Issue 45 – 25, April 6, 2025
GAROP achieves Historic Decision on the Human Rights of Older Persons
The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada are proud to stand in solidarity with the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) as we celebrate the historic decision made by UN Member States to initiate the drafting of an international convention focused on the human rights of older persons. This monumental step, facilitated by advocacy from older persons and civil society organizations worldwide, marks a transformative achievement that our collective efforts have long worked toward.
The formation of an intergovernmental working group to draft a legally binding instrument is a testament to the need for a more robust and unified approach to addressing the rights and dignity of older individuals. The initiative aims to bridge existing gaps within the international human rights framework and reinforces our commitment to combat ageism and discrimination against older persons. We believe that this new convention will provide vital guidance to governments, helping them better promote and protect the rights of older individuals both globally and at home.
CURC's collaboration with GAROP focused on advocating for comprehensive international frameworks that protect the rights of older persons. By using its relationship and extensive experience in labor rights, CURC aided in raising awareness about the unique challenges faced by the aging population, particularly through the Canadian Labour Congress and its affiliates. This advocacy emphasized the need for governments and organizations to prioritize the perspectives and needs of an aging population to ensure their inclusion and participation in decision-making processes.
GAROP’s commitment to an inclusive and transparent drafting process, will ensure our participation engagement with the newly formed working group and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The foundational work of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada in a time when the aging population is growing rapidly, is the commitment to partnership and advocacy ensuring that the rights of union retirees and seniors remain at the forefront of social and political discourse. We will continue our advocacy during this election and after a new government is formed in securing the support of the Canadian Government for this UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.
Read more - Historic decision: Governments decide to start drafting an international convention – The Global Alliance
Read more - UN HR Resolution
Pharmacare is a ballot box issue.
Congress of Union Retirees of Canada has been advocating for a universal, comprehensive, single-payer national Pharmacare program.
On October 10, 2024, our hopes came to fruition with Bill C-68 receiving Royal Assent to become the law of the land that is now in force. Although members are very pleased with this development, CURC believes that this is the first phase of the program, and we are advocating for a full universal, comprehensive, single-payer national Pharmacare program.
Canada's NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said, “We know Canadians are struggling with the cost of drugs because they're getting gouged by big drug companies. Trump’s trade war is making it worse. Every New Democrat elected will fight every day to protect our health care and make sure no one must skip the medicine they need – just like we did in the last parliament when we forced the Liberals to take the first steps toward universal Pharmacare and when we delivered dental care for millions of Canadians.”
Liberal Leader Mark Carney's comments to date, stating that he would not expand Pharmacare, making it clear that he is siding with Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives instead of standing with Canadians. The Liberals and Conservatives are siding with corporations and Big Pharma helping them to profiteer, while union retirees, workers and their families pay the price.
The Canadian Labour Congress is calling for the expansion of universal, single-payer public Pharmacare to immediately cover 50% of the most prescribed drugs with full implementation by 2027. On April 28th, union retirees will be encouraged to vote in their self interest for Universal Pharmacare and with the only party fighting for the expansion, and not with those other two parties standing with wealthy corporations and Big Pharma.
Read more - Canada's unions call for immediate expansion of universal Pharmacare
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 will chart the course forward for the union retiree movement. Jim Stanford will be a key presenter, Economist and Director of the Centre for Future Work, based in Vancouver, Canada. Jim is one of Canada’s best-known economic commentators.
Check out Jim's recent video, Not So Global After All
The convention will also focus with expert panels on Health Care and Affordability. Be a delegate, participate in building the union retirement movement forward.
For more information about the convention please email curc@clcctc.ca .