Bruske: How Canada can create sustainable jobs as we shift to a low-carbon future
June 19, 2023
By Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress as published in the Ottawa Citizen Bill C-50, just tabled, provides a roadmap toward making Canada’s economy competitive for years to come. “On a global scale, clean energy investment has surpassed spending on oil and gas for the first time.” From raging wildfires to extreme storms, each day brings stark reminders…
Earth Day 2023: Canada’s unions call on governments to put workers and communities first
April 21, 2023
This year’s Earth Day theme, Invest in Our Planet, is a timely reminder of the need for our elected leaders to take ambitious and necessary action to tackle the climate emergency. Canada’s unions are calling on the government to move towards a net-zero carbon economy with workers and communities at its core. As communities across the country and around the…
Workers are sounding the alarm—parliamentarians must take heed
February 1, 2023
By Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress as published in The Hill Times Ask any worker in Canada how they are faring right now, and they will most likely tell you that they are struggling. The issues facing workers and their families are stacking up. Eye-watering costs for food, housing, and other necessities are hammering workers’ wallets. Inflation…
Canada’s unions on COP27: Some wins, but we have our work cut out for us
November 21, 2022
The COP27 negotiations in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, delivered some important wins but highlighted that, more than ever, the world needs a Just Transition. Canada’s unions are pleased that the Sharm El-Sheikh Implementation Plan emphasizes the need for a Just Transition to centre social dialogue and include social protection. This is a significant step forward that recognizes the importance of engaging…
Labour 20 recommendations to G20 Labour and Employment Ministers
September 14, 2022
In advance of a meeting of the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers held in Bali, Indonesia on September 14, 2022, the Labour 20, or L20, laid out a series of recommendations to Ministers. The L20 represents trade unions from G20 countries and global unions. The group called on Ministers to lay the foundation of a new social contract and take…
Bruske to German Chancellor and the G7: Turn from ambition to action on climate and just transition
May 11, 2022
Bruske: We must not trade good jobs for low-quality, precarious work as we accelerate progress on tackling the climate crisis BERLIN – Today in Germany, Bea Bruske delivered a strong message from international labour leaders to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, President of the G7. “When it comes to building a plan to decarbonize every sector of our economies, it is…
Parliament must work with urgency on helping families
January 27, 2022
Bea Bruske: With care systems at a crisis point, runaway costs and a broken social safety net, MPs must get to work on solutions that help families now OTTAWA – While the pandemic rolls on with new disruptions, Canada’s unions are urging Members of Parliament to get down to work on helping struggling families when the House of Commons resumes sitting…
More needed to help Canadians amid devastating Omicron wave Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, is available to speak to media today about the federal government’s Lockdown Benefit and the effect restrictions and business closures are having on workers and their families. In advance of the government’s announcement on December 22, 2021, Bruske said: “Canada’s unions are profoundly…
Canada’s unions welcome federal government commitments on climate change
December 11, 2020
OTTAWA – Coming on the heels of the government’s climate accountability legislation, today’s 2030 climate emissions reduction plan contains significant announcements for working people. Expanded investments in energy efficiency, conservation and large-scale retrofitting of residential and commercial structures will create significant numbers of new jobs and require expanded investments in skills training and growing Canada’s construction trades. Green and climate-resilient…
Federal government’s new bill on climate change an important step on the hard road ahead
November 20, 2020
Canada’s unions are welcoming the tabling of new federal legislation that puts the country on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. However, there is much work to do to get there, said Hassan Yussuff, president of the Canadian Labour Congress. “This bill provides a solid path towards reaching Canada’s targets. That being said, it will take…