alarming rise in transphobic violence and harassment across Canada. Statistics Canada’s most recent survey on the experiences of violent victimization found that trans people in Canada were more likely to experience violence and inappropriate behaviors in public, online and at work than cisgender people.

Canada’s unions have long been on the front lines of combatting all forms of gender‑based violence and harassment through our advocacy work in both the domestic and global context.

• In 2022, the CLC launched a national survey report on harassment and violence in the workplace that found 73% of gender-diverse respondents stated they had experienced sexual harassment and violence in the last two years. Since then, the CLC has called for concrete action from our federal government to address third party violence and harassment in the world of work through a tripartite process that brings employers, unions and governments together to develop a national strategy that addresses this urgent crisis.
• In 2023, unions celebrated Canada’s ratification of ILO C-190, the international convention asserting the right of all workers to a world of work free of all forms of gender-based violence. However there has been little progress achieved since then, and unions continue to urge our federal government to work with provincial and territorial counterparts and fully implement this convention as part of a comprehensive National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence in Canada.

“Whether it is on Parliament Hill, at the legislature, in the workplace or in our communities, Canada’s unions will always fight against transphobic violence and harassment for a world of work and a society free of gender-based violence for all,” said Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive Vice-President.

Take Action:

You can take action to mark TDOR by committing to trans inclusion in your workplace. Check out this CLC resource to support your efforts:

• Workers in Transition: A Practical Guide for Union Representatives and Trans Union Members

The post Canada’s unions continue to fight against transphobic violence appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Workers are being left behind while corporations rake in record profits; this is not fair.

Too many Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. This is not just about port workers; it’s about an economic system where the gap between the wealthy and working people continues to grow. Workers are simply fighting for fair wages, job security, and safe workplaces—basic rights that should never be up for debate.

No one takes the decision to strike or endure a lockout lightly. Workers are left with no choice when employers refuse to engage in fair negotiations, especially when those same employers have enjoyed windfall profits during the pandemic.

Despite their record-breaking profits during the pandemic, port employers have refused to engage in good-faith negotiations, pushing workers to the brink. Now, by resorting to binding arbitration under section 107, the government is sending a dangerous message: employers can bypass meaningful negotiations, lock out their workers, and wait for political intervention to secure a more favourable deal.

Imposing binding arbitration or back-to-work legislation undermines workers’ rights to collective bargaining, weakening their ability to fight for fair wages and safe workplaces. Political interference tips the scales toward employers and sets a dangerous precedent. Canada’s unions believe lasting solutions come from fair negotiations, not government-imposed deals. The government must let collective bargaining take its course to protect the rights of all workers.

Port workers are simply asking for what they deserve—fair wages, job security, and safe working conditions. These demands are not unreasonable, particularly when employers have reaped extraordinary financial gains in recent years. 

Canada’s unions stand united in calling on the government to respect the Canada Labour Code and allow for a fair collective bargaining process that respects workers and ensures they receive their fair share in an era of record corporate profits.

Workers deserve a fair deal, and the only way to achieve lasting stability is through mutual respect and good-faith negotiations. 

Workers are not asking for the moon—they’re asking for their fair share in an era of extraordinary corporate wealth. The government must decide: will it stand with working people, or will it continue to tip the scales in favour of those who already have more than enough? 

The post Canada’s unions demand respect for port workers and fair negotiations – not political interference appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

We are gravely concerned by the continued escalation of hostilities and the expansion of this horrific war in the broader region.

On behalf of Canada’s unions, we renew our call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the provision of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The CLC continues to stand with our Palestinian and Israeli labour allies in the pursuit of these urgent goals, and we believe that, through dialogue and solidarity, peace can still be achieved.

In the past year, we have also witnessed a troubling rise in antisemitism, anti-Palestinian racism, and Islamophobia across our society, including in our workplaces. Canada’s unions unequivocally reject all expressions of hate and discrimination. We are committed to fostering environments that uphold inclusion, respect, and dignity for all.

The catastrophic humanitarian cost of this conflict demands that we never give up. No matter the obstacles and the heartbreak, our humanity demands that we work diligently and tirelessly to build a broader and stronger movement for peace.

We owe it to every peace-loving person in the region to keep working, tirelessly, strategically and always aiming for the goal of peace and justice.

That’s what our fellow workers in Palestine and Israel have asked us to do. And that’s what we’ll keep doing.

The post Statement on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Today, we remember all the Indigenous children taken from their families and communities and sent to residential schools. We honour the lives of those who never returned home, and those who survived.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day of remembrance and action. We are reminded of the ongoing responsibility we have as workers, union members, and allies to confront the historical injustices and ongoing inequities faced by Indigenous communities.

“Truth and reconciliation are not abstract ideas; they are tangible and achievable, but they require sustained commitment and action toward real change. This is why we are calling on Canadians from coast to coast to coast to take this day to learn more about and reflect on Canada’s colonial history and the enduring impact of the residential school system on Indigenous communities and to take action in their communities, workplaces and unions toward reconciliation and justice,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

Within the labour movement, this means we must continue to be proactive in supporting Indigenous workers in all sectors. This includes fighting for fair wages, safe working conditions, and culturally appropriate policies that reflect the unique needs of Indigenous workers, as well as advocating for greater Indigenous representation and leadership within our own structures.

We must keep pressuring government and advocating for broader policy change, including: safe drinking water; justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people; and, implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action 71-76, Missing Children and Burial Information, to properly address the devastating legacy of residential schools.

We need to keep working to dismantle systemic anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination, and address unequal access to employment opportunities experienced by Indigenous workers. We must also continue to place an emphasis on educating our leaders and members about the history and legacy of colonization, and actively create spaces for dialogue and learning, and opportunities for individual and collective action.

“Reconciliation is a continuous journey – one that requires accountability and consistent action. On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we urge all non-Indigenous people to consider their role in the fight for justice for Indigenous communities and encourage workers to ask themselves how they can contribute to reconciliation within their workplaces, unions, and communities. Whether it’s deepening their own understanding of Indigenous history, spearheading and supporting policies that foster equity at work, or standing in solidarity with Indigenous co-workers, every action makes a difference, not just today, but every day,” said Lily Chang, CLC Secretary-Treasurer.

