Reject corporate gaslighting and deliver help for people in Budget 2024
March 25, 2024
By Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress as published in iPolitics We hear a familiar call coming from wealthy interests – joining forces once again with Conservatives – banging the drum for more corporate tax giveaways and deeper cuts to government spending in the upcoming Budget. Bay Street analysts and bank lobbyists loudly lament Canada’s “tumbling productivity”, sneeringly spreading blame…
To address the ongoing affordability crisis, Parliamentarians should support Bill C-56 and back unions to counterbalance corporate power
December 5, 2023
By Dr. DT Cochrane, Senior Economist at the Canadian Labour Congress as published in The Hill Times Bill C-56, better known as the “Affordable Housing and Groceries Act”, gets its third reading this week. It includes an important change for challenging the corporate power that has worsened the affordability crisis: repeal of the “efficiency exception” from the Competition Act. Currently,…
Poilievre and the Conservatives can’t be trusted to stand up for workers
September 1, 2023
Bruske: Poilievre loud on rhetoric, but silent on his real agenda OTTAWA––With his lengthy anti-worker track record and history of cutting health care, Pierre Poilievre’s election as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada is a concern for working families, warned Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Pierre Poilievre has used populist rhetoric to hide away his real…
Canada’s unions: Urgent action required to rein in corporate greed
March 9, 2023
Bruske: Wealthy grocery CEOs must be held to account for Canadians’ skyrocketing grocery bills OTTAWA –– Yesterday, Loblaw CEO Galen Weston Jr., Empire CEO Michael Medline and Metro CEO Eric La Flèche testified before the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food about sky-high food prices. Canada’s unions are now urging the federal government to crack down on corporate greed and…
Politicians must collaborate to find solutions for Canada’s struggling workers
January 24, 2023
Bruske: The choices facing decision-makers in the coming months will shape Canada for years to come and Canada’s unions will be there to demand a better Canada for all workers. OTTAWA- As the cabinet retreat adjourns and all parties prepare for the return of Parliament next Monday, Canada’s unions are urging cooperation and collaboration focused on helping struggling families. December’s…
Bea Bruske: Bank of Canada should pause rate hikes now to avert a manufactured recession
December 6, 2022
By Bea Bruske, as published in the Financial Post. Bank risks substantially weakening our economy, potentially throwing hundreds of thousands of Canadians out of work Facing a one-two punch of sky-high prices on daily essentials combined with rising credit card, mortgage and other bills, the last thing Canadians need right now is a recession, which could mean massive job losses…
Fall economic statement: Canada’s unions welcome new investments
November 3, 2022
Bruske: We are happy to finally see this government move toward a more sustainable future. OTTAWA –– Canada’s unions applaud the announced investment in workers, sustainable jobs and training that will help equip workers with the skills they need to meet the challenges of Canada’s economic future. “Canada’s unions have long advocated for federal guidance and investment in the training…
Workers push back, demand decent work from decision-makers
October 7, 2022
As the global community marks World Day for Decent Work, workers around the world are standing up to employers and governments and demanding better: better working conditions, better wages and better access to benefits. The economic impacts of the pandemic highlighted not only existing inequality, but showed how a lack of workplace benefits – like paid sick leave – can…
Politicians must put aside the rhetoric and fix the affordability crisis
September 20, 2022
Bruske: MPs must work together to help families in need and clamp down on corporate greed OTTAWA – As Parliament reconvenes this week, Canada’s unions are urging Members of Parliament to put aside glib rhetoric and work together to provide relief for those who need it most amid the ongoing affordability crisis. Today’s inflation numbers showed that while CPI has…