Publications

Canada’s unions say pharmacare council gets it right, now governments must act

Canada’s unions are applauding the recommendation made by the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare for the adoption of a public, universal and single-payer plan for prescription drug coverage across Canada. “Universal pharmacare will fundamentally improve the lives of all Canadians and, with this report, we finally have a blueprint for completing the medicare system Canada first adopted…

Hassan Yussuff available for comment following release of report on pharmacare

OTTAWA – CLC President Hassan Yussuff is available for comment following the release of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare’s final report. The Council is expected to release its report at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 12. Canada’s unions have been campaigning for universal public pharmacare that would cover all Canadians, regardless of their age, income, or…

Canada’s unions play key role in ILO negotiations on addressing violence at work

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Representatives from labour, governments, and employers are meeting this month as part of the 108th International Labour Conference in Geneva. Marie Clarke Walker, Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), serves as the Worker Spokesperson and will continue as a key leader in the effort to strengthen obligations…

Prohibiting violence and harassment in the world of work

By Marie Clarke Walker The numbers are staggering. More than 800 million women globally have experienced some form of violence and harassment, ranging from physical assault to verbal abuse, bullying and intimidation, according to the International Trade Union Confederation. Here in Canada, a 2018 Angus Reid study found that 1 in 2 women reported experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace.…

This Collective Bargaining Rights Day, Unions Celebrate Wins for All Workers

Canada’s unions are recognizing June 8 as Collective Bargaining Rights Day by celebrating the labour movement’s long and proud history of winning important gains at the bargaining table, a legacy that improves the economic realities for all Canadian workers and their families. “Collective bargaining allows working people to take part in fundamental decisions affecting their lives and, through collective action,…

Time for Pride celebration, and resistance to attacks on human rights, say Canada’s unions

As Pride events are held in communities across the country, Canada’s unions are celebrating the achievements of LGBTQ2SI activism from coast to coast, while committing to challenging the rise of racism and hate politics threatening human rights around the world. “Pride season is an important moment to come together and celebrate the victories and visibility of LGBTQ2SI activism in our…

Canada’s unions support the call for immediate action to end violence against Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people

Canada’s unions are calling the long-awaited report on the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls the necessary and long overdue blueprint for immediate action. The report, released today, follows three years of painful testimonies from 2000 affected individuals and their families, shared during dozens of community meetings across the country. “The final report calls what is happening…

Labour Market Snapshot – Q1 2019: Behind the headlines

How is Canada’s economy really doing?  The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) provides a detailed quarterly analysis of select labour market indicators and what it means for Canada’s workers. In our spring snapshot, the CLC discovers that while job growth in Canada is strong, garnering laudatory headlines, there is a hidden story. While the unemployment rate hovered near 40-year lows, the…

Canada’s unions celebrate historic accessibility legislation

Canada’s unions are marking National AccessAbility Week – May 26 to June 1 – by celebrating the historic passage of Bill C-81, An Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada, the first national accessibility legislation in Canada. Bill C-81 is expected to receive royal assent in the coming weeks. “Canada’s unions and workers with disabilities are gratified to see federal accessibility…

Unions vow to protect reproductive rights as fundamental rights

Following a series of regressive abortion laws passed in several American states, Canada’s unions are expressing solidarity with advocates in the United States who are fighting to protect reproductive rights. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) further commits to protecting our own hard-won gains and to fill the gaps in access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada, including…