Issue 102 – 26, May 17, 2026
Canadian Labour Congress Convention
Many CURC members were delegates at the CLC Convention this past week, others were observers, we were speakers to the action program and the resolutions. We were in the house and on the streets, we talked in the hallways and at our CLC Expo Booth to many delegates. Union Retirees have left the job, but not the fight.
The action programs passed this week are about making sure everyone has a fair chance, whether it’s voting, working, building, or caring for each other. When we work together, we can create a future that is strong, fair, and equal for all. That’s why it’s so important to keep educating and fighting for these causes.
Our country is changing, and there are many important things we need to do to make sure everyone has a fair and good life. The action programs focus on democracy, building the future, dignity for workers, justice, and caring for each other. Here’s why these action programs matter and what work we must do.
Democracy is when everyone has a say in how our country is run. It’s about voting, sharing opinions, and making decisions together. Unions, helping workers, play a big role in fighting for our democratic rights. Unions make sure workers have a voice at work and in politics. Right now, some groups want to take away our rights and spread hate. That’s dangerous because it threatens our freedom and fairness. We need to stand up for good jobs, fair taxes, and social justice. Supporting fair voting systems and protecting free speech helps keep democracy strong. The union also encourages everyone to vote and learn about politics so they can make informed choices. This helps protect their rights and makes sure their voices are heard.
Canada is growing and changing fast. We need to build better roads, houses, and energy sources to face future challenges. The plan includes creating good jobs, supporting green energy like wind and solar, and making sure communities, especially in remote areas, get the help they need. Investing in schools and training makes sure workers are ready for new green jobs. Building the future is about making Canada stronger, cleaner, and fairer for everyone. The government needs to invest money in building new public transit systems like buses and trains. This helps people get to work easily and reduces pollution because more people will use cleaner transportation like electric buses and trains.
Everyone who works deserves respect, fair pay, and good conditions. Many workers work hard but still struggle to pay for basic needs like housing and food. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) fights for fair wages, fair taxes, and better housing. We also need strong public services, healthcare and education. Supporting workers when they are sick or lose their jobs is very important, EI must be strengthened. When we fight for dignity, we help make life better for all workers. When many workers have unions, it helps fund better schools, parks, and public services through taxes.
People from different backgrounds, like Indigenous peoples, women, and racialized communities, face unfair treatment. Unions are working to fight discrimination and support justice for everyone. We need to respect Indigenous rights, stop violence, and ensure equal opportunities at work. Standing together helps create a society that values fairness and respect for all.
Care workers like nurses, teachers, and caregivers do very important jobs. But their work is often undervalued and underpaid. We need to invest in care services, make sure care workers have good wages and safe conditions, and recognize that caring for others is valuable work. Everyone should have access to health care, childcare, and support when needed. A caregiver looks after elderly people but is paid very low. The government and unions work to give care workers better wages and safe conditions so they can do their jobs well.
Strong unions help workers get better jobs, fair pay, and safe workplaces. When workers unite, they support their communities and make society fairer. We need laws that protect workers’ rights, especially with new technology like AI. We also want fair treatment for gig workers and migrant workers. Supporting unions and worker rights makes everyone’s life better. The words heard this week “when we fight together, we win.” Solidarity, “WE LEFT THE JOB, NOT THE FIGHT”
CLC Action Program – Convention Action Plans (EN, PDF).pdf
Union Retirees Need to Know of the Caregiving Crisis
Family caregivers and care providers are the backbone of Canada’s health and social care systems, help keep our families and communities healthy. But many of them don’t get the support they need to do their jobs well. This causes serious problems for individuals and for our country’s economy.
A new report from the Canadian Caregiver Coalition (CCCE) surveyed over 2,600 caregivers across Canada in summer 2025. The results show that caregivers are facing many challenges, and these issues have not improved since the survey. In fact, more caregivers now find it harder to access the services they need.
Most caregivers (about 77%) say that caregiving negatively affects their well-being. This means they often feel tired, stressed, or anxious. Many also experience financial problems, around 49% have financial hardships because of their caregiving duties. Some caregivers must stop saving money or earn less because they are caring for a loved one.
Many caregivers are working full-time jobs but also providing care. Over half of them (59%) work while caring for someone, and they spend more than 5 hours each day on caregiving tasks. This can make it hard to balance work and family life. Some must work more hours, delay retirement, or get a second job. But caregiving can hurt their productivity at work, and many feel they cannot participate fully in the economy.
The report suggests that caregivers need better support from the government. Right now, many are unaware of programs or tax credits that could help them. Only about 13% have used these supports, even though they could make a difference.
