Publications

Black History Month: Unions demand action on environmental racism

Canada’s unions are marking Black History Month by calling for an end to environmental racism. 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…

CLC’s response for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

OTTAWA –– Today’s announcement from Prime Minister Carney recognizes what workers across this country already know: the affordability crisis is real, and families across the country are feeling it every day.  Strengthening the GST credit, now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, with a 25 per cent increase over the next five years and a one-time boost this year, will help many Canadians…

Statement – On the Canada–China Strategic Partnership

Today’s announcement of a new strategic partnership between the Government of Canada and the People’s Republic of China represents a sharp and concerning shift in Canada’s trade and industrial strategy. While Ottawa frames this deal as a way to diversify markets for Canadian farmers and exporters, it ultimately puts both groups at risk, offering uncertain, short-term relief for canola and…

Workers Must Come First in CUSMA — No Trade Deal at the Expense of Jobs, Industry, or Public Services

OTTAWA – Today, Canada’s unions met Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, for a high-level Roundtable on the upcoming 2026 review of the Canada-United States Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) to deliver a clear and urgent message: workers must come first. Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske was joined by leaders from several of…

Canadian Labour Congress Launches New Webinar Series: The Issues and You

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is launching a new webinar series in 2026, The Issues and You, designed to deepen workers’ understanding of the issues shaping our lives, our unions, and the broader labour movement. This series will explore key challenges facing working people – from the fights unions are leading today, to global trends affecting workers, to what the…

Canadian Labour Congress Joins International Labour Movement in Condemning U.S. Military Aggression and Violation of Venezuela’s Sovereignty

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) joins the international labour movement, including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA), in condemning the recent U.S. military aggression and violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. Canada’s unions firmly reject any attempt at regime change through force, coercion, or foreign interference. The future of Venezuela must be determined…

Migrant workers deserve equal rights and opportunities

Canada’s unions are marking International Migrants Day by continuing to call for equal rights and opportunities for migrant workers. Migrant workers come to Canada in the hopes of securing a better future for themselves and their families. They contribute to our communities and economy, paying income taxes and rent, and purchasing goods and services, despite many being excluded from receiving…

Result of judicial review further strengthens the need for an empowered CORE to ensure corporate accountability of Canadian companies

As part of a longstanding commitment to improving living and working conditions for Bangladeshi garment workers, the United Steelworkers union (USW) and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) jointly filed a complaint with the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) against retailer Mark’s and its parent company Canadian Tire. In this complaint, we argued that the company uses supplier factories in…

2025 Labour 7 continues to raise concerns about the G7 labour and employment agenda

Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, winds down her tenure as the Labour 7 (L7) Chair under the Canadian G7 presidency. In 2025, the CLC and L7 members advocated for a strong labour track and a Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting (LEMM) under the Canadian G7 presidency. We succeeded in participating at the G7 Employment Working Group (EWG) and…

Protecting Fundamental Rights — Our Concerns with Bill C-9

The CLC condemns all forms of hate, discrimination, and harassment. We will continue to fight for the rights that make Canada a free and democratic country.  This is why we, alongside civil liberties organizations, oppose the current version of Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act.   The version of the Bill being debated in the House of Commons has the potential to infringe on our hard fought-for rights of freedom of expression…