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’ issues and always stood up for the most marginalized among us. He was a great leader, mentor and friend to so many of us, and he will be missed more than words can express,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. 

An accomplished parliamentarian, Broadbent’s advocacy on behalf of workers and his unwavering support for unions made him a pillar of the Canadian labour movement. He founded the Broadbent Institute in 2011 which has championed progressive change through valuable research and analysis, education and support for a new generation of leaders. 

“We are committed to honouring Ed’s legacy by keeping up the fight for workers’ rights, social justice and the preservation of democracy, in Canada and around the world,” said Bruske.  

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“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) is aimed at shaping Canada’s strategy to protect and create good, low-carbon jobs, while anti-scab Bill C-58 is focused on restoring fairness for workers in collective bargaining, yet the Conservatives are doing everything in their power to block these bills.

“At a time when workers and their families are reflecting on a year that was marked by a crushing affordability crisis, the devastating impacts of climate change and constant undermining of workers’ rights by wealthy corporations, Poilievre has opted to double down on attacking working people.

“Mr. Poilievre’s actions in Parliament differ sharply from the public persona he is trying to create. But recent polls indicate that the public is starting to see through the nonsense. Whether it’s voting against school meals for hungry kids, filibustering legislation that would create and protect good jobs, or siding with corporations over everyday Canadians, Poilievre and the Conservatives consistently oppose the priorities that Canada’s unions advocate for on behalf of all workers. We won’t let it go unchallenged.

“Canada’s unions strongly urge Mr. Poilievre and his colleagues in the Conservative Party to stop using workers and their families as political pawns. Parliamentarians of all stripes must work together for the good of hardworking people across this country. That starts with passing Bill C-50 and Bill C-58.”

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“So many people are worried that health care won’t be there for their family when they need it. Or a personal care bed won’t be available for their parents,” explained Bruske. “But the reality is, we only get the change we want when we make our power felt at the ballot box. In this election, that means getting out to the polls and electing Wab Kinew premier of Manitoba with a strong mandate for the NDP on October 3^rd.” 

While Heather Stefanson’s PCs offered negative attacks, Bruske said Wab Kinew and the NDP have been able to bring so many Manitobans together behind a constructive and inclusive message. 

“I know Wab Kinew. I have always been impressed with how much he cares about people and his ability to get things done. The way he’s brought together Manitobans from different political backgrounds, like Gary Doer and Lloyd Axworthy, just shows how he’s ready to lead our province,” said Bruske “Now it’s our turn as Manitobans to have our say. We have an opportunity to vote in a government that will bring in the kind of positive change we want.” 

Bruske added that the best way for Manitobans to respond to the negative campaigning of Heather Stefanson and the PCs is to mark their ballot for the optimistic and progressive ideas Wab Kinew and the NDP have brought to this election campaign. 

“We saw Heather Stefanson continue the Pallister legacy of broken promises. Four more years of heartless Stefanson-Pallister governments would be a disaster for our province. Fortunately, Manitobans are seeing through Stefanson’s fearmongering, and demonizing of workers,” concluded Bruske. “Let’s turn the page on handouts to billionaires and cuts to health and education. Let’s elect a government that will put help for people, stronger health care, respect for workers and good jobs back at the heart of Manitoba’s government.” 

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Please contact: 
CLC Media Relations 
media@clcctc.ca 
613-526-7426 

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“Back-to-work legislation would be a misstep that would only aggravate the situation. If the right to strike is weakened by the federal government legislating the 7000 ILWU workers back to work, it will have a significant impact on every Canadian who expects to have their rights protected by their government. Collective bargaining and the right to strike are fundamental rights. They are central to our democracy. We urge your government to allow the parties to finish bargaining the outstanding issues in good faith,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. 

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In advance of the summit, trade union leaders from G7 countries have issued the joint Labour 7 statement to the G7 Leaders’ Summit 2022: Shaping the Global Common Good Peace and Democracy, Climate Action, Health, Fair Digitalisation.

You can read the full statement here.

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The latest escalation in this long-fought struggle is the recent introduction of national security legislation by the Chinese government which will allow Chinese state security forces to operate in Hong Kong.

“Our Brothers and Sisters are in the fight of their lives to save the core freedoms and principles of democracy in Hong Kong,” said CLC president Hassan Yussuff. “Canadian workers condemn the new security legislation and all attempts to strip people of their freedoms.”

Hong Kong holds separate governance status from China as a Special Administrative Region. This legislation is in direct violation of the Basic Law that mandates local legislation on national security matters, with Hong Kong in formal control of the police and judiciary. The new security law will broaden Beijing’s power over Hong Kong.

This is the latest in a series of actions aimed at broadening Beijing’s power over Hong Kong including last year’s extradition law. These moves have sparked fierce dissent from pro-democracy activists, which has been met with excessive use of force by authorities.

The annual Hong Kong vigil, held every June 4, marking the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, has been banned for the first time in 30 years. Concerns about the deterioration of rights are growing with dissent and protest in Hong Kong now routinely being labelled as terrorism and accounts of Chinese authorities imposing limitations on movement and assembly under the guise of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

When the Hong Kong administration passes the new law, the free exercise of fundamental rights, including the trade union right to freely associate and liaise with international organisations, will be suppressed in the name of national security. A frightening prospect ahead of elections planned in September.

The international community must keep watch and call attention to what is happening in Hong Kong.

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Israel’s new coalition government has announced it will move forward with the process of annexing West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley as early as July.

