Publications

A robust immigration system is key to our recovery

By Hassan Yussuff, as published in The Province COVID-19 has forced rethinks on many aspects of our lives that we previously took for granted. That includes thinking about how our communities function, and specifically about who ensures that they continue to, even in times of upheaval. This has brought more visibility to the workers who many of us don’t often…

The fate of Canada’s workers is intertwined with COVID-19

By Hassan Yussuff, as published in The Globe and Mail Last year, workers in Canada marked the 100th anniversary of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike. It was the largest labour uprising in the country’s history and paved the way for reforms that redefined fair and safe working conditions across the nation. Yet, in all the commemorations, a major part of…

Canada, let’s do better

By Hassan Yussuff, as published in the Toronto Star As we continue to cope with the challenges of COVID-19, we must recognize the opportunity presented by such massive upheaval, and move to implement deep social change in our communities. We must re-imagine what our society can be and re-shape the country to address long ignored inequities – inequities that this…

It’s time for publicly funded health care to include seniors’ care

By Hassan Yussuff as published in National Newswatch The images, the stories, the experiences of our seniors during this pandemic are enough to bring a grown man to tears. In fact, it has. Even Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford has, at times, become emotional while talking about the conditions in the province’s long-term care facilities. It’s a dire situation right across…

There is no economic recovery without adequate child care

By Hassan Yussuff and Goldy Hyder as published in The Star. The economic fallout of COVID-19 is stark – and women are feeling the brunt of it. Over 1.5 million women lost jobs over March and April, according to Statistics Canada. That’s a 17% drop in employment levels since February. Even with workplaces and services beginning to reopen, families will…

A call for collective action

By Hassan Yussuff as published in National Newswatch. We are in the midst of a global pandemic. The federal government is introducing new programs almost daily to support millions of Canadians who have been affected by this crisis. Public service employees are doing amazing work getting that support to the people who need it. Meanwhile, the calls for austerity are…

Canada needs a national task force on how best to reboot the economy

By Hassan Yussuff and Perrin Beatty as published in The Hill Times. Canadians remain physically distanced but the COVID-19 pandemic has tied our well-being to one another like never before. Our fellow Canadians are relying on collective effort to overcome this crisis. Indeed, we are at our best when we work together. Over the past month, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce…

COVID-19 has exposed wide gaps in Canada’s social-safety net

By Hassan Yussuff, as published in The Globe and Mail Across the country, Canadians are stepping up even as the world feels as though it’s turning upside-down. We can see, perhaps now more than ever, how critical it is for governments to support and strengthen our society as a whole. That includes ensuring that all workers and the most vulnerable…

Pharmacare’s time is now

By Hassan Yussuff, as published in The Hill Times. In the next few weeks the Minister of Finance will rise in the house and give a speech laying out the government’s budget priorities for the next year. National pharmacare must be at the top of that list. The three parties who promised pharmacare won a majority of the vote in…

Collective bargaining is good for everyone

By Hassan Yussuff, as published in the Globe and Mail.   The holidays aren’t solely about gift-giving and spreading good cheer. Many workers find themselves having to walk a picket line around this time of year. Everywhere you look these days, teachers, public transit workers, railway and refinery workers seem to be involved in some kind of job action as…