Want to take action? Check out our resources:

Actions workers can take on September 30 and beyond

Actions unions can take on September 30 and beyond

You can also find more resources in our Indigenous Rights and Justice Resource Centre, where you can send a letter to your MP, letting them know you want to see concrete action for justice for Indigenous communities.

The post True reconciliation requires meaningful action, not just symbolic gestures appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“This was made possible because of labour activists and allies who have tirelessly championed pharmacare for decades,” said Siobhan Vipond, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “This legislation will save money for both workers and employers, reducing the financial burden caused by a fragmented insurance system. It’s a step towards better healthcare, reducing the strain on our healthcare system by preventing costly hospital and doctors’ visits,” Vipond added.

Each year, one million Canadians have had to choose between basic necessities and their medications. For instance, medication for type 2 diabetes can cost up to $10,000 per year, and oral contraceptives cost $240 annually.

Bill C-64, An Act Respecting Pharmacare, establishes a framework for a universal single-payer pharmacare plan. This achievement, a result of the NDP’s influence in a minority parliament and collaboration with Health Minister Mark Holland, is the most substantial enhancement to Canadian healthcare since the introduction of public healthcare.

For the moment, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre remains noncommittal about whether a CPC government would dismantle programs like dental care, and pharmacare.

“The Conservatives have consistently opposed investments in childcare, public healthcare, and pharmacare, often aligning with the interests of Bay Street CEOs and corporate lobbyists. And they will continue to side with Big Pharma over the needs of Canadian families,” added Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Pharmacare will deliver better healthcare to millions of Canadians, provide financial relief, and empower them with greater control over their sexual and reproductive health,” she affirmed.

For pharmacare to succeed, provincial support is crucial. The current hybrid pharmacare program in Quebec, which combines public and private coverage, often leaves drug costs unaffordable for many individuals. This patchwork approach benefits insurance companies and Big Pharma by maintaining high profit margins. A comprehensive pharmacare plan that prioritizes people’s needs over profits is the way to go.

We consistently hear from workers across the country about the critical importance of pharmacare for them and their families. The message is unequivocal: Healthcare decisions should be made between you and your doctor, not dictated by your financial situation.

Canada’s unions are calling on the Senate to swiftly pass Bill C-64 which will improve healthcare for millions of people, ease the financial burden for families, and ensure Canadians have control over their sexual and reproductive health.

The post One step closer to universal pharmacare for Canadians appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

2SLGBTQI+ workers are integral members of Canada’s labour movement, proudly serving as activists, shop stewards and leaders.

“Pride is a time to celebrate the gains that we’ve made, but it’s also a time to clearly state that we will defend these rights when they are put at risk. We’ve seen a sharp rise in hate-motivated harassment and violence against the 2SLGBTQI+ community, that is being driven by right-wing conservatives,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “We have long recognized a collective responsibility to address discrimination and hate against 2SLGBTQI+ workers, by promoting equality at work and in our communities. So, while we have lots to celebrate this Pride season, we also have so much left to do.”

In the past year, conservative leaders have fomented a climate of hate, fear and loathing by perpetuating harmful queerphobic and transphobic stereotypes through legislated attacks against trans and gender-diverse children, youth and adults. As workers and families are coping with an affordability crisis, climate change and cuts to public services, Conservative politicians are using trans and gender-diverse children as political pawns to distract Canadians from their failure to offer real solutions. 

Their efforts are also supported by individuals and groups in the anti-gender movement, who use intimidation and harassment to undermine any efforts of businesses and institutions to foster inclusion, equity and safety for 2SLGBTQI+ people.

“Let us be unequivocal: anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate is a worker issue. The bigotry and violence directed at our 2SLGBTQI+ siblings jeopardize their fundamental human rights,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President of the CLC. “And anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate often manifests as harassment and violence in workplaces, posing serious health and safety risks for workers. We need a unified response rooted in solidarity from all workers, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.”

Canada’s unions remain committed to our core principle: an injury to one is an injury to all. We stand resolute against any attempts by conservatives to erode our hard-won rights. We will continue to amplify the voices of 2SLGBTQI+ workers and tirelessly advocate for a Canada that is safe, just, and inclusive for all.

The post Pride 2024: No one left behind: Equality, freedom, and justice for all appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

National AccessAbility Week celebrates the valuable contributions of people with disabilities in Canada and highlights the actions needed to create an accessible Canada.

In 2020, the government announced its intention to implement the first of its kind, federal-level guaranteed monthly income supplement aimed at working-age people living with disabilities. But as rent and groceries continue to rise, the government recently announced that the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) will only be $200.00 per month (or just $6.66 per day). 

“After years of anticipation, we were profoundly disappointed at the announcement of the benefit. Along with our allies in the disability rights community, we were disheartened to learn that the amount would work out to a mere $6.66 per day, and that eligibility would be based on the inaccessible Disability Tax Credit,” said Lily Chang, Secretary-Treasurer of the CLC. “Accessibility isn’t possible without income security.”

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) program currently excludes many individuals who face significant barriers to qualifying, meaning many people with disabilities who are currently in poverty would not get the benefit. 

22% of people in Canada identify as having a disability. Yet, they make up 41% of the population living in poverty. There are many contributors to high rates of poverty among people with disabilities, including inaccessible workplaces, high medical costs and meagre provincial supports. 

The purpose of the CDB is to “reduce poverty and to support the financial security of working-age persons with disabilities”. The Canada Disability Benefit Act acknowledges the additional costs associated with living with a disability, the challenges that people with disabilities face in employment, intersecting systems of oppression faced by people with disabilities and Canada’s international human rights obligations. The amount and eligibility fail to reflect the goals and realities underlying this legislation.

