Better Pay and Benefits

Hidden in Conservative platform: An attack on public pensions and EI

August 19, 2021

Conservatives would relegate gig workers to second-class citizens in Canada’s workforce

OTTAWA – Hidden in Erin O’Toole’s Conservative policy platform is a kick in the teeth for the retirement and job security of gig workers.

“Conservatives have a policy plan that includes a blatant attack on public pensions. They would permanently relegate gig workers to second-class status in Canada’s workforce,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

The Conservative platform proposes a new private retirement and wage-loss scheme for gig workers that would replace the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI) program. It’s called the portable Employee Savings Account, and it forces workers to depend on a private fund at the mercy of bank fees and subject to unpredictable stock markets.

“The Conservatives’ plan denies over a million gig economy workers access to not only the protections of basic labour standards, but to the Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance as well,” said Bruske. “These workers kept Canada going during the darkest days of the pandemic, yet Erin O’Toole and the Conservatives would deny them retirement security, EI benefits and even basic legal protections. That is reprehensible.”

The policy, as outlined in the Conservative election platform, would exclude gig economy workers from vital social programs that provide employees cost-effective retirement and unemployment benefits and force them into a riskier private plan.

“If Erin O’Toole forms government he would create two tiers of Canadian workers. One with basic workplace protections and hard-fought benefits, built by generations of Canadians – the other left to the whims of the market,” said Bruske. “Mr. O’Toole has made quite a show of claiming he is pro-union and pro-worker, but his platform amounts to a hypocritical attack on workers,” concluded Bruske.

“Canada’s unions will fight this unfair scheme and stand up for gig economy workers.”

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-355-1962

  • Trade and International Affairs
  • 11 years after the Rana Plaza factory collapse, Canada’s unions honour victims and continue demands to improve conditions for workers

    April 23, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Social Justice and Democracy
  • Canada’s unions are united: Want our votes? Enhance our rights!

    April 18, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Jobs, Economy and Environment
  • Touchdown! CFLPA joins Canadian Labour Congress

    April 18, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Jobs, Economy and Environment
  • Labour reps discuss election strategy and union momentum

    April 17, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Jobs, Economy and Environment
  • Bolder action needed to make life more affordable and tackle corporate greed

    April 16, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Jobs, Economy and Environment
  • Sustainable Jobs Act passes in House of Commons

    April 15, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Jobs, Economy and Environment
  • BUDGET 2024 MUST INVEST IN AFFORDABILITY, REJECT AUSTERITY

    April 4, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Social Justice and Democracy
  • Reject corporate gaslighting and deliver help for people in Budget 2024

    March 25, 2024
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • Canada must address systemic racism and discrimination in the workforce

    March 21, 2024
    Click to open the link