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…
Canada’s unions call for mental health support for workers
May 4, 2020
Canada’s unions are marking Mental Health Week with a recognition of the considerable impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of workers and a call for governments and workplaces to provide access to support and take steps to prevent mental injuries at work. The impact of COVID-19 on workplaces, communities and families across Canada is unprecedented. Many workers have lost…
Canada’s unions renew call for National Action Plan on Violence Against Women and Girls
April 29, 2020
As the country mourns the loss of twenty-two lives in last week’s horrific mass shooting in Nova Scotia, Canada’s unions are once again calling for a National Action Plan on Violence Against Women and Girls. Although there is still much we do not know about this tragedy, now the deadliest massacre in Canadian history, it has come to light that…
Canada’s unions are marking National AccessAbility Week – May 26 to June 1 – by celebrating the historic passage of Bill C-81, An Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada, the first national accessibility legislation in Canada. Bill C-81 is expected to receive royal assent in the coming weeks. “Canada’s unions and workers with disabilities are gratified to see federal accessibility…
Canada’s unions have a role to play in promoting fairness, equality and freedom from violence for all workers, regardless of age, race, religion, ability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, or sexuality. As unions we can help to educate and empower our members so that all workplaces are welcoming and inclusive.
Canada’s unions seek to remove barriers to employment for workers with disabilities
December 3, 2018
Canada’s unions are marking December 3, the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, by calling on the government to do more to remove barriers in its accessibility legislation. Along with their allies in the disability rights movement, Canada’s unions recently welcomed the introduction of Bill C-81, the Accessible Canada Act. However, they would like to see more focused attention on the…
Employment top of mind on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 1, 2017
Canada’s unions are marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with calls for concrete action to promote economic security, employment and inclusion for persons with disabilities in Canada. The federal government announced this week that it was beginning consultations around signing the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The Optional…
October 7, 2017 will mark the 10th anniversary of the World Day for Decent Work, a day when unions around the world unite in action for decent work. What is “decent work”? Access for all workers to quality jobs, dignity, equality, and safe working conditions. Putting workers at the centre of development and giving them a voice in what they do.…
Ten years ago the United Nations adopted a resolution that established the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The Convention’s main message is that people with disabilities are entitled to full human rights and freedoms without discrimination. Unions were some of the earliest advocates for disability rights in the workplace, and embraced the CRPD for promoting the…
Canada Pension Plan Disability is failing many of the most vulnerable Canadians
February 6, 2016
This week, Canada’s Auditor General Michael Ferguson released a damning report on the state of the Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) program. Among his findings: More than one-half of Canadians who initially applied for CPPD benefits were denied. In the 2014-15 fiscal year, that meant 39,707 or 57 percent were denied. Canadians who wished to appeal their denial of benefits…