Bruske to PM: Work with premiers to fix Canada’s crumbling care system
August 10, 2022
As families face shuttered emergency rooms, governments must act now so people can get the care they need OTTAWA––As families in communities across the country face closures of emergency departments, hospitals, intensive care units and birthing centres, Canada’s unions are demanding quick action from Canada’s leaders to address this health care crisis. Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress,…
Canada’s unions welcome today’s B.C. court’s decision in Cambie case
July 15, 2022
Bruske: Now is the time to strengthen our public health care system OTTAWA –Canada’s unions are celebrating today’s decision from the BC Court of Appeal in the Cambie Surgeries Corporation (CSC) case. Protecting and strengthening our public health care system is critical, especially with the current crisis in health care across our country. Today’s decision by the court upholds the…
Canada’s unions welcome Premiers’ call for more federal health investment – but demand greater accountability
July 12, 2022
VICTORIA––Canada’s unions welcomed the Council of the Federation’s call for increased federal health transfers but Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, warned Canada’s premiers that new funding must take action to fix the health worker crisis and improve patient access and care. “Canada’s health care workers are looking at yet another summer without a break as terrible staffing…
Canada’s unions to engage Premiers at the Council of the Federation on strengthening public health care
July 7, 2022
OTTAWA––Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, will be available to talk about next week’s Council of the Federation meetings, which will be focused on health care. “Extreme staffing shortages and years of chronic underfunding are placing an unbearable strain on health workers and putting our public health care system at risk,” said Bruske. “Canada’s unions will be in…
Bruske: It’s time to get the profit out of care OTTAWA –– A new report shows billions of dollars in public funds for long-term care have been diverted from patient care into the pockets of shareholders. Canada’s unions call on the federal government to make long-term care part of Canada’s public health care system. “This report is brutal evidence of…
Canada’s unions celebrate end to discriminatory blood donation policy
April 28, 2022
Bruske: Long-awaited victory for 2SLGBTQI advocates OTTAWA –– After waiting three decades, Canada’s unions welcome today’s decision by the Canadian government to reverse its discriminatory blood donation policy, which had been in place since 1992. “This is a positive step in addressing ongoing systemic discrimination experienced by 2SLGBTQI people,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). …
Bruske: Canada’s unions urge the federal government to work with the premiers to protect our communities by giving every worker access to paid sick leave OTTAWA – On the eve of federal, provincial and territorial labour minister meetings, chaired by Minister Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s unions are urging Canada’s leaders to protect our communities from COVID-19 and other future viruses by…
Welcome progress in first 100 days – but much work to do in next 100 weeks
February 2, 2022
Bruske: Government and parliament must roll up their sleeves and get down to work OTTAWA––As we mark the first 100 days of this government tomorrow, Canada’s unions welcome progress made on a number of important issues. But with families reeling from rising prices and the pandemic still running through our communities, too many people are being left without help when…
Health investments must be tied to stronger public health care
February 1, 2022
Bruske: Increased health transfers must improve public health – not become tax giveaways to people who don’t need it OTTAWA––With our public health systems facing a crisis point, Canada’s unions are demanding that increases to federal health transfers must be tied to delivering better health care to Canadian families. “We see dire shortages of health workers across the country. Long-term…
By Bea Bruske I think almost everyone can agree 2021 was a rough year. The pandemic we hoped was ending now rolls on with new variants and new disruptions. But in 2021 we also saw some hopeful signs of what’s possible when people work together in common cause. Workers with newfound confidence demanding better. People seeking out jobs that offered…