The unilateral annexation of territory has been strictly prohibited under international law since 1945 when the Charter of the United Nations was adopted. Israel’s control of the Palestinian territories has been denounced as illegal under international law and in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and the Geneva Convention.

Under Israeli occupation, Palestinians have been forced to live under heavy restrictions that limit their access to work, health, housing and social affairs. As Israel has expanded its settlements and built a separation wall around Palestinian lands – illegal acts under international law – Palestinians have been subject to evictions and displacement, confiscation of land, settler violence and loss of access to natural resources.

This annexation will have devastating social and economic implications. It is expected that this would disconnect around 200,000 Palestinians from their communities and livelihoods. It will also advance the annexation of Jerusalem and destroy the establishment of a Palestinian capital in the city, breaking the territorial contiguity between East Jerusalem and the West Bank. This contiguity is essential for the fabric of life for Palestinians.

The government of Canada must send a strong message in opposition to the illegal and unilateral annexation of Palestinian lands and officially recognize the State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders. Canada must consider a forceful response, including revisiting the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement and other bilateral agreements and the imposition of economic sanctions against Israel.

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“The expansion of the CERB to include those continuing to work in low-income, precarious jobs is an important step,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “This move will be a relief to many workers who have been struggling and were left out of previous supports. The NDP should be credited with helping to influence this expansion of the emergency benefit.”

The Prime Minister’s announcement of top-up payments for essential workers, including those working in long-term care, is also a necessary move, said Yussuff.

Workers in long-term care often hold multiple part-time positions in different facilities in order to make a decent living. These workers are often without sick leave or benefits of any kind.

“This crisis has made it clear that our society’s essential workers have been grossly undervalued for too long,” said Yussuff. “When we start to re-open the economy, we must work to rectify these structural inequities around compensation and support. We must go to bat for the very workers who are ensuring our society continues to function throughout this pandemic.”

The CERB expansion also includes supports for hundreds of thousands of seasonal workers, Canadians who became unemployed before the COVID crisis and workers who have exhausted their EI claims.

“We will continue to work closely with government and opposition parties to bring attention to the experiences and needs of workers throughout various sectors in order to identity any new or emerging gaps,” said Yussuff.

For more information:
CLC Media Relations
media@clcctc.ca
613-526-7426

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“The Bank of Canada has reduced its lending rate to historically low levels and that means it’s cheaper for financial institutions to borrow money,” said Canadian Labour Congress President, Hassan Yussuff. “Passing those saving on to help struggling families weather this storm is the right thing to do.”

The CLC is calling on all financial institutions to reducing interest rates on all purchases made after March 15th, and all balances carried forward from prior to that date, for the duration of the COVID-19 health crisis.

“This is a defining moment in our country’s history, and I am urging CEOs to step up and take action to support the common good,” said Yussuff.

The CLC is collecting signatures to put more pressure on the banks and credit card companies to respond to this call, you can sign on here.

A letter has also been sent from CLC to the CEOs of financial institutions asking them to take steps to reduce the debt families are facing.

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One thousand members of USW have been locked out of their workplace at an aluminum smelter in Bécancour, Quebec for the past 17 months.

Over the spring of 2019, Quebec’s Premier François Legault made numerous public statements favouring ABI, the employer, and undermining the union representing ABI workers.

The USW lodged a formal complaint with the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social justice and promote decent work by setting international labour standards. Canada has been a signatory to ILO Convention 87 – Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise – for over 45 years and, in 2017, Canada ratified ILO Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining.

In a letter to the ILO sent on June 19, 2019, CLC’s President Hassan Yussuff writes that, “The CLC supports the USW position that the Government of Quebec, through the public statements made by its leader and official representative, Premier François Legault, interfered in negotiations in the 17-month lockout at the aluminum smelter in Bécancour, co-owned by multi-national aluminum giants Alcoa and Rio Tinto.”

Click here to read the CLC’s full letter.

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Canada is among several countries, including the U.S. and Brazil, that endorsed Juan Guaidó, Venezuelan opposition leader and President of the National Assembly, who declared himself interim President of Venezuela last week. Canada further denounced Nicolás Maduro as President and called last year’s elections in Venezuela fraudulent and illegitimate.

The CLC is alarmed at the escalation of international interference in the democratic process of a sovereign nation, including the possibility of military intervention. The CLC vehemently rejects a militarized solution to this crisis; the people of Latin America have not forgotten the brutal history of military rule in the region.

“Venezuelans need to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and democratic processes without resorting to violence,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff.

International intervention is intensifying political divisions and inflaming tensions in the country. There are reports of violence and casualties, including deaths, during protests and demonstrations. The CLC calls on the Government of Canada to abstain from seeking regime change and intervening in the sovereign affairs of Venezuela. Canada’s role on the world stage is better suited to promote stability through constructive dialogue with the international community.

The CLC stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people and supports their right to peaceful self-determination.

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Today also marks the 70th commemoration of the Nakba, or Catastrophe Day, where more than 700,000 Arabs fled, or were expelled, from their homes during the 1947 49 war. For Palestinians, this is a day of mourning and resistance, calling for the respect of international law and the right of return for refugees to Palestine.

The CLC supports a vision of two nations co-existing in peace and security, within safe borders, free from occupation. We believe that direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine are the only viable avenue to the resolution of the conflict. Once again, the CLC calls on the Canadian government to recognize the State of Palestine.

In light of recent events, including the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the controversial and provocative relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, constructive dialogue is now all the more difficult to achieve. On this day, we mourn those who have lost their lives and stand in solidarity with Palestinian workers calling for human rights and social justice and the respect for international law.

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