“We echo the demands of our disability justice allies: the government must invest more in the CDB by the Fall 2024 Economic Statement, broaden eligibility through the regulations, and fully review and reform the DTC program. The provincial and territorial governments must commit to not clawing back the CDB. As modest as it is, it will be worse if it’s deducted from any provincial benefits people receive,” said Chang. “People with disabilities cannot wait any longer; they need economic security now.” 

You can learn more about National AccessAbility Week here.

The post National AccessAbility Week: Income Security Critical to Accessibility appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“When we look at the price increases since April 2021, it becomes clear that the Bank’s interest rate hikes have not made life more affordable for workers and their families,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. 

Over the last three years:

• Consumer Price Index (CPI) has risen by 14%.
• Grocery prices have surged by 21%.
• Pasta prices have climbed by 54%.
• Bread and flour prices have climbed by 23%.
• Vegetable prices have increased by 22%.

These numbers show how inflation keeps making things more expensive, stressing the importance of carefully thinking about the limits of monetary policy and the need for the federal government to do more.

The annual inflation rate dropped to 2.7% in April 2024. Inflation is just 1.1% when we exclude shelter, which is made more expensive by high interest rates. The Bank is actually making the problem worse… 

“Governor Macklem knows that interest rates were never the right policy for inflation caused by supply disruptions and corporate price gouging, and he needs to lower interest rates,” emphasized Bruske. “Unemployment is rising, which will make it even harder for families already grappling with exorbitant costs for rent, mortgages, and essential groceries.”

The post Reduce interest rates and offer relief to Canadian families – ball is in your court, Governor Macklem appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

With a diverse membership base, the NSTU is home to over 10,000 active members, consisting of educators from Primary to Grade 12 in public schools, as well as teachers from the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority.

As an organization deeply rooted in its commitment to educational excellence and professional development, the NSTU advocates for the rights and welfare of teachers while striving to create an environment conducive to effective teaching and learning.

“The NSTU’s affiliation with the broader labour movement is another example of the growth and solidarity of Canada’s unions. Workers across Canada stand united in their fight for the rights and dignity of all workers, including teachers. We’re proud to welcome them onboard,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen provincial governments attempt to undermine teachers, erode public education systems by reducing funding, weaken teachers’ unions and public boards, and trample queer and trans children’s rights to privacy and safety in schools.

“Recognizing the critical role educators play in shaping our society and supporting children throughout Nova Scotia, it’s important that we value their contributions, recognize their professionalism and promote the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers,” added Bruske.

“The NSTU has been grateful for the support and solidarity it has received from other unions across the province as we work to address the growing challenges facing our public school system,” says NSTU President Ryan Lutes. “Strengthening the bonds with other unions through the CLC is crucial to our efforts in advocating for safe and healthy learning environments for students and their teachers.”

Canada’s unions lead the charge in making transformative change for workers and families through advocacy and organizing.

NSTU joins a united labour movement of over 50 national and international unions under the CLC umbrella, collectively advocating for over three million workers.

The post Unified labour front: Nova Scotia Teachers’ Union joins Canadian Labour Congress appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

The unemployment rate jumped to 6.1% in March, a cumulative increase of a full percentage point over the past year. Meanwhile, GDP numbers released this week came in well under expectations.

“High interest rates just slam the brakes on the economy. Starting to cut rates in June isn’t like suddenly hitting the gas. It just means easing off the brakes just a little bit to provide some relief to families struggling to pay their rent or mortgages,” declared Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “How many more workers have to lose their jobs or default on their mortgages before the Bank of Canada does the right thing and cuts interest rates?”

Bruske added that some are getting hit harder by this economic slowdown. According to Statistics Canada, racialized Canadians are seeing higher job losses. The unemployment rate for Black Canadians rose 3.9 points over the past year to 10.8%. Meanwhile younger 15- to 24-year-old workers saw the steepest losses with 28,000 net jobs lost just in March while the youth unemployment rate rose to 12.6%.

“The longer the Bank of Canada delays cutting interest rates, those with the least will suffer the most,” warned Bruske. “The Bank of Canada must not sacrifice those who have the least power on the altar of high interest rates. It’s past time the Bank of Canada cuts interest rates and starts loosening the reins so Canada’s job market and economy can start to grow again.”

The post Cut interest rates to provide relief to families appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Too many workers are still dying, getting injured or getting sick from work and year in and year out, these numbers are not going down. That is unacceptable because every death and injury is preventable. Employers and our governments are not doing enough to keep workers safe on the job. Workers and their loved ones can’t afford to wait for action,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “When you know better, you do better. It’s been twenty years since the Westray Law was brought into effect. It’s past time for Canada to do better to keep everyone safe.”

This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the Westray Law. Following the Westray mine disaster, Canada’s unions – led by the United Steelworkers – lobbied for change, so that employers could be convicted of criminal negligence. In 2004, the Westray sections of the Criminal Code of Canada were brought into effect, allowing for corporations to be held criminally liable for workplace deaths and injuries.

However, since its inception, only a handful of criminal charges have been laid due to inconsistent and insufficient enforcement of the law. Most of these cases resulted in fines, which major corporations can easily pay. Political leaders also still defer to business interests by weakening health and safety legislation, both provincially and federally.

Across Canada, in 2022 – the most recent year for which statistics are available – there were 993 accepted workplace fatalities and 348,747 accepted lost time claims.

“We know these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. Many injuries, illnesses, and even cases of death from work are not included in these numbers. But did you know that you’re fifty percent more likely to die from a workplace incident than by homicide? And when a person dies by homicide, someone is held criminally responsible. So why are so many workers still dying on the job while potentially negligent employers are moving on as if nothing happened? A simple slap on the wrist doesn’t deter negligent bosses from putting profits over people. Paying a measly fine is not an acceptable consequence to costing someone their life, or their health,” said Bruske.

The post Canada’s unions call for ‘Safe work now!’ appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Workers are standing united, with a clear message to all parties: if you want our votes, you must respect our rights and deliver real help to workers and families. We demand concrete action, not pretty words,” warned Bruske. “All parties must pledge support for concrete actions to dismantle barriers to joining or forming a union and crack down on any company that unfairly obstructs workers from organizing.”

