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Cision Canada
09-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
CANADA'S UNIONS WARN AGAINST AUSTERITY
Statement by , President of the Canadian Labour Congress OTTAWA, ON, July 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Prime Minister Carney's instruction to cabinet to identify deep operational savings is a dangerous step in the wrong direction, one that puts critical public services and the workers who deliver them on the chopping block. We've already seen nearly 10,000 federal jobs lost in the past year, with thousands of more workers in limbo. Now the government is considering cuts of up to 15% in some departments, risking the most significant downsizing of Canada's public service at a time when the Prime Minister is committing to significant new spending on defence and tax cuts for the rich. Public services can always be improved, and the workers who deliver those important services know how to make them better. However, across-the-board cuts will only harm the services Canadians rely on and the workers who provide them. Past rounds of austerity have undermined public services and increased government spending on costly external contractors. Canada's public service is one of the most efficient public service administrations in the world. Measured as a percentage of the population, the federal public service is smaller than it was in the 1980s, despite providing more services and serving a significantly older population. At a time when Canadian workers are bracing for the economic impact of Trump's reckless trade war, the federal government should lean in, not pull back. Trump's attacks will have real impacts in communities across Canada, especially in manufacturing, steel, aluminum, and supply chain jobs. These workers and their families will need more support, not less. Slashing public services in the middle of an economic downturn will only make things worse. Adding thousands more to the growing ranks of the unemployed will further weaken our economy. Canada's unions will not sit idly while workers and public services are put at risk. The intended cuts to government spending are the worst round of austerity we've seen since 1995, when Paul Martin's budget slashed transfers for health care, killed affordable housing programs, and gutted support systems Canadians depended on. If we're facing a housing crisis, healthcare strain and woefully inadequate EI today, we can trace those problems back to Paul Martin's austerity budget. We urge Prime Minister Carney and his cabinet to change course, protect public services, and ensure that workers and communities come first.
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Post-Singh soul searching: NDP launches summerlong ‘review and renewal' process
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is joined by NDP MP Don Davies, right, and Canadian Labour Congress's Siobhan Vipond, as he speaks at a news conference in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Ten weeks after a disastrous election outcome that saw the federal New Democrats lose most of their seats, the party is launching a 'review and renewal process' before triggering its next leadership race. The post-defeat soul searching is slated to last all summer long, with consultations stretching into the fall, aimed at reflecting on the 2025 campaign to 'help shape a path forward for the party to continue delivering real relief for Canadians.' Former NDP candidate and Ottawa lawyer Emilie Taman has been appointed to facilitate this process. 'Our party has both an opportunity and a responsibility to reflect on its work — to critically assess the 2025 election campaign so we can build on what was successful and better understand what wasn't, with the goal of coming back stronger and better for the next campaign,' Taman said in a statement. According to the party, Taman will orchestrate 'guided discussions' with riding associations and campaign teams, as well as 'listening sessions' with former candidates and the party's equity and executive bodies. There will also be a series of 'one-on-one meetings' with current and past MPs, stakeholders, and key campaign staff that inform this review. The party is inviting members to share their feedback by email, or through an online survey, before Sept. 19. That input will inform a written report the NDP promises to share with New Democrats before the end of 2025. 'This is a unique moment in our party's history,' Taman said. 'I look forward to hearing from everyone who cares deeply about the future of the NDP.' No timeline for new leader After repeatedly asserting national polling wasn't fully capturing the party's regional support, and downplaying concerns about an NDP collapse while on the campaign trail, Jagmeet Singh announced his resignation on election night. In the aftermath of Singh losing his seat and the NDP losing official party status, several top campaign officials, including national campaign lead Jennifer Howard, have stepped down. Interim leader Don Davies — one of seven NDP MPs re-elected to the House of Commons — has since focused his rebuilding efforts on reconnecting with working people. With this review now set to play out for months, the timing for a leadership race to name Singh's permanent successor remains up in the air. Last week, NDP spokesperson Nina Amrov said those rules will be made public once they're set but wouldn't commit to a timeline. 'We look forward to a dynamic race with an exchange of ideas between candidates and party members about the NDP's path forward,' she said in an email.
