Issue 77 – 25, November 16th, 2025
Cutting Public Service Jobs Hurts Canadians
Tomorrow, if the budget passes the Canadian government will cut many public service jobs. This is a bad idea and will hurt Canadians in many ways.
During the election, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised not to cut public service jobs. Cutting jobs now is a mistake, especially during a tough economic time caused by trade problems with the United States and other issues. Instead of cutting jobs, the government should focus on ways to get more money and spend wisely.
Carney’s plan is to reduce the government’s workforce by 15 percent doesn't save money in the long run. It might save some money at first, but it ends up costing more and reducing the quality of services Canadians depend on.
Instead of cutting jobs, the government could find better ways to get money. One idea is to introduce a wealth tax. This tax would only affect the people who have over $10 million in assets. A small tax of 1 percent on their wealth could bring in over $22 billion each year. That money could help pay for services without cutting jobs. Most Canadians wouldn’t be affected at all.
Another way to save money is to reduce the government’s office space and let more public workers work from home. Currently, the government spends around $2 billion each year on office buildings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many public workers proved they could work just as well from home. Saving money on offices could help keep jobs and improve services.
In the past, Canada’s government expanded its public service after tough times, instead of going back to old ways of cutting jobs and programs, the government should learn from history and support its public servants.
The government should find smarter ways to raise money and cut unnecessary spending. Canadians deserve a strong public service that helps everyone, especially during difficult times.
Read more - Public Sector Job Cuts Undermine the Federal Government’s Commitment to Canadians | Perspectives Journal
South Africa’s as G20 Leader
In December 2024, South Africa took on a big role by becoming the leader of the G20, a group of the world's most powerful economies. This was a historic moment because it was the first time an African country led the G20. The G20 summit will be held in Johannesburg in November 22-24, 2025, making Africa the host for this important meeting. This event is symbolic, meaning it shows Africa's importance, but many people hope it will also lead to real changes that help the world and Africa.
The G20 is a group of 20 countries, plus the European Union and the African Union. They meet every year to talk about big issues like the economy, climate change, and how to make development fair for everyone. The group has a rotating leader, and this year, South Africa is in charge. Since joining the G20 in 1999, South Africa was the only African country in the group until the African Union became a permanent member in 2023.
South Africa’s main goals for its leadership are to focus on "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability." This means helping countries recover from crises like climate change, poverty, and economic problems. South Africa wants the G20 to work more closely with developing countries, especially in Africa, to make sure no one is left behind. Their plan includes improving disaster responses, managing debt, supporting clean energy, and using Africa’s natural resources, like minerals, to grow the economy.
Africa’s share of global trade is small—only about 2-3%—even though the continent has a lot of potential. Most exports are raw materials, which don’t add much value. South Africa hopes that the G20 meeting in Johannesburg will help change this and turn Africa into a place that produces more finished goods, like medicines and green energy products. Experts say that if Africa’s voice is only symbolic and not backed by real action, it could lead to disappointment. To truly benefit, Africa needs investments and fair-trade policies that help local businesses grow.
We have been saying that ordinary people are left out of the G20 talks. Civil society leaders, like Matshidiso Lencoasa, argue that citizens should have a say in decisions that affect their lives. Workers and women are also calling for more action on creating jobs, fair wages, and equal opportunities, especially for women and those in informal jobs, which make up a big part of Africa’s economy.
There are mixed feelings about what the G20 can achieve in Africa. While some see it as a chance for real change, others worry it might just be symbolic. Experts believe that for Africa to truly benefit, the G20 needs to follow through with concrete plans that help Africa grow stronger, more independent, and more connected to global markets.
South Africa’s role as G20 leader is a big step for Africa. It shows the world that Africa is important and has a voice. The success of this leadership will depend on whether it leads to real improvements, like fair trade, better jobs, and sustainable growth for Africa and the world. As South Africa’s leaders say, they are guided by "Ubuntu," the idea that “I am because we are,” meaning that working together can make a better world for everyone.
At the G20, workers must be at the center of global recovery and reform.
"Trade unions and governments share a common responsibility: to respond immediately to workers’ everyday problems, to give them the means to take themselves out of poverty, out of informality, precariousness and ensure decent work and decent lives for all." Luc Triangle, ITUC General Secretary
Read more - The G20 in Africa: Symbol or Substance? - Africa Uncensored
Read more - ITUC welcomes Stiglitz-led G20 report calling for a permanent global body on inequality - International Trade Union Confederation
16 Days of Activism "Unions Rise Up Against Gender-Based Violence"
November 25 is the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women. It also marks the start of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which ends on Human Rights Day on December 10. Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women falls within the 16 Days of Activism and is marked with vigils and events to commemorate the lives lost at Montreal’s École Polytechnique in 1989 and the lives lost to femicide and gender-based violence through the year. Canada's unions commemorate 16 Days of Activism to draw attention to the gender-based violence that workers experience every single day. The CLC's 2025 Campaign theme, "Unions Rise Up Against Gender-Based Violence"
Webinar - On November 27, the Canadian Labour Congress will host a public webinar to highlight union led wins that address gender-based violence both at work and in our communities. Participants will hear inspiring stories from union representatives on local and regional initiatives led by workers from coast to coast towards ending GBV at work.
Registration for this webinar is open now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_51T9lH0yTPmOsVJsYFNFMA