Abject failure: Canada’s would-be human rights watchdog leaves Bangladeshi garment workers languishing in poverty
March 12, 2025
In many Bangladeshi garment factories, the women and men who make clothes for export around the globe endure gruelling schedules—six days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day. But no matter how long and hard they work, their wages are so low, these workers cannot escape poverty. The appalling working and living standards faced by Bangladeshi garment workers compelled…
Canada’s unions to Carney: Protect workers from job losses and uncertainty
March 11, 2025
OTTAWA, ON – The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is demanding immediate and decisive action from the federal government to protect workers and defend jobs as an escalating trade war—fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump—threatens Canada’s economy. Just today, Trump announced yet another round of retaliatory tariffs on steel and aluminum, this time in response to Ontario’s energy surcharge. “This is…
Labour 7 statement to the G7: Putting social justice at the heart of international cooperation
March 11, 2025
The G7 meets in 2025 in a time of profound geopolitical shifts and tensions. While the world stands divided in the face of existential threats and global challenges, the G7 has a responsibility to reaffirm the fundamental principles underpinning the rules-based international order: respect for human rights and the rule of law, international cooperation, peace and democracy. Armed conflicts are…
International Women’s Day 2025 – Workers are bringing gender justice to the ballot box
March 8, 2025
Across Canada, women and gender diverse workers are fed up with bearing the brunt of a broken economy, crumbling public infrastructure systems and precarious, low wage employment. With a federal election on the horizon, Canada’s unions are taking a stand to Rise Up for gender justice from candidate townhalls, campaign events, and lobbying sessions, all the way to the ballot…
Canada’s Unions welcome extended child care funding
March 6, 2025
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) welcomed today’s announcement that the $10 a day Child Care Plan funding will be extended to 2031 in eleven provinces and territories. “We are pleased to see that the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care funding agreements will continue until 2031 in almost every province and territory,” said Bea Bruske, CLC President. “Sustainable federal…
Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, on Trump’s tariff attack on Canada
March 4, 2025
Today, we face an unprecedented economic attack on Canada and Canadian workers. Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs are an assault on our jobs, our livelihoods, and our communities. This is nothing short of an attempt to weaken our country, break our will, and force us to bow to his agenda. But let me be clear: Canada does not back down. …
Canada’s unions holding third emergency meeting in response to U.S. tariffs
February 26, 2025
OTTAWA, ON – The Canadian Council, led by the Canadian Labour Congress is holding its third emergency meeting tonight to address the incoming U.S. tariffs set to take effect on March 4, and to discuss a plan to protect workers and communities from the economic fallout. Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Bea Bruske will be available for media interviews following…
CLC President Bea Bruske available after U.S. – Canada trade talks in Washington, D.C.
February 12, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C.—A delegation of American and Canadian labour leaders will meet with Canadian Premiers in Washington, D.C., today at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the damage the U.S. tariffs will have on workers and industries on both sides of the border. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Bea Bruske will be available to speak to the media before and after this…
Another Attack on Canadian Workers: Trump’s 25% Tariffs on Canadian Steel and Aluminum
February 10, 2025
OTTAWA – Today, Donald Trump has once again launched an economic attack on Canadian workers, slapping a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports. These reckless tariffs threaten tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and destabilize industries that are the backbone of Canada’s economy. Steel and aluminum are critical to Canada’s industrial base, supplying essential inputs to the automotive, energy,…