Publications

Federal government must follow Ontario’s lead on universal approach to child care

Canada’s unions are welcoming the Ontario government’s commitment to a universal approach to child care and say the federal government must do the same. The Ontario government has announced a renewed Early Years and Child Care Policy Framework that pledges to make child care more accessible and affordable to all families, including a plan to invest in new child care…

Manitoba turns the clock back on workers’ rights

The Canadian Labour Congress is urging Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister to bargain in good faith with the province’s public sector workers instead of compromising basic collective bargaining rights. On the last day of the spring legislature sitting last week, the Manitoba Progressive Conservative government rammed through wage freeze legislation that affects the rights of public sector workers in the province,…

Fairer labour laws in Alberta and Ontario set a new standard for Canada

This week, unions and workers’ advocates celebrated as Ontario became the second province in Canada to announce they will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Following a lead set a year ago by Alberta, the Ontario government announced a phased-in minimum wage increase, with indexing to inflation after that. “Alberta took an incredible step a year ago when…

CLC Statement on Israel-Palestine

June 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War and the beginning of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories. As part of its ongoing monitoring and assessment of developments in the enduring conflict in the Middle East, the Canadian Labour Congress reaffirms its support of a peace-building process between Israel and Palestine through the establishment of two sovereign nations.…

Unions respond to US announcement on Paris climate change agreement

The international trade union movement is speaking out with deep concern following US President Donald Trump’s announcement about US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. This morning, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which represents 181 million workers in 163 countries, released a statement outlining the ways Trump’s decision puts workers and human rights at risk globally. Canadian Labour Congress…

Canada’s unions welcome support for forest sector workers and communities

Canada’s unions are welcoming today’s announcement that the federal government is taking steps to support forest sector workers and communities affected by the United States’ imposition of duties on Canadian softwood exports. “The forestry sector is one of Canada’s key economic drivers and these unfair and unjustified U.S. duties threaten more than 25,000 good jobs in nearly every region of…

Unions urge Canadian municipalities to join the “Sanctuary City” movement

The Canadian Labour Congress is urging Canadian municipalities to adopt “sanctuary city” status to support and protect non-status migrants who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, and persecution. “We hope more municipalities will take this step to support people who have very few options and who are just trying to keep themselves and their families…

Canada’s unions celebrate Pride, committing to work for more justice

Over the next few months, Canada’s unions will join others in communities across Canada to celebrate Pride and support LGBTQ2SI equality and justice. While Pride is a time to celebrate, it is also a time for reflection and activism. Pride originated in response to the police crackdown on LGBTQ2SI spaces like the 1981 bath house raids in Toronto. “It is…

$15 minimum wage and fairer employment coming to Ontario

The Canadian Labour Congress joins workers’ advocates celebrating today’s announcement that the Ontario government will raise the provincial minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2019, and reform the province’s employment standards and labour relations laws to improve fairness for all workers. “Raising the minimum wage to $15 will support millions of Ontario workers – thirty percent of the province…

CLC President Hassan Yussuff: Our thoughts are with Manchester

On behalf of the 3.3 million members of the Canadian Labour Congress, I extend my deepest condolences to the people of Manchester and all those who lost loved ones in Monday’s horrific and senseless attack. In these volatile times, it is more important than ever that we stand in solidarity to counter the hate and division which breeds senseless acts…