Bruske and her fellow labour leaders warned that workers will hold politicians to account if they fail to support concrete measures,including:

• New Taskforce on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, with a mandate to bring forward concrete recommendations for more balanced labour laws.
• Pledge not to pass back-to-work legislation or laws that impose collective agreements on workers.
• Fast track federal anti-scab bill and advocate for similar laws in all jurisdictions.
• Support automatic card certification in all provinces and territories.

Bruske released new opinion research that showed Canadians support unions because unions provide tangible benefits that improve the quality of life for workers. Sixty-two percent of Canadian voters believe more workers being part of a union is a good thing while 70% agree governments should remove barriers to joining and forming a union. Canadians cite obstacles like employer intimidation and misinformation, alongside too many hoops and onerous bureaucracy that obstruct workers from organizing.

“When unions are weaker, people’s quality of life is diminished. In tough times like today, the most powerful way to make life more affordable is to have a union behind you. We have the evidence to show Canadians get that unions secure good jobs, fair wages, decent working conditions, and better benefits,” explained Bruske. “People understand that unions help build thriving, affordable, livable communities. That’s why we must protect workers’ rights and stop allowing employers to always have the upper hand.”

“We’re ready to work together with politicians who agree to support our work to build a fairer economy, from the worker up,” Bruske concluded.

The post Canada’s unions are united: Want our votes? Enhance our rights! appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, will lead the Council’s discussion and make an announcement about the Canadian Football League Players’ Association.

“Representatives of millions of workers will gather in Ottawa this week ready to deliver a clear message to politicians of every stripe: if you want our votes, you must respect and enhance our rights. Not with pretty words, but concrete action,” warned Bruske. “The labour movement is growing. We will be releasing new polling showing how, more and more, Canadians are behind us. People are looking to us to make it easier to join a union and harder for employers to obstruct workers from organizing.”

“Canadians understand – the best ticket to the middle class is to have a union card in your back pocket.”

CANADIAN COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS

THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2024

Shaw Centre, Gatineau Salon

55 Colonel By Drive Ottawa ON

9:30 AM:        

Press Conference with Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress and Solomon Elimimian, President of the CFL Players’ Association (Open to the media)

10:00 AM:      

Speech by Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (Open to the media)

10:45 AM – 4:30 PM

Canadian Council deliberates and hears from invited guests (Closed to the media)

The post Labour reps discuss election strategy and union momentum appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“We appreciate moves to increase taxes on the wealthiest Canadians and profitable corporations, and investments in housing and school meals will help families in need. However, the sky-high price of groceries and essentials continue to stretch household budgets, and much more ambitious action is needed to make life affordable,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Amidst rising unemployment, the government’s failure to fix our broken Employment Insurance system, its inability to respond to health workers’ low pay and overwork, inaction to invest in a full universal pharmacare system, and the lack of support for migrant workers are disappointing.”

The School Food Program will feed 400,000 more students every year, including many from racialized, Indigenous, and low-income families. Budget 2024 also reflects progress made through the federal government’s agreement with Canada’s New Democrats, including investments in housing affordability.

However, more action is necessary to tackle the housing crisis. The government must get back to building public housing, address the financialization of housing, and take action to make renting more affordable.

We are concerned by plans to incentivize pension investments that could lead to privatization. Every worker deserves financial security in retirement; the government must strengthen public pensions and do more to ensure every worker has access to a decent workplace pension – pensions should not be used to expand privatization.

Furthermore, the proposed cuts to public sector jobs are alarming. Canada’s unions will fight to ensure these cuts do not impact workers or the services that Canadians rely on. “Public spending must prioritize the workers and families who drive our economy,” emphasized Bruske. “That means investing in public services and investing in people.”

Investments in the Canada Disability Benefit are a good first step; however much greater levels of support are required to support people with disabilities across Canada.

While we welcome funding for childcare spaces and plans for a sectoral table on the care economy, the lack of investment to address the health crisis is concerning. Bruske added, “Decades of cuts, the health workforce crisis, and creeping privatization mean our care system—and the workers holding it together—are stretched to the limits. We need investments to ensure our loved ones can access the care they need.”

“Budget 2024 provided improvements to our tax system by increasing the capital gains tax, but greater ambition is needed on tax fairness to not leave revenue on the table,” said Bruske. “With figures like Pierre Poilievre siding with bosses and promoting false solutions, it’s crucial for the government to step up. We need bolder action to tackle corporate greed and fund support for struggling families.”

The post Bolder action needed to make life more affordable and tackle corporate greed appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“Powerful corporations do better than ever while families are forced to pay for the affordability crisis. The upcoming budget is an opportunity to deliver much-needed help and address these inequities,” explained Bruske. “We must invest in non-profit rental and social housing, to make homes affordable for every family. And the budget can take additional steps to make life more affordable, including cracking down on corporate price gouging and junk fees in banking.”

Bruske warned that Budget 2024 must also better support workers, including fixing Employment Insurance, improving pensions, and delivering better skills training.  

“As the unemployment rate continues to rise, we must make sure help is there for people when they need it most. After years of broken promises, the government must finally fix EI,” warned Bruske. “We must also prepare today’s workers for the low-carbon jobs of the future. This means investing in good sustainable union jobs, alongside better skills training and upskilling.”

Bruske added that if corporations are made to pay their fair share, government can afford to invest in help for people who are struggling.

“We can afford to improve the care economy, implement universal pharmacare, and invest in people. But only if we make the most profitable corporations pay their fair share,” concluded Bruske. “Budget 2024 is an opportunity to fight back against a vision of Canada where wealthy corporations get more tax giveaways, and deeper government spending cuts mean even less help for people who need it most.”

What:              Comment on workers’ expectations for Budget 2024

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 BUDGET 2024 MUST INVEST IN AFFORDABILITY, REJECT AUSTERITY appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

The Employment Equity Act represents a critical tool in our efforts to combat racism in the workplace and address the inequities experienced by Black, Indigenous, and racialized workers. Enacted to promote equality and eliminate discriminatory barriers in employment in federally-regulated workplaces, the Act provides a framework for employers to proactively address systemic inequities and ensure fair representation for all groups, including Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, women, and racialized people – designated groups under the current Act.

