Canada’s unions call for targeted support for persons with disabilities
June 1, 2020
The Canadian Labour Congress is calling on the federal government to increase financial supports and targeted employment strategies for persons with disabilities as a key aspect of Canada’s economic recovery plan. Persons with disabilities – especially those living at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities – face high unemployment rates and high levels of poverty and need additional support during…
By Hassan Yussuff as published in National Newswatch. We are in the midst of a global pandemic. The federal government is introducing new programs almost daily to support millions of Canadians who have been affected by this crisis. Public service employees are doing amazing work getting that support to the people who need it. Meanwhile, the calls for austerity are…
Canada’s Unions call for action against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia during COVID-19 crisis
May 17, 2020
On this International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), Canada’s unions are calling on the federal government to support 2SLGBTQI organizations struggling with the impacts of the current crisis. 2SLGBTQI peoples are more vulnerable to discrimination, violence, harassment and stigma on the basis of sexuality and gender identity right now. The lockdown makes it more difficult to find support…
Canada’s unions applaud expansion of income supports
April 15, 2020
OTTAWA – Canada’s unions welcome today’s federal announcement of an expansion of the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to include those who are still making moderate incomes. “The expansion of the CERB to include those continuing to work in low-income, precarious jobs is an important step,” said Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). “This move will be a…
Canada’s unions welcome quick passage of wage subsidy bill
April 11, 2020
OTTAWA – Canada’s unions welcome today’s quick passage of the federal government’s bill to legislate wage subsidies. With unanimous consent of all parties, Bill C-14: A second Act respecting certain measures in response to COVID-19 passed during a special sitting at the House of Commons. The bill will now pass the Senate and receive Royal Assent by the end of…
Canada’s unions say further efforts are required to support unemployed workers and to preserve existing jobs as the number of Canadians who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic continues to rise. According to Statistics Canada, employment fell by one million in March and the ranks of the unemployed grew by 413,000. Canada’s unemployment rate rose by 2.2 percentage…
Canada’s unions call on banks to reduce credit card interest rates for all
April 8, 2020
OTTAWA – Canada’s unions are calling on the country’s financial institutions to do more to mitigate the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic by further reducing credit card interest rates and applying new rates to anyone with a credit card. “This pandemic has led to major disruption in the lives of many Canadians and is taking a financial toll. Many…
Canada’s unions are calling on Canada’s banks and credit card companies to step up and take action to support families through the COVID-19 crisis by reducing sky-high credit card interest rates. “The Bank of Canada has reduced its lending rate to historically low levels and that means it’s cheaper for financial institutions to borrow money,” said Canadian Labour Congress President,…
Canada’s unions deliver clear priorities for federal airline relief package
March 28, 2020
OTTAWA – Today, Canada’s airline unions met with the Minister of Finance and Minister of Transportation to share the concerns of aviation industry workers and to provide solutions to ensure the sector’s viability. Chief among their priorities is to ensure that any federal financial aid package responds to the needs of workers still on the job as well as the…
Canada’s unions are calling for urgent fiscal measures to respond to COVID-19
March 16, 2020
Canada’s unions are calling on all levels of government to provide adequate supports for workers and their families as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic reverberate in communities and throughout the economy. “We continue to share our recommendations with the federal government as this situation progresses. While there has been an important move in easing measures around Employment Insurance (EI)…