Giving caregivers financial help when they need it, such as making tax credits easier to access or providing monthly allowances.
Offering mental health services, counseling, and respite care to give caregivers a break.
Making it easier to combine work and caregiving through flexible hours and remote work options.
Improving financial help for the people they care for, like increasing benefits and simplifying access to support programs.
Care providers, who work directly with those needing care, face tough working conditions. Many feel they are paid unfairly, work in unsafe environments, or don’t have enough staff to help them. As a result, most of them (73%) have considered leaving their jobs. This shortage makes it even harder for people to get the care they need.
The report recommends paying care workers fair wages and making it easier for migrant workers to stay in Canada and continue working in care jobs.
Many caregivers and care providers do not feel supported by the government. Over half say they are disappointed with how the government is handling caregiving issues. This lack of support is especially hard for families.
Most Canadians believe caregiving policies are very important when they vote. The government needs to make caregiving a top priority by following through on a plan called the National Caregiving Strategy.
The caregiving crisis in Canada affects us all. Without proper support, caregivers and care providers will continue to face hardships, and our health and economy will suffer. It is urgent that the government takes action to improve supports, protect workers, and recognize the vital work of caregivers. Everyone benefits when caregivers are supported and cared for.
Read more -Caring in Canada 2026
The Convention
The Canadian Labour Congress convention started with a special talk by Geraldine “Gramma” Shingoose. Gramma is a respected Elder and activist from Winnipeg. She spoke about the importance of honoring our past and remembering how our ancestors fought for workers’ rights and unions. She also shared her own experience in residential schools and reminded everyone to care for each other. Gramma encouraged delegates to use their voices to make a difference at the convention.
Leaders from Winnipeg welcomed everyone. Kevin Rebeck, who is the President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, and Melissa Dvorak, President of the Winnipeg Labour Council, spoke about Winnipeg’s strong labour history, dating back to the big 1919 General Strike. They said that the spirit of workers helping each other still lives in the city. They also talked about how union members have helped get important changes, like better laws to protect workers, and free menstrual products in workplaces.
The President of the Canadian Labour Congress, Bea Bruske, gave a report next. She shared her family’s history, including how her grandfather fought against the Nazis in Germany and was killed for it. From her family’s story, she learned that when workers are divided, they are weak. But when they stand together, they become powerful. Bea talked about her own experience working as a grocery clerk and going on strike to fight for workers’ rights.
She pointed out some recent wins for workers, like pharmacare and dental care. But she said there are still many challenges. She emphasized that workers must fight for everyone’s rights because “an injury to one is an injury to all.” Bea finished by saying that unions should help all workers, remove barriers to joining unions, and fight against efforts to stop unions in collective bargaining.
After lunch, a panel of leaders talked about the fight for democracy in different parts of the world. Bea Bruske from Canada, Liz Shuler from the United States, and Judith Kirton-Darling from Europe discussed how workers are facing tough times. They explained that some politicians say one thing but do another, which makes things worse for workers. The panel said it’s important for communities to listen to people’s concerns and stay organized. They shared some positive stories, like new leaders and elections in places like New York, Spain, and Manitoba.
Naheed Nenshi, a leader from Alberta, talked about what’s happening in his province. He said Alberta is both a warning and an inspiration. The government there used the Not with Standing laws to take away workers’ rights, and they attacked healthcare and education. Nenshi warned that if Alberta’s government succeeds, other parts of Canada could face the same problems. He urged workers to keep fighting for good healthcare, education, and fair treatment for everyone.
Finally, Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, sent a short video message. He talked about his background working as a teacher and supporting workers. He praised the policies he put in place as governor that help workers and families.
This convention showed how important it is for workers to come together, stand up for their rights, and support each other. The speakers reminded everyone that united, workers can make real change.
Tuesday, May 12: Build the Future Convention
On Tuesday, May 12, the second day of the Build the Future Convention, many important events took place. The day started with a panel discussion hosted by Tanya Palson, who is the Executive Director of Manitoba Building Trades. The panel had three guests: Robert Duarte from Ironworkers, Marc Lafond from IUOE, and Nicole Boreland from LIUNA Canada.
They talked about how they became tradespeople and shared their experiences. They explained that union workers usually earn better wages and benefits compared to non-union workers. The panel also discussed current issues in the building trades, such as training, job insecurity, health and safety, discrimination, and why some people may not want to join the trades.
Later in the day, Manitoba’s Premier Wab Kinew spoke to the crowd. He talked about his support for unions and explained some of the work his government is doing. For example, they recently cut taxes on gas and PST to help people save money. He also mentioned that his government supports trans rights. Kinew showed that it is possible to support both tax cuts and equality at the same time.
