anti-racism

IDERD: Fighting racism means looking back as well as looking forward

March 21, 2022

As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Canada’s unions are making note of statistics released last week showing a dramatic increase in reported hate crimes.

According to Statistics Canada hate crimes targeting race or ethnicity that were reported to police increased by 80 per cent between 2019 and 2020. Notably, hate crimes against East or Southeast Asians went up 301 per cent.

“These statistics are shocking, but at the same time it shouldn’t come as a surprise, given the open demonstrations of white supremacy we’ve seen in our streets recently,” said Lily Chang, Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “It’s time to have some very important conversations about the growing threat of the far right, and labour’s responsibility when it comes to fighting deep, systemic racism.”

The labour movement is integral in the fight against racism, anti-Indigeneity, anti-Black racism, Islamophobia and xenophobia.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the release of CLC’s Anti-Racism Task Force report, drafted based on testimony and submissions from activists across the country.

“This ground-breaking report brought together labour and community activists, and we still work together to educate and mobilize against the dangers posed by white supremacy,” said Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice-President of the CLC.

To mark the anniversary, CLC will be reviewing and updating the recommendations, reporting on the work that’s been done and the work left to do.

To arrange an interview, please contact:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

  • Trade and International Affairs
  • Joint statement from French, British, and Canadian unions

    June 17, 2025
    Click to open the link
  • Trade and International Affairs
  • Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, on the G7 Summit

    June 12, 2025
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • Solidarity in our Pride: Unions Welcome 2025 Pride Season in Celebration of 2SLGBTQI+ Workers and Communities

    June 4, 2025
    Click to open the link
  • Jobs, Economy and Environment
  • Canada’s Labour, Business, and Municipal Leaders Respond to Trump’s Tariff Hike

    June 3, 2025
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • Gaza: ITUC calls for urgent action to end humanitarian catastrophe

    June 2, 2025
    Click to open the link
  • Jobs, Economy and Environment
  • Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, on the Wildfires Affecting Communities Across Canada

    May 31, 2025
    Click to open the link
  • Trade and International Affairs
  • Statement from Bea Bruske in Reaction to Trump’s Plan to Double Tariffs

    May 31, 2025
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • National AccessAbility Week 2025: Federal government must provide a better benefit

    May 29, 2025
    Click to open the link