Canada’s unions: urgent action needed to end Islamophobia, protect Muslim communities
January 29, 2023
On the second National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia, and the sixth anniversary of the horrific attack, Canada’s unions remember the victims and survivors, and continue to call for increased government action to address rising hate. “This day serves as an important reminder of the lethal impacts of Islamophobia and the need…
Federal government must increase efforts to end Islamophobia in Canada
January 28, 2022
On this first ever National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia, Canada’s unions are calling on the federal government to take increased action to confront Islamophobia and hate in Canada. January 29 marks the anniversary of a gruesome and deadly day in Canada’s history. On this day in 2017, worshippers at the Islamic…
Canada’s unions condemn hate-motivated terrorist attack against Canadian Muslim family; express concern over rising incidents of hate
June 8, 2021
Canada’s unions unequivocally condemn the recent escalation of hate crimes and violence against members of numerous racialized and religious minority communities across the country. The most recent and tragic hate-motivated attack occurred on Sunday in London, Ontario. A Muslim family out for an evening walk were plowed down by a lone driver which resulted in the murder of four family…
Canada’s unions welcome new terrorist listings for far-right white supremacist groups
February 3, 2021
OTTAWA – Canada’s unions welcome today’s announcement by the federal government that it has added four violent, far-right extremist groups to its list of terrorist organizations. The Proud Boys, the Base, Atomwaffen, and the Russian Imperial Movement have been listed as terrorist entities. This means that these groups can no longer raise money or organize. “These groups are a direct…
Labour and anti-hate activists must unite to confront white supremacy
January 28, 2021
By Hassan Yussuff and Bernie M. Farber, as published in Toronto Star January 27 2021 As civil society leaders, we have individually and together advanced workers’ rights and inclusive communities. Despite the passage of years, we find ourselves once again facing down a familiar threat: white supremacy and far-right extremism. In fact, we both happened to reconnect by phone on…
Canada’s unions call for National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia
January 28, 2021
Canada’s unions are calling on the federal government to designate January 29 as a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia, in memory of the victims of the deadly shooting at a Quebec City mosque four years ago. The attack claimed the lives of six worshippers and injured many more. “Canada’s unions stand in solidarity with Muslim communities across…
Canada’s Unions remember third anniversary of Quebec mosque attack
January 29, 2020
Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress issued the following statement: “Canada’s unions stand with the Muslim community today as we mark three years since the deadly attack on a Quebec City mosque. Our hearts are with the community of Quebec City’s Islamic Cultural Centre, and across Canada and to the friends and families of the six men killed…
Canada’s unions: federal government must fulfill anti-racism promises
December 10, 2019
Canada’s unions are marking this year’s International Human Rights Day by calling on the federal government to increase support for anti-racism initiatives now that Canadians have made it clear they will not support fear and division in their communities. During the federal election campaign, a few parties campaigned on anti-immigrant sentiment and against multiculturalism. Yet all the major political parties…
By now, you’ve probably seen old images of the Prime Minister in brownface and blackface resurface in the media. Not only are they shocking and disturbing, they are deeply hurtful to those of us who have faced racism and discrimination firsthand. It brings to the forefront the injustices committed against people of colour and Indigenous communities in this country for over 150…
Islamophobia at work requires immediate action, say Canada’s unions
March 21, 2019
Canada’s unions are proud to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with the release of a ground-breaking report on the impacts of Islamophobia in the workplace. Islamophobia at Work: Challenges and Opportunities explores the rise of anti-Muslim attitudes and discrimination in Canada. It provides recommendations for employers, trade unions, and government on how to address this…