Statement by Bea Bruske: We must work to avoid a recession that would put many working families at risk
September 23, 2022
Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, released the following statement after meeting between the Bank of Canada Governor and a delegation of representatives of the labour movement: “Canada’s unions were pleased to have the opportunity to meet with the Governor and Deputy Governors from the Bank of Canada and brief them on the realities facing workers and their…
To achieve gender equality, Canada’s decision makers must prioritize investments in care
September 22, 2022
Canada’s unions are marking Gender Equality Week by calling on the federal government to reduce and redistribute women’s unpaid care work and help fix Canada’s broken care systems. “Investments in care are essential if we’re going to reduce and redistribute women’s unpaid work and pave the way for women to take on paid work, or to access education or training,”…
Equal pay for work of equal value: it’s long past the time for employers and governments to get it right on pay equity
September 18, 2022
Canada’s unions are calling on governments around the world, at all levels, to take urgent action on pay equity. This includes addressing pay disparities in jobs dominated by women, like the care sector, and lessening the burden of unpaid care that is disproportionately shouldered by women around the world. “The global care economy is in crisis. Here in Canada, underfunding,…
Labour 20 recommendations to G20 Labour and Employment Ministers
September 14, 2022
In advance of a meeting of the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers held in Bali, Indonesia on September 14, 2022, the Labour 20, or L20, laid out a series of recommendations to Ministers. The L20 represents trade unions from G20 countries and global unions. The group called on Ministers to lay the foundation of a new social contract and take…
Bruske: Liberal and New Democrat cooperation will help families weather this affordability crisis OTTAWA –– Canada’s unions welcomed new relief announced today to help families struggling with rising prices and congratulated the government for bringing forward measures to make life more affordable for everyday Canadians. “Moving forward on rental and dental relief is essential and will help to ease the…
Poilievre and the Conservatives can’t be trusted to stand up for workers
September 10, 2022
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…
Rising interest rates mean families suffer another hit in the pocketbook
September 7, 2022
Bruske: With Parliament set to return, decision makers must put Main Street, not Bay Street, first OTTAWA –– Today’s latest rate hike on top of the ongoing inflation crisis means more struggling families are facing an ever‑tightening financial squeeze. Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, said with the House of Commons returning in less than two weeks, it…
A path to the middle class for millions of workers
September 6, 2022
By Bea Bruske, as published in The Province If you appreciate having weekends, a forty-hour work week, pensions, compensation for workplace injuries, maternity leave or even collective bargaining at all, thank a union organizer. The reality is, without the contributions of the labour movement, Canadian workers wouldn’t have these or so many other protections. But these gains were not accomplished…
Unions pave path to the middle class for millions of Canadians
September 5, 2022
Bruske: Growing momentum for workers to demand better OTTAWA–Canada’s unions are marking Labour Day by celebrating the hard-fought gains of the labour movement and bringing workers, their families and allies together in solidarity, united in their commitment to the important work ahead. “The collective power of workers and our long fight for fairness has delivered the forty-hour work week, pensions,…
Labour Day: Worker power is key to a stronger middle class
August 31, 2022
(TORONTO) Canada’s unions are encouraging workers to reclaim their power and stand up to employers and governments, as the country struggles to recover from the economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The pandemic and its devastating effects aren’t behind us yet, but workers in Canada have an opportunity to help shape the future we want,” said Bea Bruske, President…