Publications

Grocery greedflation leaves families paying more for food

Bruske: Corporate concentration drives up food prices as a few companies occupy an outsized market share OTTAWA––As Canadian families struggle to afford their grocery bill and as profits for grocery chains grow, Canada’s unions are calling on governments to take action on greedflation and the role it has played fuelling the ongoing inflation crisis. “Rising prices on family essentials is…

Statement by Bea Bruske: We must work to avoid a recession that would put many working families at risk

Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, released the following statement after meeting between the Bank of Canada Governor and a delegation of representatives of the labour movement: “Canada’s unions were pleased to have the opportunity to meet with the Governor and Deputy Governors from the Bank of Canada and brief them on the realities facing workers and their…

Parliament must act urgently to make sure workers aren’t left behind

Bruske: MPs must extend temporary help to unemployed workers and act swiftly to permanently fix Canada’s broken EI system. OTTAWA – Canada’s unions are urging members of Parliament to stand up for workers and their families by acting urgently to extend temporary Employment Insurance rules until a permanent fix can be implemented. “Unless MPs and the government take action this…

Politicians must put aside the rhetoric and fix the affordability crisis

Bruske: MPs must work together to help families in need and clamp down on corporate greed OTTAWA – As Parliament reconvenes this week, Canada’s unions are urging Members of Parliament to put aside glib rhetoric and work together to provide relief for those who need it most amid the ongoing affordability crisis. Today’s inflation numbers showed that while CPI has…

Canada’s unions welcome inflation relief

Bruske: Liberal and New Democrat cooperation will help families weather this affordability crisis OTTAWA –– Canada’s unions welcomed new relief announced today to help families struggling with rising prices and congratulated the government for bringing forward measures to make life more affordable for everyday Canadians.  “Moving forward on rental and dental relief is essential and will help to ease the…

Poilievre and the Conservatives can’t be trusted to stand up for workers

Bruske: Poilievre loud on rhetoric, but silent on his real agenda OTTAWA––With his lengthy anti-worker track record and history of cutting health care, Pierre Poilievre’s election as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada is a concern for working families, warned Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Pierre Poilievre has used populist rhetoric to hide away his real…

Rising interest rates mean families suffer another hit in the pocketbook

Bruske: With Parliament set to return, decision makers must put Main Street, not Bay Street, first OTTAWA –– Today’s latest rate hike on top of the ongoing inflation crisis means more struggling families are facing an ever‑tightening financial squeeze. Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, said with the House of Commons returning in less than two weeks, it…

Unions pave path to the middle class for millions of Canadians

Bruske: Growing momentum for workers to demand better OTTAWA–Canada’s unions are marking Labour Day by celebrating the hard-fought gains of the labour movement and bringing workers, their families and allies together in solidarity, united in their commitment to the important work ahead. “The collective power of workers and our long fight for fairness has delivered the forty-hour work week, pensions,…

Despite slowing inflation, prices still rising faster than wages

Bruske: Government should tax corporate profiteers to pay for extending expiring EI measures OTTAWA––Improving inflation numbers are a hopeful sign, but there’s still an affordability crisis facing workers and their families, cautioned Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. Today’s slightly improved CPI numbers showed prices still rising at 7.6% in July, well ahead of average wage growth. Groceries…

Governments must help families facing economic precipice

Bruske: Mounting evidence of low-income families at grave risk from inflation crisis must be wake-up call to all levels of government OTTAWA––Canada’s unions are calling on Canada’s governments to take immediate action to increase supports for low-income people as evidence mounts of a growing number of families unable to afford skyrocketing housing, energy and food costs. “So many are struggling…