While the Employment Equity Act lays the foundation for progress, much work remains to be done to fully realize its potential, which can be achieved through its modernization. The recently released Employment Equity Review Task Force report, which came after consultations with numerous stakeholders, including Canada’s unions, provides a number of recommendations to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the Act, including measures to address systemic racism and discrimination in hiring, promotion, and retention practices.

“We stand firm in our commitment to combat systemic racism and discrimination in the labour market, to ensure a future where every individual is treated with dignity, respect, and equality,” said CLC Executive Vice-President Larry Rousseau. “The recommendations put forth by the Task Force offer an important opportunity to eradicate existing deep-seated inequities and prevent future ones, which is absolutely essential to addressing systemic racism and ensuring Black, Indigenous, and racialized workers are no longer being left out in the cold. This is how we build a society free from discrimination, racism, and prejudice.”

The Task Force recommendations include investing in targeted initiatives to support the recruitment, training, and advancement of underrepresented groups in the workforce, as well as ensuring robust enforcement mechanisms to hold employers accountable for compliance with the Act.

Addressing racism and discrimination in the labour market is paramount to achieving fairness for all workers. Racial income gaps persist, as Indigenous, Black, and racialized workers continue to face barriers to employment opportunities, discriminatory hiring practices, unequal pay, and limited opportunities for advancement. Failure to address these inequities will only result in further exacerbation of the issues faced by these workers and perpetuate their exclusion from full and fair participation in the workforce.

Canada’s unions also have a role to play by taking proactive measures to advance employment equity within our own organizations. This includes removing barriers to equal opportunity and fair treatment, making employment equity part of the bargaining agenda, and ensuring that those most affected are on bargaining committees. Other measures include raising awareness among their members about the importance of employment equity, educating staff and leadership on the issue, and establishing accountability mechanisms for monitoring progress on employment equity within their organizations. Lastly, it is crucial for unions to advocate for policies and initiatives that advance employment equity, including a strengthened Employment Equity Act.

Read the full report from the Employment Equity Review Task Force here.

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On February 27^th, while Parliamentarians from all parties voted unanimously in support of Bill C-58, legislation that would ban replacement workers, 239 Unifor members in Nova Scotia went on strike. By the end of that very same day, the employer, CN Rail, brought in scabs. Although this is a provincially regulated workplace, it merits every politician’s attention.

“I’ve heard some concerning stories from workers who faced direct conflict during a strike, threatening their safety and livelihood. The horrific event that happened in Northern Ontario less than two weeks ago is a terrifying example. This should never happen,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Scabs, sometimes called “replacement” workers, are brought in during a lockout or strike to take regular workers’ jobs. The employers’ use of scab labour—pitting desperate workers against each other— undermines workers’ right to strike, intensifies labour disputes and escalates hostility at the picket lines – threatening the safety of these workers and their communities.

Quebec has had an anti-scab law for over 45 years and British Columbia for 30 years, these laws, and the proposed federal anti-scab bill, not only shorten labour stoppages, they reduce the damaging effects scabs have on inflaming disputes and bring back fairness at the bargaining table.

More and more private and public sector workers are turning to their unions to stand up and demand better. From employers and from governments.

“Workers know that walking the picket line is not easy.  And the threat of scabs being present in some jurisdictions is very real.  That amplifies the stress workers face when making decisions for themselves, their families and their communities.  That’s why, achieving anti-scab legislation at the federal level is critical,” added Bruske.

Workers in Nova Scotia, and in every province and territory, deserve to have their constitutional right to bargain and to strike protected, without the persistent menace of the use of scabs that would prolong work stoppages and incite drawn-out, desperate, and destructive conflicts.

Like non-unionized workers, union members have seen their wages fall in the face of the ongoing affordability crisis.

Workers have seen their purchasing power fall behind, as their wages fall behind inflation while wealthy CEOs are reporting huge profits. Meanwhile, their employees are forced to go to the food bank because they can’t even afford to shop in the store they work in.

“I met with workers who told me that before they are prepared to walk the picket line, they have to make a financial calculation. And in these uncertain and difficult economic times, this is not a decision to take lightly,” added Bruske. “These are kitchen table family discussions about whether you can afford to take the employer’s measly offer or if you are prepared to go out.  And let’s be honest, sometimes the decision is made for workers when they are locked out by their employer.”

In the meantime, politicians like Pierre Poilievre pretend to be a friend to workers. He remained completely silent on where he stood on banning scab labour for months while continuing to deliver meaningless one-liners and come up with petty slogans.

“If Pierre had a true change of heart and really wants to support worker’s rights, perhaps he should send a memo to his provincial counterparts in Nova Scotia and Ontario as soon as possible,” added Bruske.

The post CLC President Bruske to all levels of government: Show you stand with workers and implement anti-scab legislation now appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“We care about the well-being of children. We also know that it is tough for kids to feel different from others growing up, and how important it is to feel safe and included at school. Unfortunately, conservative politicians are trying to make it more challenging for kids and youth by undermining the ability of parents, caregivers, educators, and health care providers to support them,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “Unions are in the business of defending people’s human rights, whether they’re union members or not. We will not sit by as 2SLGBTQI+ kids’ rights are attacked.”

Bruske added: “Political leaders have a choice to either facilitate bullying and harm against trans children and youth or to protect their safety and well-being.”

In the past year, there’s been a rise in policies, legislation, and actions that undermine the ability of 2SLGBTQI+ youth to learn and grow in safe and affirming environments. Even before this recent increase in harmful policies, 2SLGBTQI+ children were facing difficulties at school. In 2021, Egale’s second national climate survey on homophobia, transphobia and biphobia in Canadian schools revealed:  

• 2SLGBTQ students report more incidents of homophobic, biphobic, and/or transphobic verbal, physical, and sexual harassment and other forms of targeted bullying than their cisgender heterosexual peers;

• 77% of 2SLGBTQ Indigenous students had been harassed at school in the year leading up to the survey, the highest percentage of any group, and they were more likely to report skipping school due to feeling unsafe; and

• 2SLGBTQ Black students were most likely to be verbally harassed about their race and to indicate that they wished they attended a different school.