Kinew highlighted some of his government’s achievements, like laws to protect union workers and making it easier to form unions. He warned about threats from U.S. politics, especially from Donald Trump and the tariffs he has put on Canada. Kinew said that even after Trump leaves office, ideas like Trumpism can still be a problem because wealthy people continue to support it.
He also talked about how Manitoba is taking action to protect young people from new technology, like banning social media and AI chatbots for those under 16 until proper rules are in place. Kinew ended by saying that his government, the NDP, is the party that makes
sense for everyday people. He called for workers to unite and work together to create real change in the country.
In the afternoon, there was a panel called “We Fight For Dignity,” hosted by Jen Hassum from the Broadbent Institute. This panel included union leaders Karen Ranalletta from CUPE, Rona Eckert from CUPW, John Di Nino from ATU, and Alex Silas from PSAC. They talked about important issues like jobs being lost to outsourcing and new technology like AI, which affects public service jobs.
Karen Ranalletta shared her concerns about jobs in post-secondary education in British Columbia, where underfunding has led to layoffs. She explained that investing in education and skills training can help boost the economy. John Di Nino talked about public transit and how the lack of investment is hurting workers and communities. He said Canada needs a national plan for transit to ensure people are not left stranded or worse.
Overall, the second day of the convention was full of important discussions about workers’ rights, the economy, and how to create a better future for everyone.
Here is a report based on the article, written at an 8th-grade reading level:
Wednesday, May 13: Build the Future Convention
On the third morning of the convention, Avi Lewis spoke to everyone from the same place where he was elected as the new leader of Canada’s NDP just six weeks earlier. He was excited to start his new role and shared his thoughts on what needs to happen next.
Avi Lewis criticized the current Liberal government. He said they aren’t talking enough with workers and are not working closely enough with the labor movement. He believes that if the government wants to help all Canadians, they need to work together with workers and unions.
He shared some of the plans the NDP will focus on in the coming weeks. These include removing a law called Section 107, which makes it hard for workers to go on strike, and fixing loopholes in laws that companies use to break strikes. For example, some companies like Rogers have been bringing in strike breakers from other provinces to keep working going.
Avi Lewis also talked about a problem called surveillance pricing. This is when companies use technology to change the prices of products based on people’s personal data. They do this to make more money by showing different prices for the same item in the same store.
He admitted that the NDP has lost touch with many working-class Canadians, even though under the leadership of Jagmeet Singh, the party has made progress. Lewis said it’s very important to reconnect with workers, union leaders, and communities that have been ignored or pushed aside, like racialized communities, LGBTQ+ groups, and people with disabilities.
He finished by saying the best gift workers can get is a union card, and he wished everyone a good rest of the convention.
Guest Panel: We Care for All
A panel discussion was hosted by Mitzie Hunter from the Canadian Women’s Foundation. Panelists included Jess Thomas from CUPE, Lucy Morton from NUPGE, Linda Wilson from UFCW, Denise Pinnock from PIPSC, and Chris Gallaway from Friends of Medicare.
They talked about the importance of care work, like child care, care for people with disabilities, and elder care. They explained that if care work disappears even for one day, it could be life-threatening. Care work is very important because it helps people live better lives. But unfortunately, care workers are often not valued enough, and they face poor working conditions and even abuse, especially in privatized healthcare.
Honouring Murray Sinclair
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) announced that Murray Sinclair received a posthumous award called the CLC Award for Outstanding Service to Humanity. Sinclair was a leader who made a big difference. Stephanie Scott from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation accepted the award in his honor and shared updates about the work of the center.
We Fight for Justice
The “We Fight for Justice” part of the event started with a speech from Dr. Adelle Blackett. She is a law professor at McGill University and an expert in labor law. Dr. Blackett talked about how peace in the world is connected to social justice. She said that everyone should be able to work with dignity and respect.
She emphasized the importance of fairness and inclusion at work. She explained that equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are necessary for creating strong and united workplaces and communities. She called this “solidarity in action,” meaning people working together to support each other.
Leadership Announcements
All the leadership candidates ran uncontested, meaning no one was running against them.
The following leaders will officially start their roles on Thursday:
President: Bea Bruske
Secretary-Treasurer: Lily Chang
Executive Vice-President: Siobhán Vipond
Executive Vice-President: Marc-Édouard Joubert
Report on Thursday, May 14 – Build the Future Convention
On Thursday, May 14, the last day of the convention, there was an important panel discussion about building worker power. The panel was hosted by Nat Wilson from Point Blank. The panel included Jeremy Salter from IATSE, Pablo Godoy from UFCW, Munib Sajjad from OSSTF, and Deepak Kullar from USW.