Cision Canada
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, on the G7 Summit
OTTAWA, ON, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ - From Kitimat to Selkirk, Sault Ste. Marie to Alma, and now Hamilton—workers across Canada are bracing for the next round of layoffs. Entire industries are being hollowed out. Families are living in a constant state of uncertainty, fearing the loss of their homes, their savings, and their livelihoods. In this moment of deep economic anxiety, Canadians deserve leadership that listens to working people and puts their priorities first. Instead, the federal government is choosing to host a G7 Summit that's out of step with the real struggles people are facing. Inviting Donald Trump—whose track record includes open hostility toward workers and unions—is a slap in the face to the thousands of Canadians still waiting to hear whether they'll have a job next week. At a time when our country is battling wildfires, rising inequality, and runaway housing costs, this move sends all the wrong signals. We are also deeply concerned by the invitation extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the face of ongoing concerns about foreign interference and political violence targeting diasporic communities in Canada, this decision is not only inappropriate, it's dangerous. Canada must send a clear message: political violence and foreign interference have no place on Canadian soil. While millions in taxpayer dollars are being spent on this summit, workers are being told to tighten their belts. But we can't build a just economy by cutting corners for communities while rolling out the red carpet for controversial world leaders. The Canadian Labour Congress calls on the federal government to redirect its focus toward the people who build this country, keep it running, and deserve a future they can count on. Now is the time to invest in good jobs, strong public services, and resilient communities—not empty pageantry.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Statement from Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, on the G7 Summit
OTTAWA, ON, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ - From Kitimat to Selkirk, Sault Ste. Marie to Alma, and now Hamilton—workers across Canada are bracing for the next round of layoffs. Entire industries are being hollowed out. Families are living in a constant state of uncertainty, fearing the loss of their homes, their savings, and their livelihoods. In this moment of deep economic anxiety, Canadians deserve leadership that listens to working people and puts their priorities first. Instead, the federal government is choosing to host a G7 Summit that's out of step with the real struggles people are facing. Inviting Donald Trump—whose track record includes open hostility toward workers and unions—is a slap in the face to the thousands of Canadians still waiting to hear whether they'll have a job next week. At a time when our country is battling wildfires, rising inequality, and runaway housing costs, this move sends all the wrong signals. We are also deeply concerned by the invitation extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the face of ongoing concerns about foreign interference and political violence targeting diasporic communities in Canada, this decision is not only inappropriate, it's dangerous. Canada must send a clear message: political violence and foreign interference have no place on Canadian soil. While millions in taxpayer dollars are being spent on this summit, workers are being told to tighten their belts. But we can't build a just economy by cutting corners for communities while rolling out the red carpet for controversial world leaders. The Canadian Labour Congress calls on the federal government to redirect its focus toward the people who build this country, keep it running, and deserve a future they can count on. Now is the time to invest in good jobs, strong public services, and resilient communities—not empty pageantry. SOURCE Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
Globe and Mail
05-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Carney faces pressure to retaliate against Trump's steel, aluminum tariffs
Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing increasing pressure from premiers, industry, labour and business organizations to retaliate against U.S. President Donald Trump's doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs. But even as he called the tariffs 'unlawful, unjustified and illogical,' Mr. Carney said Canada will take its time responding, citing broader talks with the U.S. that he said are progressing. Mr. Trump initially imposed tariffs of 25 per cent on the metals in March but doubled them to 50 per cent as of Wednesday. The tariffs apply to all foreign suppliers, but they will disproportionately hit Canada, which is the largest supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S. Ottawa imposed retaliatory tariffs in March, but Mr. Carney lifted many of those in April over concerns that they would drive up prices for Canadian consumers. Mr. Carney, who won the spring election on a campaign to fight against U.S. tariffs, including through retaliation, said Canada wouldn't hit back against the increased tariffs just yet. 