• Overall, 62% of 2SLGBTQ respondents reported feeling unsafe at school, compared to 11% of cisgender heterosexual students.  

“Recent policy changes are fueling hate, forcing 2SLGBTQI+ kids and youth to hide their identities and go without support from their teachers. They’re losing access to critical education about gender identity and sexual orientation. It shouldn’t be a struggle for educators to create affirming, inclusive, and welcoming school environments, but educators are facing backlash, with many of them identifying this as a barrier to creating school-wide gender inclusivity,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President of the CLC.

In Alberta, for example, parents and doctors are facing government overreach, disrupting their ability to provide quality healthcare to trans and gender-diverse kids and youth. 

Pink Shirt Day began as an initiative in a small-town Nova Scotia school in 2007 to counter homophobia and transphobia at school. It has since grown into a movement to create a more kind and inclusive world by raising awareness and funds for anti-bullying initiatives. 

This year, Canada’s unions remind governments that all children deserve the freedom to grow and express themselves without fear of bullying, ostracism, or violence. Anything less is unacceptable.

In solidarity with 2SLGBTQI+ leaders, we are calling on conservative politicians to stop bullying 2SLGBTQI+ kids: 

• Repeal any legislation and rescind any policies that deny trans and queer youth the ability to be safe and thrive at school and in their communities; and

• Collaborate with 2SLGBTQI+-led organizations to identify educational resources and best practices to create welcoming, safe, inclusive learning environments. 

You can take action too! Sign on to the Free and Equal Alberta letter writing campaign.

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We are very encouraged by the news that the Liberals and New Democrats have reached a deal on pharmacare. This achievement represents the most significant enhancement to our healthcare system since the creation of public healthcare in Canada. It’s a milestone that will profoundly impact the lives of Canadians by making healthcare more accessible and affordable.

The urgency of this victory cannot be overstated. With nearly one million Canadians forced to sacrifice basic necessities like food and heating to afford medications, and another million resorting to borrowing money, the need for change was clear and immediate.

I have personally heard from workers unable to afford their diabetes medications, and parents faced with the heart-wrenching choice between feeding their children or providing them with essential life-saving medicines. These are the struggles many Canadians face daily – not the fake outrage that Mr. Poilievre is talking about these days. The introduction of a universal single-payer pharmacare program is not just a policy change; it’s a lifeline that will bring tangible improvements to the lives of countless individuals.

This program is also a significant financial relief for ordinary Canadians. Consider the costs of essential medications like Type 2 diabetes medications and supplies, which can reach $10,000 annually per person, or the annual expense of oral contraceptives for women at around $240. This pharmacare program is a step towards making life more affordable for all.

Furthermore, this initiative will lead to significant savings. Instead of a patchwork of medication insurance, workers can have the security of a universal and single-payer program. This means that workers and employers can redirect these savings towards better wages, stronger paychecks, or enhanced retirement savings.

This achievement is a testament to the power of collective effort and advocacy. It’s a big deal, made possible by the leverage exercised by the NDP in this parliament. Canadian workers have fought tirelessly for this program for decades, and it is through the NDP’s commitment to prioritizing the needs of real people in this minority parliament that we have reached this groundbreaking moment.

Today, we celebrate this monumental victory, a testament to what we can achieve when we stand united for the health and well-being of all Canadians.”

The post Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress on the news about NDP/Liberal negotiations on pharmacare: appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

Canadians are witnessing Conservative decision-makers wreak havoc. Rather than addressing the pressing crises of health care, affordability, and climate change, Conservatives across the country are indulging in political games. And who loses? Working-class families.

A year after a landmark health care agreement between the federal government and provinces and territories, Conservative premiers have failed to act and failed to care. Canada’s unions are hearing from health care workers who are under pressure to work harder and faster, facing dangerously high patient-to-care worker ratios.

These workers deserve support and action to strengthen our public health care system and better retain and recruit health care staff—but Conservatives won’t be the ones to deliver. Conservative premiers are actively pursuing the privatization of our public health care system, and Pierre Poilievre was a cabinet minister in a Conservative government that drastically cut health care.

Meanwhile, hard-earned paycheques are being swallowed by the sky-high price of groceries and other necessities. Workers need a helping hand so they can build a good life but instead, we get cuts for everyday people and a gravy train for corporate giants—such as the Ford government’s handouts to big business while slashing public services. Danielle Smith wants to throw hard-working people under the bus by dismantling the Canada Pension Plan, while Mr. Poilievre opposes a universal public pharmacare plan that would put more money in workers’ wallets.

At the same time, Canadians are grappling with the very real impacts of the climate crisis, but Conservative leaders don’t have a serious plan for working people and our communities. How much did Danielle Smith’s seven-month moratorium on renewable energy set back Albertan workers? And Poilievre’s Conservatives are trying to block pro-worker legislation, jeopardizing jobs and opportunities in a sustainable economy.

With so many real and urgent issues on the agenda, Canada’s unions oppose Conservative efforts to stoke a culture war by attacking trans kids and adults rather than offer real solutions, as we’ve seen Blaine Higgs, Scott Moe, and now Danielle Smith do. The playbook is familiar: shirk responsibility for making life harder for working people, stoke fear about a scapegoat, and then ride the fear train for power and personal gain.

Make no mistake, Conservatives stand against workers. Canada’s unions will defend working people and their families against Conservative games at all costs. We will fight for sustainable jobs, we will fight to make life more affordable, we will fight for our public health care system—and we will fiercely oppose attacks on vulnerable Canadians.

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“In the face of adversity and deep inequities, the actions of courageous Black community trailblazers and activists have carved out room for increased equity for Black and racialized workers and community members,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President of the CLC. “This progress is evident not only in our workplaces but also in the very fabric of the communities we inhabit. We honour these trailblazers by continuing the fight for justice and equity.”

