Publications

Global labour body warns Bill C-39 could violate Canada’s international obligations

OTTAWA — The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has written directly to Prime Minister Mark Carney, warning that Bill C-39’s proposed restrictions on the right to strike are “highly likely to violate” Canada’s international labour obligations under ILO Convention 87. Representing workers through national trade union organizations in 169 countries and territories, the ITUC is calling on the federal government…

Honouring Truth Means Acting on Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a reminder of our ongoing and collective responsibility to recognize and confront the legacy of the residential school system and other unjust colonial systems and policies impacting the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada today. This year marks 11 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report and 94…

CEOs covered by new labour code make up to 199 times more than their workers

OTTAWA — As some of Canada’s biggest employers welcome the government’s new restrictions on the right to strike, new analysis from the Canadian Labour Congress finds that CEOs at six of Canada’s biggest employers make as much as 199 times the average compensation in their industries. In 2024, the CEOs of Air Canada, CN, CPKC, Rogers, Bell, and TELUS received…

Bill C-39 would give Canadian government broadest strike intervention powers in G7 

OTTAWA — If passed, Bill C-39 would give the Canadian government broader unilateral power to end a legal strike than exists in any other G7 country, according to a comparative legal analysis commissioned by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).  That includes Donald Trump’s United States, where even the President cannot unilaterally end a national-emergency strike and impose a binding settlement. U.S.…

Employers cheer Bill C-39 restrictions on the right to strike

OTTAWA — Employer groups are welcoming Bill C-39’s new powers to end legal strikes. Canada’s unions say their reaction exposes the contradiction in the government’s claims about “strengthening” workers’ rights. “When large corporations are cheering new government powers to shut down legal strikes, workers should be alarmed,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Bill C-39 gives one…

Take a stand and Rise Up! for Gender Justice with Canada’s Unions

Statement from Siobhán Vipond, Executive Vice President, to mark Gender Equality Week 2026: Across Canada, workers are taking decisive action to fight for gender justice in every sphere of our lives. At a time of worsening economic uncertainty, never ending trade wars and an alarming trend of anti-worker and anti-human rights legislative actions, women and gender diverse workers are too…

Canada’s unions united against new restrictions on the right to strike

OTTAWA — Canada’s unions are united in calling on the federal government to remove new restrictions on the right to strike from its proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code. “Last night, I met with the heads of Canada’s unions, representing workers across the country and every part of our economy. We are united: any new restriction on the right…

Canadian Labour Congress to hold press conference on Canada Labour Code changes

OTTAWA — Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske will hold a press conference Tuesday to respond to changes to the Canada Labour Code and what that means for workers’ rights, collective bargaining and the right to strike. Bruske will be joined by Mark Rowlinson of Goldblatt Partners LLP to provide an analysis of the changes and their impact on workers.…

Government legislation undermines the right to strike

Labour welcomes progress on some issues, seeks amendment to the bill OTTAWA – Bea Bruske, the President of the Canadian Labour Congress, has issued the following statement: “We’ve had a first look at the changes to the Canada Labour Code. There are things in this bill that unions have fought for and that will improve protections for workers, including progress…

Canada’s unions look to government to keep its commitment on the right to strike

Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress: Today, the federal government is expected to introduce significant changes to the Canada Labour Code. Canada’s unions will be watching closely. The government has repeatedly said it will protect the right to strike. We welcome that commitment. Today, we expect to see what it means in practice. Canada is confronting…