In Canada and around the world, 2SLGBTQI people are facing a rising tide of hatred, discrimination and violence. Canada’s unions are marking the 2022 Pride season by standing in solidarity with 2SLGBTQI communities and against these growing attacks on human rights related to sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and sex characteristics. Canada’s unions are calling on the federal government to…
Over the next few months, Canada’s unions will join others in communities across Canada to celebrate Pride and support LGBTQ2SI equality and justice. Show your support at an event near you. This is an evolving list. Please check event websites for full details. Note: event information is not always available in both official languages. Do you have an event to add…
IDAHOTB: Canada’s unions call for an end to violence and harassment
May 17, 2022
Canada’s unions are marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) by calling for meaningful action to end violence and harassment against 2SLGBTQI people in Canada. “Across the globe, we are seeing unprecedented attacks on the rights of 2SLGBTQI people,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “In 2022 alone, we’ve witnessed the introduction of…
Bruske: As wages lag far behind inflation, Conservative leadership candidates ignore struggling workers. OTTAWA – Canada’s unions are shining a spotlight on how the Conservative Party is missing in action when it comes to standing up for workers who are seeing their buying power shrink as their wages rise at half the rate of inflation. “Workers are worried about how…
Asian Heritage Month: Canada must do more to eliminate anti-Asian racism
April 30, 2022
As Canada prepares to mark Asian Heritage Month in May, anti-Asian racism and xenophobia have continued to rise consistently across the country over the past two years. A national report released by the Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter and Project 1907 shows that anti-Asian racism and xenophobia have continued to rise consistently across Canada two years into the pandemic.…
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). …
Statement of the CLC and provincial and territorial federations of labour in response to the Ontario Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee Report
December 20, 2021
The Canadian Labour Congress and Canada’s provincial and territorial federations of labour unanimously reject the recommendations of the report of the Ontario’s Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee (OWRAC) that would enshrine second-class status for gig workers. We believe every worker deserves the same high standard of protection under the law. Employers have long used excuses to misclassify their employees as independent…
Human Rights Day: Canada must ratify C-189 to protect vulnerable domestic workers
December 10, 2021
Canada’s unions are marking International Human Rights Day by renewing their call on the federal government to ratify ILO Convention 189 (C-189). This important convention recognizes and protects the rights of domestic workers. “This year marks ten years since the adoption of C-189, an historic convention which confirms the labour rights of domestic workers. And yet, a decade on, domestic…
Sheryl Burns awarded the 2021 Carol McGregor CLC Disability Rights Award
December 2, 2021
December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which aims to promote awareness and mobilize support for disability rights issues. On this day, the Canadian Labour Congress recognizes a union member with an award for their disability rights activism. The award is named in honour of Carol McGregor, an outstanding disability rights activist, member of BCGEU/NUPGE and the…
Canada’s unions urge federal government to end conversion therapy
November 19, 2021
Canada’s unions are marking November 20 – the Transgender Day of Remembrance – by renewing their call for a national ban on conversion therapy. Legislation seeking to prohibit conversion practices, Bill C-6, was halted in the Canadian Senate in June 2021, and died when the 2021 election was called. The Transgender Day of Remembrance celebrates and honours trans, non-binary and…