Canada’s unions continue to support Black communities’ calls to tackle pervasive systemic anti-Black racism in Canada. The reach of anti-Black racism is wide, impacting community members across their entire lifecycle and following individuals everywhere they go: from their educational institutions, to their workplaces, to the communities in which they reside.

Anti-Black racism is systemic – deeply rooted in Canada’s foundation as a violently colonial nation – and creates major barriers to economic and social advancement and empowerment for Black workers and communities. For generations – and still to this day – persistent labour market discrimination has seen Black workers consistently earning lower wages and experiencing hurdles at every stage of employment, beginning at the initial hiring process, to advancement and promotion, as well as retention.

To address these issues, Canada’s unions continue to demand that the federal government take concrete steps to ensure anti-Black racism and discrimination are meaningfully tackled, and that Black workers have access to full and fair participation in the labour market. The government can work toward eliminating systemic anti-Black racism in employment by implementing the recommendations of the Employment Equity Review Task Force. The Task Force held consultations with stakeholder groups, including Canada’s unions, and its extensive report detailed tangible ways to ensure a more inclusive and equitable Canadian workforce. Among its recommendations is the inclusion of Black workers as a designated group under the Employment Equity Act to take into account the unique barriers experienced by Black workers.

We call on the federal government to:

• Ensure the reform and modernization of the Employment Equity Act includes employer requirements to divulge pay gaps affecting Black workers, and a plan to narrow and eliminate the gender and multigenerational racial pay gap;
• Create an intersectional national anti-Black racism strategy, including strong employment and pay targets and concrete measures to address systemic labour-market discrimination and disadvantages faced by Black workers;
• Uphold the human rights of Black workers and redress the injustices faced by Black federal public service employees via the Black Class Action lawsuit; and
• Immediately release Canada’s renewed Anti-Racism Strategy, and the National Action Plan on Combatting Hate to address the rising tide of racism and hate across Canada.

Join our calls by writing to your MP here, and check out our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook all month long to learn more about some of the incredible pioneers and activists in Black Canadian history who fought to make Canada a more just place for all.

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January 29 is the National Day of Remembrance for the Quebec City Mosque attack in 2017. This tragic event took the lives of innocent worshippers and shook the nation.

“The 2017 attack on the Quebec City Mosque left deep scars on us all. As a society, we can’t keep telling ourselves that these attacks won’t happen here at home, because we’ve seen that they do,” said Bea Bruske, President of the CLC. “In fact, over the past several years we’ve seen a sharp rise in hate-motivated incidents here in Canada. We must confront the root causes of this rising tide of hate, whether it’s xenophobia, racism, or religious intolerance. It’s up to us to take a stand against hate and bigotry, and to call it out anytime we see it, whether it’s in person or online.”

The rise of hate in Canada is an alarming trend that demands urgent attention and collective action. There has been a disturbing increase in hate crimes in recent years, including those targeting religious, racial, and ethnic minorities. The National Council of Canadian Muslims has also reported a sharp rise in Islamophobic incidents since October 7, 2023 as a result of the escalating violence in Palestine and Israel. This surge in hateful incidents underscores the need for a comprehensive and unwavering commitment to combat all forms of hate and discrimination.

“We honour the lives lost on January 29, 2017, and since, by standing united against discrimination and bigotry within our ranks. This means actively addressing incidents of Islamophobia, whether subtle or overt, as well as the structures that allow it to persist, and working towards creating union spaces where every member is and feels valued and protected,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President of the CLC. “By fostering a culture of respect and solidarity, unions can contribute significantly to the dismantling of prejudiced attitudes and practices.”

In workplaces, it is crucial to cultivate an environment that values and embraces differences. This includes providing education and awareness to combat stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. It means promoting inclusivity and eliminating barriers in hiring practices, and ensuring that individuals of all backgrounds have equal opportunities for advancement and success in the workplace.

In order to properly reflect the compounding inequities experienced by specific communities, the federal government must update the Employment Equity Act. The collection and analysis of disaggregated data is critical to applying an intersectional lens to the updated Act.

The government must also take action on the thirty recommendations submitted by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in their report Taking Action Against Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination Including Islamophobia.

“It’s easier to stand together against hate, than to stand alone. We call upon all Canadians to actively engage in dismantling hate, and to promote understanding, empathy, and solidarity. Working together, we can build a Canada where every individual, regardless of their background, can live free from the fear of discrimination and violence,” said Bruske.

Take action:

• Read and share CLC’s report on confronting Islamophobia in our workplaces and communities: Islamophobia at Work: Challenges and Opportunities. The report includes recommendations for employers, unions, and government on how to address this issue;

• Show your solidarity by wearing a green square and joining the National Council for Canadian Muslim’s Green Square Campaign;
• Learn more about Islamophobia in Canada and its impacts.

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OTTAWA––As MPs head back to Parliament, Canada’s unions urged decision-makers to put people first by alleviating the cost-of-living crisis, fixing the healthcare crisis and the workforce crisis, and helping communities cope with the devastating impacts of climate change.

“Workers and their families are facing tough financial choices to make ends meet, and many worry for the stability of their jobs as we collectively face a crucial economic and climate transition,” said Bruske. “Workers need the government to act as families fall further behind.”

Tangible actions the government can take to offer real and immediate relief to Canadians include creating a windfall profits tax on large food retailers and using the revenues to fund an extension of the grocery rebate and implementing a single-payer universal public prescription drug plan that provides coverage for all, no matter their income, age, or where they live.

“I’ve heard troubling stories from workers telling me they stay up at night trying to figure out how they’ll pay rent, put food on the table and provide the medication their kids need. We’re paying over 40% more for basics like pasta and butter and 50% more for the fruits and vegetables that keep us healthy” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Workers expect the government to help. They need MPs to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis and provide immediate relief from sky-high food prices.”

Workers are also waiting on MPs to pass Bill C-50, the Sustainable Jobs Act, which would offer workers hope and stability and ensure they have a seat at the decision-making table when it comes to their future.

