Conservatives refuse to talk lagging wages instead push low-wage austerity agenda

Conservatives refuse to talk lagging wages instead push low-wage austerity agenda

Bruske: As wages lag far behind inflation, Conservative leadership candidates ignore struggling workers. OTTAWA – Canada’s unions are shining a spotlight on how the Conservative Party is missing in action when it comes to standing up for workers who are seeing their buying power shrink as their wages rise at half the rate of inflation. “Workers are worried about how…

Asian Heritage Month: Canada must do more to eliminate anti-Asian racism

As Canada prepares to mark Asian Heritage Month in May, anti-Asian racism and xenophobia have continued to rise consistently across the country over the past two years. A national report released by the Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter and Project 1907 shows that anti-Asian racism and xenophobia have continued to rise consistently across Canada two years into the pandemic.…

Budget 2022: Progress on building a new and better normal

Bruske: Federal budget shows that when parties work together, everyday people benefit OTTAWA – Canada’s unions welcomed today’s investments in making life more affordable for workers and their families, including through action on dental care, affordable housing and fairer taxation. But Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress said that progress is hard-fought and we must be ready for…

Canada at an Economic Crossroads: A Better Normal or Settling for Worse?

By Bea Bruske, as published in National Newswatch With the federal budget just a day away, Bay St. CEOs and senior bankers are stumbling over themselves, rushing to declare mission accomplished and claim the economic crisis is over. They are determined to fill up Canada’s opinion pages with arguments urging the government that it’s time to go back to normal.…

Canadian Labour Congress’ President Bea Bruske available to react to Budget 2022

OTTAWA – Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, will be available to talk about the impacts of Budget 2022 on workers and their families. Bruske is available to outline how Canada’s unions are looking to the Budget to take concrete steps to strengthen public health care and make life more affordable. “The reality is, not everyone is sharing…

Hope and optimism shines through the grey fog of Ottawa politics

By Bea Bruske, as published in The Hill Times We saw a refreshing ray of hope shine through the grey fog of Ottawa politics this week. Watching Jagmeet Singh and Justin Trudeau announce their Confidence-and-Supply agreement this week was a welcome antidote to the noxious partisan rhetoric of recent weeks and months. I felt like I could almost see Jack…

National survey reports widespread harassment and violence in workplaces

Today the CLC and its research partners are releasing the initial findings of a national survey on workplace harassment and violence. For years, workers and advocates have been drawing attention to the ongoing and widespread issue of harassment and violence at work. However, a shortage of Canadian-specific data made it difficult to know the extent and nature of the problem.…

Canada’s unions welcome new health funding – now make it permanent

OTTAWA – Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, made the following statement today on the announcement of $2 billion in new health care funding: “Canada’s unions welcome today’s announcement of new funding to strengthen public health care, including to address backlogs that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. This new funding will be critical to helping provinces improve access…

Canada’s unions welcome landmark agreement between Liberals and New Democrats on a progressive agenda for Canada

OTTAWA – Canada’s unions celebrate today’s historic agreement between the Government and the NDP and look forward to vital progress on key issues. “Canada’s unions have long fought for parties to work together and move forward on a progressive policy agenda,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “With today’s agreement, Parliament can now move forward on a…

Canada’s unions: victory laps premature when it comes to jobs numbers

Bruske: Wages rising at less than the cost-of-living while workers in some sectors are being left behind OTTAWA – Today’s Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey shows that the overly-rosy picture some claim about the economic recovery doesn’t hold up on closer inspection. Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress points out that the reality facing many Canadian workers is…