'We are in intensive negotiations with the Americans and in parallel, preparing reprisals if those negotiations do not succeed,' Mr. Carney said during Question Period on Wednesday. Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged immediate retaliation. He told reporters he had spoken with Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who is leading the U.S.-Canada file, to make the case. The Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities joined together to demand government action. The three groups rarely share a stage, but did so Wednesday to make a point, said Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress. 'This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. We need to defend our jobs. We need to invest in our industries, and we need to protect our communities that built this country, labour, business, municipalities and government.' She urged reprisal, but said she also wants the government to take other steps, including reforms to employment insurance to assist affected workers and legislated commitments to use Canadian steel in national projects. Industry, billionaire tycoon Barry Zekelman urge government action on steel dumping Ms. Bruske said there are 23,000 steel industry jobs in the country that could be affected 'within the next couple of days,' plus 9,500 aluminum jobs, and then all the spin-off jobs created by both industries. The Prime Minister's hesitation on retaliation is a contrast with the approach of then-prime minister Justin Trudeau, who immediately imposed tariffs on the U.S., both earlier this year and in 2018, during Mr. Trump's previous trade war with Canada. In March, Mr. Ford also moved quickly to levy a 25-per-cent surcharge on electricity that Ontario sends to 1.5 million homes in three U.S. states. He cancelled the measure within a day after Mr. Trump threatened to double steel and aluminum tariffs in response. But Mr. Ford said his understanding is that a Canada-U.S. deal is close, and so for now he is not reinstating the surcharge. Mr. Carney is pushing for a deal between the two countries covering both trade and national security, including the border and defence. The CEO of Algoma Steel Group Inc., Michael Garcia, said Ottawa should immediately bring in tariffs on imports of foreign steel to address dumping in Canada from places such as Turkey, Vietnam and the Middle East. Mr. Garcia said that unless the price of steel skyrockets, the company's U.S. business isn't viable anymore. 'I am advocating for Section 53 tariffs not as a retaliatory measure against the U.S., but as a prudent move to protect a vital strategic industry,' he said in an interview. Under Canada's Customs Tariff law, Section 53 tariffs can be imposed by Ottawa in cases in which unfair trade practices are occurring that are harming domestic trade. An estimate by Oxford Economics, a consultancy firm, found that more than half of U.S. steel imported into Canada is currently exempt from tariffs. The Aluminium Association of Canada said the tariff increase would destroy demand across the continent, no matter whether the metal is made in Canada or the U.S., and disrupt key sectors, including defence, construction and automotive. Steel prices in the U.S. have already risen by 16 per cent since Mr. Trump took office in January, and his higher tariffs risk causing inflation for American consumers by making products built with steel more expensive. At a committee hearing on Wednesday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that the administration's goal is not to get other countries to simply lower trade barriers but to ensure that those countries stop exporting certain products to the U.S., a position that would appear to complicate Mr. Carney's efforts to land a deal that includes removing U.S. tariffs. Mr. Lutnick said under questioning from Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, that he did not know the name of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the legislation under which the U.S. has imposed steel, aluminum and auto tariffs. He also said he was not familiar with a principle called the 'major questions doctrine,' which was central to a legal decision overturning a different series of Mr. Trump's tariffs. Mr. Lutnick is the member of the President's cabinet with top authority on trade policy. Mr. Kennedy's grilling of Mr. Lutnick could indicate a fracture in Republican support for Mr. Trump's agenda. While the party traditionally supported free trade, it has largely fallen in line behind the President's protectionism since he returned to office. Meanwhile, in Ottawa, the opposition Conservatives and the New Democrats all castigated Mr. Carney Wednesday for campaigning in the recent election on having a plan to push back against Mr. Trump, but still not having a deal to end the tariff dispute. Mining giants Alcoa, Rio Tinto and Aluminerie Alouette operate nine plants in Canada, eight of them in Quebec. This amps up the political pressure on the minority Liberal government from the Bloc Québécois. At a White House meeting last month, Mr. Trump said there was nothing Mr. Carney could say that would make him change his mind on tariffs, but the Prime Minister has remained insistent that such a deal would include the U.S. lifting its levies on Canada. With reports from Niall McGee and Nicolas Van Praet
