Fiscal update’s emphasis on investments will spare Canadians further economic hardship and spur recovery
November 30, 2020
Canada’s unions say the federal government’s fiscal update will help the nation’s workers weather current health and economic hardships through the pandemic. Today’s update extends critical income support and economic measures to help Canadians and businesses. While today’s commitments on key priorities remain modest and reflect past promises, the government has signalled it will make further investments as the recovery…
Canada’s unions to respond to federal government’s fiscal update
November 27, 2020
Canada’s unions will be responding to the federal government’s Economic and Fiscal Snapshot, scheduled for Monday, November 30. Canada’s unions have been calling for targeted federal investments to help workers and their families get through the pandemic and to ensure a swift economic rebound and recovery. Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, will be available to comment once…
Canada’s workers engage MPs during first-ever Virtual Action Week
November 5, 2020
By Hassan Yussuff, as published in National Newswatch On any given day of a normal year, Parliament Hill is buzzing with people lobbying elected representatives. According to the federal government’s lobbying commissioner, there were 18,728 monthly communications reports submitted in 2019 20. Those communications reports were generated in large part by paid, registered lobbyists working with large corporations. This year,…
People from across Canada will be lobbying MPs next week, in the first large-scale virtual lobbying event since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic exposed deep disparities and vulnerabilities in our economy and society. It has also radically changed the lives of people across Canada. Workers want the federal government to disaster-proof the economy by committing to investments…
Canada’s unions welcome employment gains, but urge continued focus on jobs
October 9, 2020
OTTAWA – Canada’s unions welcome the job gains reported in the September findings from Statistics Canada’s monthly labour force survey released today, but are warning that expanded government investment will remain crucial to a full economic recovery. “Despite ongoing gains, the latest numbers continue to signal medium-term risks to Canada’s labour market,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour…
‘Safe Restart’ agreement helps pave the path forward
July 17, 2020
OTTAWA – Canada’s unions are welcoming the inclusion of job-protected sick leave in the ‘Safe Restart’ agreement reached between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. “We were very glad to see sick leave specifically mentioned in this agreement,” said Canadian Labour Congress President, Hassan Yussuff. “Canada’s unions have been fighting for paid sick leave for all workers. This ensures that…
Canada’s unions urge government to stay on fiscal track
July 8, 2020
OTTAWA – The fiscal update released today shows that there is still room for economic expansion by the federal government. Canada’s approach so far has been measured and proportionate, with spending in line with other G7 countries. “A single deficit number does not tell the full story. If we look at the total debt to GDP ratio, Canada is still…
Government must continue to invest in workers and families
July 8, 2020
In anticipation of today’s fiscal update, Canada’s unions are calling on the federal government to hold steady on investing in the nation’s workers. The federal government moved quickly to respond to the economic fallout precipitated by COVID-19. Since March, the government has spent heavily on a variety of programs that ensure workers and businesses received support throughout this crisis. “The…
Canada’s unions applaud expansion of income supports
April 15, 2020
OTTAWA – Canada’s unions welcome today’s federal announcement of an expansion of the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to include those who are still making moderate incomes. “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…
Hundreds of activists bring union priorities to the Hill
February 25, 2020
OTTAWA – Hundreds of union activists are meeting with Members of Parliament and Senators today to discuss issues they want to see addressed in this Parliament’s first budget — with national pharmacare as their top priority. “We know that universal, public pharmacare will be less expensive and keep more people healthy and out of the hospital,” said Hassan Yussuff, President…