Publications

Canadians can’t afford for-profit long-term care

Bruske: It’s time to get the profit out of care OTTAWA –– A new report shows billions of dollars in public funds for long-term care have been diverted from patient care into the pockets of shareholders. Canada’s unions call on the federal government to make long-term care part of Canada’s public health care system. “This report is brutal evidence of…

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…

Bruske to German Chancellor and the G7: Turn from ambition to action on climate and just transition

Bruske: We must not trade good jobs for low-quality, precarious work as we accelerate progress on tackling the climate crisis BERLIN – Today in Germany, Bea Bruske delivered a strong message from international labour leaders to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, President of the G7. “When it comes to building a plan to decarbonize every sector of our economies, it is…

Turn minimum wages into living wages and index to inflation

Bruske: StatCan numbers show markets aren’t delivering fair wages – governments must take action OTTAWA – With the cost of living still rising while wages lag far behind, today’s Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey shows that low unemployment numbers don’t mean workers are seeing positive changes to their paycheques. According to Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, there…

Canada’s unions celebrate end to discriminatory blood donation policy

Bruske: Long-awaited victory for 2SLGBTQI advocates OTTAWA –– After waiting three decades, Canada’s unions welcome today’s decision by the Canadian government to reverse its discriminatory blood donation policy, which had been in place since 1992.    “This is a positive step in addressing ongoing systemic discrimination experienced by 2SLGBTQI people,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). …

Building a low-wage economy with stomach-churning greed

Bruske: Minimum wage employees being replaced by offshore workers making $3.75 an hour will hurt workers everywhere OTTAWA –– Replacing frontline workers with exploited offshore workers, as the restaurant chain Freshii is now doing, moves us towards a low-wage economy that weakens our communities and exploits workers, according to Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “This is about replacing…

Helping families facing affordability squeeze must be MPs’ job one

Bruske: As Parliament returns, Canada’s unions urge MPs to back workers and reject the push for a low-wage austerity agenda OTTAWA –– The highest inflation in over three decades plus the largest interest rate rise in over twenty years adds up to families falling further behind. Figures released last week revealed that inflation now stands at 6.7 percent, and rising,…

Government must not break their promise and leave Canadians paying sky-high drug costs

Canada’s unions are troubled about the government’s decision late today, to reverse course on changes to patented drug regulations, potentially forcing Canadian families to pay billions more for needed medicines. “We are calling on the government: don’t break your promise to Canadians. We can’t count on big pharmaceutical corporations to stand up for Canadians, that’s the job of our governments,”…

Rising interest rates and record inflation creating perfect storm of unaffordability

Bruske: With the cost of everything – even debt – rising fast, we must fight low-wage policies that hurt workers and their families OTTAWA – With fast rising interest rates and inflation increasing well ahead of wages, Canada’s unions are urging governments to take action to help families facing an ever‑tightening financial squeeze. Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour…

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…