Publications

Canada’s unions mark January 29 with a call to action

Canada’s unions demand immediate action from the federal government to put an end to the alarming rise of hate and Islamophobia in Canada. The government must release its National Action Plan on Combatting Hate, as well as its long-promised and overdue online harms legislation without further delay, to combat the spread of fascism andfar-right extremism contributing to the rapid growth…

Canada’s unions urge MPs to address workers as we head into a new year

Bruske: Workers are calling on MPs for relief from the relentless cost-of-living crisis OTTAWA––As MPs head back to Parliament, Canada’s unions urged decision-makers to put people first by alleviating the cost-of-living crisis, fixing the healthcare crisis and the workforce crisis, and helping communities cope with the devastating impacts of climate change. “Workers and their families are facing tough financial choices…

Canada’s unions support Argentinian national strike

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), which represents 3 million workers across Canada, together with the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA), the regional body of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), express our deep concern for the situation in Argentina. Since its inauguration on December 10, the government of President Javier Milei has promoted several measures that generate profound…

While governments talk, patients face endless waits and health workers are burning out

Bruske: A year after historic new health care agreements, a triple-demic and slow government action, means Canada’s health care system is still failing our children, seniors and all seriously ill patients.

Workers to MPs: Either stand with us or the rich business lobby

By Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress as published in iPolitics Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre speaks so loudly on so many issues. Which makes his silence deafening on how he’ll vote on a new law, Bill C-58, that would ban the use of replacement workers during strikes and lockouts. After months of trying to woo workers with sympathetic…

CLC Executive Committee reiterates its support for ITUC’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

At its meeting in Ottawa last week, the executive committee of the Canadian Labour Congress received an update on the CLC’s support of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as adopted by the General Council of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in December. The ITUC is the largest trade union federation in the world. The executive voted unanimously to endorse…

Canada’s unions mourn the passing of Ed Broadbent

Bruske: “Ed made this a better country for its working people. We’ll honour his memory by continuing to build a country where we take better care of each other.”  Canada’s unions mourn the passing of longtime NDP leader and labour champion, Ed Broadbent.   “Ed Broadbent was a giant among us, a man with incomparable heart and integrity. Ed championed workers’…

Canada’s unions: Migrant workers in Canada deserve equal rights, protections

Canada’s unions are marking International Migrants Day by calling for greater protections and improved conditions for migrant workers engaged in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Thousands of workers come to Canada each year to work through the TFWP; Statistics Canada reports that temporary foreign workers represented around one-quarter of all agriculture workers in 2021. Many of these workers face…

Statement from Bea Bruske: Poilievre’s Conservatives blocking priority bills for workers

OTTAWA––Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, released the following statement: “Canada’s unions are outraged by the political games on display in Parliament this week as opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and his Conservative Party use procedural tactics to delay, derail, and ultimately block critical pieces of legislation designed to benefit workers across Canada. The Sustainable Jobs Act (Bill C-50)…

Canada’s unions release roadmap for workers to see a path forward in Canada’s changing economy

Bruske: This report offers decision-makers a blueprint to unlock the potential of Canada’s productive, skilled workforce.