Issue 52 – 25, May 25, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s plans
He gave a single letter (mandate letter) to all his ministers to show what everyone should focus on.
Make Canada’s economy the best in the G7 group of countries.
Help families pay less for things they need.
Keep communities safe.
Work with the United States on economic and security issues.
Build new partnerships with reliable countries around the world.
Some Ministers already have different messages about pipelines and housing, which causes confusion.
Each Minister will decide what their department should do to reach these goals.
New committees were created to focus on strengthening Canada’s economy, saving money, managing government operations, improving people’s quality of life, and protecting Canada’s independence.
The Prime Minister wants these cabinet committees to track progress and work together.
It all starts next week, Tuesday, a Speech from the Throne opening this Parliament, with King Charles III’s.
Read more - Mandate Letter | Prime Minister of Canada
The Billionaire Coup
Trade unions worldwide, including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), warn of a “billionaire coup” corporate elites, and far-right political forces working together to dismantle workers’ rights, erode social protections, and concentrate power in the hands of a small elite. This coalition exploits economic despair caused by austerity, promotes deregulation, and undermines democratic institutions to entrench their control.
The global landscape is increasingly shaped by the influence of billionaires and wealthy elites who seek to threaten the social protections we fought hard to establish. As retired union members, we have dedicated your lives to building a fairer, more equitable society through your labour and activism. Today, in 2025, the challenges we face are more critical than ever.
Recent data reveals that the combined wealth of the world’s 500 richest individuals reached a staggering $10 trillion in 2024. A small number of tech billionaires—Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg—have seen their fortunes surge dramatically, influencing not only markets but also shaping political agendas. Their wealth allows them to fund political campaigns, lobby governments, and sway policy decisions, often at the expense of the public interest.
Billionaires own major media outlets and social media platforms, which they use to influence public opinion and shape societal narratives. This concentration of media power can distort information, suppress dissent, and undermine democratic debate—threatening the very foundations of democracy that our unions have fought to uphold.
CURC 15th Constitutional Convention
The Fifteenth Convention of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada will take place at the Pan Pacific Toronto, 900 York Mills Rd, Toronto, the convention will be held June 17th, to June 19, 2025.
The Convention offers opportunities for networking, learning about new initiatives, and advocating collectively for policies that protect and enhance the union retiree’s quality of life.
Registration to be a delegate to the convention remains open until June 13, 2025. Be a delegate, participate in building the union retirement movement forward. For more information about the convention please email curc@clcctc.ca .