Statement on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks
October 7, 2024
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) condemns those attacks and mourns the horrible loss of life on that day and over the past year in Gaza and now in Lebanon. We are gravely concerned by the continued escalation of hostilities and the expansion of this horrific war in the…
True reconciliation requires meaningful action, not just symbolic gestures
September 30, 2024
On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Canada’s unions continue to urge the federal government to take concrete, meaningful action toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, going beyond symbolic gestures. Today, we remember all the Indigenous children taken from their families and communities and sent to residential schools. We honour the lives of those who never returned home, and those…
Global union leaders affirm support for Palestinian trade unions and the Palestinian people
June 11, 2024
This week the leaders of seven Global Union Federations (GUFs) and the International Trade Union Confederation travelled to Ramallah to convey their solidarity to unions in the West Bank and Gaza. These organizations represent almost every sector of the global economy and have members in more than 150 countries representing over 200 million workers. Working with Palestinian affiliates and others,…
Pride 2024: No one left behind: Equality, freedom, and justice for all
June 1, 2024
For Pride 2024, Canada’s unions stand firm under the banner of “No One Left Behind: Equality, Freedom, and Justice for All.” In solidarity with our 2SLGBTQI+ siblings, we affirm our commitment to safeguarding the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ people and refusing any attempts to turn back the progress we’ve fought tirelessly to achieve. 2SLGBTQI+ workers are integral members of Canada’s labour…
Canada must address systemic racism and discrimination in the workforce
March 21, 2024
As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, Canada’s unions call on the federal government to take immediate, concrete action to address racism within our workforce. This starts with updating the Employment Equity Act by implementing the Employment Equity Task Force’s recommended reforms. The Employment Equity Act represents a critical tool in our…
Pink Shirt Day: 2SLGBTQI+ kids should be free to be themselves
February 28, 2024
Canada’s unions are marking Pink Shirt Day 2024 by calling on all governments to support the freedom of trans and queer children and youth to be their authentic selves. “We care about the well-being of children. We also know that it is tough for kids to feel different from others growing up, and how important it is to feel safe…
Statement by Bea Bruske: Canada’s unions are calling out Alberta Premier’s attempt to use trans and gender-diverse children, youth and adults to score political points
February 1, 2024
OTTAWA––Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, released the following statement:
CLC Executive Committee reiterates its support for ITUC’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
January 16, 2024
At its meeting in Ottawa last week, the executive committee of the Canadian Labour Congress received an update on the CLC’s support of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as adopted by the General Council of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in December. The ITUC is the largest trade union federation in the world. The executive voted unanimously to endorse…
Canada’s unions: confronting hate is a shared responsibility
December 10, 2023
This International Human Rights Day, Canada’s unions are calling on governments and individuals to collectively confront rising hate. Canada is facing a crisis: Statistics Canada data released earlier this year showed a record jump in hate crimes against 2SLGBTQI+, Muslim, and Jewish communities in 2021. This number continues to increase. This includes an alarming rise in incidences of hate and…
Angelo Tocco – Winner of the 2023 Carol McGregor CLC Disability Rights Award
December 3, 2023
December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities—which aims to promote awareness and mobilize support for disability rights issues. Today, the CLC recognizes a union member for their disability rights activism. This year, on the twelfth anniversary of the award, the Canadian Labour Congress is pleased to announce OECTA member Angelo Tocco as the 2023 winner of the…