Publications

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…

New child care legislation includes important commitment to non-profit child care and a qualified and well-supported workforce

Bruske: We welcome new child care legislation and will fight to strengthen it as it moves through committee OTTAWA –– Canada’s unions welcome today’s early learning and child care legislation, Bill C‑35, another success born of the cooperation between the NDP and the Liberal government. “Ensuring affordable, high quality, accessible and flexible services means we will have a Canada-wide system…

Missed opportunity to push pause on rate hikes and put people first

BRUSKE: We should do everything we can to avoid job losses and a painful recession OTTAWA––Canada’s unions reacted with disappointment to the Bank of Canada’s decision today to rush ahead with the seventh interest rate hike this year. “Economists have urged the Bank of Canada to let the impact of previous rate hikes take hold before taking further action that…

Canada’s unions applaud the introduction of federal paid sick leave

Bruske: Thousands of workers in federally-regulated workplaces will benefit; now we need paid sick leave for all workers. OTTAWA — Canada’s unions are pleased to see new legislation making ten days of paid sick leave available for all workers in federally-regulated private-sector workplaces come into effect today. Access to paid sick leave is a critical tool to keep our communities…

Unions welcome new protections for workers’ pensions

Bruske: Senate must now act quickly to pass Bill C-228 and safeguard the hard-earned pensions of millions of workers and pensioners. OTTAWA — Canada’s unions are happy to see Bill C-228 passed in the House of Commons today. This bill aimed to ensure that in the event of an employer becoming insolvent, the employer will have to prioritize paying pensions…

Bank of Canada’s continuous rate hike is not slowing down inflation

Bruske: It’s time to address the true causes of current inflation, protect Canadians against its effects, and safeguard jobs and incomes. OTTAWA –– Canada’s inflation rate held at 6.9 per cent in October, despite the Bank of Canada’s aggressive interest rate increases, while workers across Canada continue to see their cost of living rise.  “To have the Bank of Canada…

Statement by Bea Bruske: Ford’s use of notwithstanding clause is a full-on violation of workers’ rights

Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, released the following statement in solidarity with Ontario’s education professionals’ right to strike. TORONTO – Canada’s unions stand in solidarity with the 55,000 CUPE Ontario School Boards Council of Unions (OSBCU) education workers – early childhood educators, custodians, maintenance and library workers, secretaries, educational assistants, IT professionals – asking for a fair…