Publications

Canada has an opportunity and a responsibility to be a voice for peace

The Canadian Labour Congress urges Prime Minister Carney to reaffirm his July 30 statement to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly this month. “Canada has an opportunity and a responsibility to be a voice for peace. In times of conflict, our commitment to diplomacy, international law, and human rights must guide…

Statement by Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, on the Prime Minister’s trade and tariff announcement

Ottawa – Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, released the following statement: “Canada’s unions are ready to work with government to make sure today’s announcement delivers for workers and for our economy. Ottawa‘s strategy must prioritize good jobs and better lives for workers their families. To succeed, we need we need a clear industrial strategy that coordinates across…

Happy Labour Day: Workers’ Power Is the Answer to the New Gilded Age

By Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress  Happy Labour Day. Today, we celebrate the power of workers — past, present, and future. It was workers who won weekends, universal health care, pensions, unemployment insurance, parental leave, pay equity, and health and safety laws. And it will be workers who win the next generation of rights, protections, and fairness. …

Statement from Bea Bruske on Carney’s plan to remove U.S. counter-tariffs

Canada’s unions refuse to accept punishing tariffs on our critical export industries as the “new normal.” These tariffs have been an attack on Canadian workers and our economy, and our government must stand strong. Rolling over to Donald Trump’s demands is not an option. Let’s be clear: capitulation hasn’t delivered Canada a single gain from Trump. Whether it was scrapping…

CUPE flight attendants prove bargaining, not Carney’s Section 107, delivers deals

OTTAWA – Air Canada flight attendants, members of CUPE, have delivered a decisive blow to employers who think they can sidestep fair bargaining by hiding behind Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. Prime Minister Carney’s government chose to impose Section 107 just hours after the strike began—an unprecedented and heavy-handed move to tilt the scales in the employer’s favour.…

CANADA’S LABOUR MOVEMENT STANDS UNITED AGAINST GOVERNMENT VIOLATION OF WORKERS’ RIGHTS

Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, following an emergency meeting of Canada’s Unions on the Air Canada Flight Attendants Strike  ‘’Tonight, the heads of Canada’s unions met in an emergency session to stand united behind Air Canada Flight Attendants in defying the government’s unconstitutional attack on workers’ rights.  We came out stronger and united, with a…

Statement from Bea Bruske: Trump’s 35% Tariffs Demand a Bold Response

We are once again facing a direct economic assault on Canada and Canadian workers. Donald Trump’s announcement of 35% tariffs on our goods coming into force on August 1st is a calculated attack—an attempt to bully our country, break our backbone, and force us to kneel to his agenda. It comes two days after he imposed a 50% tariff on…

Canada’s unions applaud recognition of Palestinian statehood and urge further action to end the crisis in Gaza

Open Letter from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, to Prime Minister Mark Carney Dear Prime Minister:  On behalf of Canada’s unions, I am writing about the unspeakable situation in Gaza and what can only be described as genocide. The October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas was an atrocity. The collective punishment being inflicted on millions of Palestinians in…

Gaza: ITUC condemns Israeli interception of Handala solidarity boat and arrest of trade unionists

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) expresses deep concern and condemnation over the recent interception and detention of the civilian vessel Handala by the Israeli military in international waters. The Handala, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was carrying vital humanitarian aid to Gaza, along with 21 peaceful activists committed to human rights and international solidarity. Among those unlawfully detained are…

Council of the Federation must focus on the impact of the trade war on workers

Bea Bruske, the President of the Canadian Labour Congress, issued the following statement today: Today, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada’s premiers are meeting to discuss the impact of Trump’s trade war on Canada. Workers should be front and centre for Canada’s leaders. This trade war has already taken a major toll on Canada’s workers. We are losing jobs or…