Publications

It’s time to end gender-based violence at work

A call centre worker receives a torrent of verbal abuse while helping a customer. A nurse returns from work with bruises and torn scrubs after being attacked by an agitated patient. A barista is stalked by a regular customer. These stories are a daily reality for many workers across Canada–and unfortunately, current worker protections fall short. For the past three…

A path to the middle class for millions of workers

By Bea Bruske, as published in The Province If you appreciate having weekends, a forty-hour work week, pensions, compensation for workplace injuries, maternity leave or even collective bargaining at all, thank a union organizer. The reality is, without the contributions of the labour movement, Canadian workers wouldn’t have these or so many other protections. But these gains were not accomplished…

Bank of Canada governor should stay in his lane and not undermine collective bargaining

It isn’t the 1970s; evidence does not point to a wage-price spiral. So why is Tiff Macklem now warning about wages rather than corporate profiteering? By Bea Bruske, as published in the Toronto Star The spotlight has shone brightly on Canada’s Bank Governor this year. Tiff Macklem’s starring role has put him centre stage in Canada’s ongoing inflation drama. As…

Canada at an Economic Crossroads: A Better Normal or Settling for Worse?

By Bea Bruske, as published in National Newswatch With the federal budget just a day away, Bay St. CEOs and senior bankers are stumbling over themselves, rushing to declare mission accomplished and claim the economic crisis is over. They are determined to fill up Canada’s opinion pages with arguments urging the government that it’s time to go back to normal.…

Hope and optimism shines through the grey fog of Ottawa politics

By Bea Bruske, as published in The Hill Times We saw a refreshing ray of hope shine through the grey fog of Ottawa politics this week. Watching Jagmeet Singh and Justin Trudeau announce their Confidence-and-Supply agreement this week was a welcome antidote to the noxious partisan rhetoric of recent weeks and months. I felt like I could almost see Jack…

Resilience, Determination and Ambition in 2022

By Bea Bruske I think almost everyone can agree 2021 was a rough year. The pandemic we hoped was ending now rolls on with new variants and new disruptions. But in 2021 we also saw some hopeful signs of what’s possible when people work together in common cause. Workers with newfound confidence demanding better. People seeking out jobs that offered…

Canada should crack down on tax evasion and put that revenue to good use

By Hassan Yussuff Buried in the government’s 724-page federal budget is an important commitment that has yet to receive its fair share of praise: the promise to increase corporate transparency and crack down on tax evasion and money laundering. Taken on its own, the budget’s promise to create a “public beneficial ownership registry” does not mean much to the average…

National Day of Mourning: the human cost of COVID-19

By Hassan Yussuff as published in The Hamilton Spectator Every year, workers and their families come together on April 28, the National Day of Mourning, to mourn those lost to workplace illness and injuries. This year, Canada’s unions are shining a light on the human cost of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The enduring call to “Mourn the Dead; Fight for the…

Too many people are struggling to pay for their medications

By Hassan Yussuff, Doug Roth, Linda Silas, as published in Toronto Star   A silent health crisis is looming as more people struggle to pay for their prescription drugs. Even before the pandemic, the statistics were staggering. About 7.5 million citizens—one in five Canadians—either did not have prescription drug insurance or had inadequate insurance to cover their medication needs. One…

Labour and anti-hate activists must unite to confront white supremacy

By Hassan Yussuff and Bernie M. Farber, as published in Toronto Star January 27 2021 As civil society leaders, we have individually and together advanced workers’ rights and inclusive communities. Despite the passage of years, we find ourselves once again facing down a familiar threat: white supremacy and far-right extremism. In fact, we both happened to reconnect by phone on…