On August 5, 1940, the federal government passed the Unemployment Insurance Act, establishing a fundamental pillar of Canada’s social safety net. Years of political pressure from unions, social groups and the CCF (which became the NDP) forced the Liberal government to take action, even though the constitution had to be amended. More than 75 years later, the program has been…

On July 1, 1935 thousands of people were on the streets of Regina, not to mark their country’s birthday, but to support a group of workers who were protesting against high unemployment, income insecurity and unfair working conditions. When the RCMP charged in to break things up, it caused the biggest riot in Canadian history (so far). The “On To…

Canada’s unions are pleased with strong counter-measures announced today by the federal government in support of workers in the steel and aluminum sectors. The counter-measures come in direct response to the illegal, unjustified and unwarranted tariffs on steel and aluminum recently imposed by the U.S. “We support the federal government’s counter-tariffs as a retaliation to the American bullying tactics. Trump’s…