Statement by Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress
October 22, 2025
OTTAWA –– Canada’s unions are gathering this week at our Canadian Council to strategize at a time when the escalating trade war is having a devastating impact on Canadian workers and communities. Across the country, people are losing jobs and struggling to make ends meet. “The reality facing workers right now is grim,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian…
Progress on trade in Canada must reflect a commitment to Indigenous rights
September 30, 2025
Canada’s unions are marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by calling on government to fulfill its obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIP). Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act, passed in June 2025, provides an opportunity to facilitate…
Canada’s Unions call on the Canadian government to fight to stop the annexation of Palestinian lands
June 2, 2020
The Canadian Labour Congress condemns the recent unilateral move by Israel to annex parts of Palestinian territory. This move dismantles decades of work towards a just and negotiated settlement between Israel and Palestine. 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…
Today, on the Global Day of Action for the Amazon, Canadian labour calls on the Government of Canada to safeguard protections for the Amazon rainforest in its trade agreement with Brazil and the Mercosur countries. In its ongoing negotiations on the Mercosur trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, Canada must ensure the agreement contains enforceable provisions that uphold…
Ending tariffs means Canadians can get back to work
May 17, 2019
Canada’s unions welcome today’s announcement lifting U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. “The cancellation of steel and aluminum tariffs is good news for workers,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff. “Canada’s unions welcome this decision to restore stability and predictability to our economy and to workers’ lives. For almost a year, these tariffs have had a damaging impact on an…
International trade is a vital part of the Canadian economy. International trade agreements must promote economic equality, encourage the creation of good jobs, support the interests of working people, and ensure ecological sustainability.
Along with key gains in the USMCA, Canada’s unions raise concern
October 1, 2018
Canada’s unions say the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) represents some points of progress, but are raising concern over protections for some Canadian workers. “Workers across the country will be happy to learn that NAFTA’s Chapter 11 has finally been eliminated from this trade agreement,” said Canadian Labour Congress President, Hassan Yussuff. “Decades of unfairness have cost Canada over $300…
CLC – ETUC joint statement on the trade and sustainable development chapter in CETA
September 11, 2018
Trade unions in the EU and Canada are united in our call for progressive trade deals that promote decent jobs, protect and enhance labour rights, protect public services and lead to fair distribution of wealth. We worked together throughout negotiations on CETA to call for the deal to respect these objectives. CETA has been provisionally applied since September 2017. Both…
Canada’s unions support Canadian retaliation against American steel and aluminum tariffs
June 1, 2018
Canada’s unions today applauded the Canadian Government’s retaliation against the unjustified and unwarranted American tariffs on steel and aluminum. “I am pleased to see Canada respond so quickly and decisively to defend Canadian workers and industry against President Trump’s bullying tactics. Canada cannot waver in its defence of balanced trade,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff. Today, Canada announced plans to…