Publications

Workers mobilize to Parliament Hill urging action on polycrisis

Bruske : Hundreds of workers will meet with MPs to call for urgent action on the biggest challenges facing Canadian workers and their families OTTAWA–– Hundreds of workers and labour leaders from across Canada are mobilizing to Parliament Hill today to sound the alarm about the mounting issues facing workers. “Workers are being hit over and over again. Rising costs…

Statement by Bea Bruske: We need to strengthen and expand our public health care system

Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, released the following statement after meeting with Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos to discuss the upcoming meeting with Canada’s premiers.  OTTAWA – Canada’s unions are grateful to have had the opportunity to attend a productive and constructive meeting with Minister Duclos.  We had the chance to reiterate that any new funding added to…

Canada’s unions welcome improved long-term care standard —but demand an end to for-profit care

OTTAWA – Canada’s unions welcome improvements to the National Long-Term Care Services Standard but they must be even stronger. The standard released today focus on resident-centered care, a model of senior care that is accommodating and respectful of the resident’s personal wishes and that works directly with the health workers providing the care. “We are happy to see the government…

Canada’s unions are celebrating Canada’s ratification of International Labour Organization Convention 190

Bruske: Workers deserve a safe workplace. This historic convention will establish the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment OTTAWA––C-190 is the first global treaty that acknowledges the universal right to a world of work free from violence and harassment, and establishes a clear framework for ending it. Once ratified, governments are accountable for preventing and…

Bank of Canada’s eighth consecutive rate hike means workers will take another hit

Bruske: With inflation moderating, Bank of Canada has no excuse to further burden Canadians OTTAWA––Canada’s unions are disappointed by the central bank’s decision to continue with its monetary tightening. The most recent consumer price index numbers in Canada and abroad showed that inflation is moderating – yet the Bank is stubbornly raising interest rates for the eighth time.   “We…

Politicians must collaborate to find solutions for Canada’s struggling workers

Bruske: The choices facing decision-makers in the coming months will shape Canada for years to come and Canada’s unions will be there to demand a better Canada for all workers. OTTAWA- As the cabinet retreat adjourns and all parties prepare for the return of Parliament next Monday, Canada’s unions are urging cooperation and collaboration focused on helping struggling families. December’s…

As we head into the holidays, Canadians are struggling after being hammered by aggressive interest rate hikes

Bruske: In 2023, Parliament needs to focus on the true causes of inflation and address the affordability crisis Canadians will continue to face Today’s numbers are further evidence that inflation is already slowly moderating in Canada. Yet again, Canada’s unions are calling on the Bank to pause its tightening cycle and avoid further hiking rates. “The Bank’s rapid and aggressive…

Canada’s unions are lifting everyone up

Bruske: As Parliament adjourns, we celebrate progress made and gear up to fight even harder for workers in 2023  OTTAWA — The current parliamentary session has drawn to a close, and Canada’s unions are taking the opportunity to celebrate the progress made this year for workers.   In 2022, many workers and their families buckled under sky-high inflation, eye-popping grocery bills…

The Bank’s forgotten mandate: Support maximum sustainable employment

BRUSKE: More balanced economic policies needed to avoid devastating job losses OTTAWA –– A year after the Bank of Canada received a new mandate, Canada’s unions are asking what happened to the new directions that added employment considerations when the Bank is setting Canada’s monetary policy. “A year ago, amidst great fanfare, the Bank received direction that Canada’s monetary policy…

Premiers and PM must get health deal done

BRUSKE: Political bickering must be replaced with all-hands-on-deck urgency to save kids’ lives OTTAWA––Canada faces a rising number of children getting seriously ill and even dying from the ‘tripledemic’ of COVID, flu and RSV. Canada’s unions are calling on politicians at all levels to stop the blame and bickering and come together behind providing health care workers with the resources…