The speakers talked about the challenges workers face when trying to form unions. They explained that some employers resist union efforts and try to stop workers from organizing. They also discussed how having a government that supports labor laws helps workers succeed in forming unions.
The panel also covered the difficulties workers who have never been in a union face when trying to organize. They shared ideas on how to succeed by focusing on community support and understanding workers’ individual needs. The speakers admitted that they have made mistakes, like using the same organizing plans for everyone, which doesn’t always work. They emphasized the importance of making workers see how their individual goals connect to the goals of the entire union.
After a successful union drive, the speakers explained that it can still be hard to reach an agreement with employers. Some employers try to delay or prevent negotiations from starting, which makes it difficult for workers to get fair working conditions.
A Message from Bernie Sanders
Before lunch and the big rally in the streets of Winnipeg, delegates watched a video from US Senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders talked about how important it is for workers in Canada and the US to come together. He said that inequality is worse than ever, with most of the wealth in the hands of billionaires.
Sanders believes the union movement is growing stronger in the US, and he encouraged workers to keep fighting against the powerful oligarchs. He said it is our duty to stand up for workers’ rights and win the fight for fair treatment.
Message from Premier Eby
BC Premier David Eby also sent a video message to the delegates. He shared how the BC government supports workers. Some of the actions he mentioned include making it easier to get union certification, requiring crane operators to be certified, and expanding apprenticeship programs. Eby highlighted that these efforts help workers gain better skills and protections.
This day showed that building worker power is an ongoing effort that requires teamwork, strong laws, and determination. Workers, unions, and governments all have an important role to play in making sure workers are treated fairly.
Thank you to Move Up for providing information each day on the happenings in the convention.
Resolutions passed on Day 1
ESP Composite Resolution 1: Industrial Policy
ESP Composite Resolution 2: Resisting Attacks on Labour Rights
ESP Composite Resolution 3: Combatting Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
ESP Composite Resolution 4: Post-Secondary Education
ESP Composition Resolution 5: Artificial Intelligence*
Resolutions passed on Day 2
GEN Composite Resolution 1: Public Service Cuts*
GEN Composite Resolution 2: Indigenous Justice
GEN Composite Resolution 3: Supporting Safer Work
GEN Composite Resolution: Anti-Hate and Anti-Fascism
CSR Composite Resolution 1: CS-004 and CS-012
ESP Composite Resolution 6: Trade
ESP Composite Resolution 7: Employment Insurance
ESP Resolution 8 (ESP-076): Closing the Gender Wage Gap
ESP Composite Resolution 9: Migrant Workers’ Rights
ESP Composite Resolution 10: Fair Taxation
ESP Resolution 11 (ESP-022): Precarious Work
ESP Composite Resolution 12: Affordability*
Resolutions passed on Day 3
GEN Composite Resolution 6: Health Care Workers
GEN Composite Resolution 7: Transit
GEN Resolution 8 (GEN-089): Child Care
ESP Composite Resolution 13: Pensions*
ESP Composite Resolution 14: First Nations Public Utility Projects
ESP Resolution 15 (ESP-099): Establishing a National Secretariat or Minister for Education
ESP Resolution 16 (ESP-092): Union-Busting by Amazon and other Multinational Companies
ESP Resolution 17 (ESP-095): National Seniors Strategy*
ESP Resolution 18 (ESP-087): Misuse of Casual and Student Workers
ESP Resolution 19 (ESP-098): National Commercial Agreement Lockout
ESP Resolution 20 (ESP-056) Air Passenger Protection Regulations
Resolutions passed on Day 4
GEN Resolution 5 (GEN-134): Palestinian Solidarity (amended to include calling the CLC to cut ties with the Histadrut)
GEN Resolution 9 (GEN-096): Worker Involvement in Sustainable Jobs Action Plans
GEN Composite Resolution 10: Gender Equity and Rights in Health Care
Resolution ER-08: Enforcing the Canada Health Act*
Resolution ER-10: Defending Canada’s Public Postal Service*
ER Composite Resolution (ER-01, ER-03, ER-06): Solidarity with Cuba*
Resolution ER-09: Canada Labour Code
*Indicates a resolution submitted by the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada, or a composite resolution that includes content submitted by CURC
Read more - Resolution Committees Report - Reports of the Resolutions Committees (EN, PDF) (1).pdf