“It’s a new year, but some things haven’t changed – the Conservatives are still the same anti-worker party they always were,” said Bruske. “Before the break, the Conservative’s stance on the Sustainable Jobs act was nothing but shenanigans — wasting time and public dollars. Let’s be honest, if Poilievre was on the side of workers like he claims to be, he would support this bill and stop blocking it.”

Across his record on healthcare, austerity, anti-labour laws, and cutting support for unemployed workers, Poilievre undermines workers and their unions.

“Workers and their unions see through Poilievre’s nonsense,” said Bruske. “I encourage Mr. Poilievre to let his actions prove his promises: does he support workers or not?”

Another pressing issue for workers is housing. With rising rents and house prices hitting record highs – it’s increasingly hard for workers and their families to find an affordable place to live. Canada’s strategy is not enough to provide for the anticipated demand for shelter from Canadians. To address this issue, the government should invest in housing similar to the scale seen after the Second World War.

“The underinvestment and policy decisions by federal and provincial governments since the 1990s have crippled our housing supply to the point of crisis. It’s not enough to ‘incentivize’ private developers, workers need their government to have greater ambition,” said Bruske. “But one thing is clear: immigration did not cause the housing crisis. Everyone benefits from people wanting to come to Canada and contribute to our economy and our culture. We should encourage and facilitate that, including making sure we have the infrastructure to support them.”

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.

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

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Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre speaks so loudly on so many issues. Which makes his silence deafening on how he’ll vote on a new law, Bill C-58, that would ban the use of replacement workers during strikes and lockouts.

After months of trying to woo workers with sympathetic words about the challenges people face, Mr. Poilievre now faces a big test. Will he stand with Canada’s workers or turn his back on us and our families? Will he put his vote where his mouth is?

NDP, Bloc and Liberals have all pledged to support this new law. In fact, New Democrat and Bloc MPs have worked with us for decades to get an anti-scab bill passed.

Scabs, sometimes called “replacement” workers, are brought in during a lockout or strike to take regular workers’ jobs. This intensifies labour disputes and pours poison into workplaces. What might have been a short-lived dispute solved around the bargaining table becomes a destructive and drawn-out fight.

I think we know why Conservatives are so indecisive. Corporate Canada is spending big bucks lobbying against this bill. No wonder, right now rich corporations have the upper hand and are desperate to keep it that way.

The thing is, the powerful business lobby doesn’t want to tell you how Quebec has had an anti-scab law for over 45 years and B.C. for 30 years. They don’t want you to know how these laws and similar ones around the world shorten labour stoppages, reduce the damaging effects scabs have on inflaming disputes, and bring better balance to labour relations.

Companies fighting this bill want to keep the power to strongarm their workers into accepting bad contracts, just to keep their jobs. It’s part of a race to the bottom intended to pit worker against worker.

The fact is, businesses today just have too much power over workers. This has led to workers’ pay lagging behind, reduced benefits and worsening working conditions. Meanwhile, corporate profits have soared to the stratosphere.

A 2022 analysis by Jim Stanford showed that after-tax corporate profits reached their highest share of GDP ever in the first quarter of that year. While companies’ profits surged ahead, wages lagged well behind inflation. A recent Statistics Canada report showed Canada’s top 20% now controls more than two-thirds of the wealth in Canada. While the bottom 20% account for less than 3% of the wealth.

An anti-scab bill can finally start balancing the playing field. But to do so, it must be strong and effective.

To be effective, it must have strong enforcement mechanisms and be brought into force quickly, not a year and a half after it has passed. To protect workers’ rights, the law must apply to all work regularly performed by bargaining unit workers. To make sure it’s applied fairly, it must not have overly broad essential service barriers that take away workers’ right to strike.

Workers and families are now looking to Members of Parliament to turn sympathetic words into concrete action. Canada’s unions are ready to work with all parties to strengthen and swiftly pass this bill.

But make no mistake, when the next election comes Canada’s workers will also remember anyone who caves to the rich business lobby and tries to delay or weaken this important new law.

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

The post Workers to MPs: Either stand with us or the rich business lobby appeared first on Canadian Labour Congress.

“We are extremely concerned by the continued violence in Gaza, West Bank and Israel” said CLC President Bea Bruske. “The global community has a responsibility to bring this war to an end. That’s why Canada’s unions want to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and we’ve been working on that goal, engaging and collaborating with unions from around the world, including labour allies in Palestine and Israel.”  

Bruske reported on a number of ITUC and International Labour Organization (ILO) actions supported by the CLC, including:

• Reiterating the call for an immediate, and permanent, cease-fire;
• The release of all hostages and others held without due judicial process, that conforms with international law—along with their safe return home;
• Full respect for international humanitarian law;
• Calling on the government of Canada to fund the ILO’s three-phase response programme in support of Palestinian workers;
• Contributions to Gaza humanitarian emergency funds through aid organizations;
• Meeting with representatives of Histadrut (the General Organization of Workers in Israel), to understand the challenges faced by Israeli trade unionists who support a lasting peace; and
• Meeting with the General Secretary of the Palestinian Workers’ Union to work collaboratively for a ceasefire and support for Palestinian workers.

“We strongly believe that supporting the demands of the workers in the region is how we, as Canada’s unions, are best placed to respond to the crisis and push for a just and lasting peace” said Bruske. “We’ll remain focused on that work.”

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Canada’s unions mourn the passing of longtime NDP leader and labour champion, Ed Broadbent.  

“Ed Broadbent was a giant among us, a man with incomparable heart and integrity. Ed championed workers’ issues and always stood up for the most marginalized among us. He was a great leader, mentor and friend to so many of us, and he will be missed more than words can express,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. 

An accomplished parliamentarian, Broadbent’s advocacy on behalf of workers and his unwavering support for unions made him a pillar of the Canadian labour movement. He founded the Broadbent Institute in 2011 which has championed progressive change through valuable research and analysis, education and support for a new generation of leaders. 

“We are committed to honouring Ed’s legacy by keeping up the fight for workers’ rights, social justice and the preservation of democracy, in Canada and around the world,” said Bruske.  

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