Issue 72 – 25, October 12th, 2025
Cease Fire
This agreement is a small step toward peace between Israel and Palestine. Israel is pulling back from parts of Gaza, and Hamas will release all hostages, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. This could help stop the violence, death and starvation after two years.
Many trade unions worldwide want peace based on both sides respecting each other's rights and creating two independent states, Israel and Palestine, that live peacefully side by side. They believe that respecting workers' rights, such as fair pay, safe workplaces, and freedom to organize, is essential for a just and lasting peace.
Unions call for a full ceasefire, meaning violence stops completely, and for international help to make sure everyone stays safe and secure. They want humanitarian aid to reach everyone, including food, medicine, and supplies, without restrictions.
They also say that Palestinians should be involved in future peace talks, and any temporary government should be democratic and accountable. It’s important that workers’ rights are protected during this process, so people can rebuild their lives with fair jobs, decent working conditions, and social protections.
Everyone should follow international laws, and actions should be fair and just. Unions emphasize that lasting peace depends on mutual respect, understanding, and protecting workers’ rights. They are ready to support workers on both sides and promote dialogue to build a future based on fairness, social justice, and respect for everyone’s rights.
The Fight to Protect the Crown Corporation and Postal Workers
Canada Post is a vital part of our country. It helps connect communities, delivers mail, and provides thousands of good jobs for workers across Canada. But recently, both the government and Canada Post have made decisions that threaten the future of this public service and the jobs of postal workers.
The government has taken actions that threaten the future of Canada Post. Instead of listening to the public and postal workers, they quickly decided to cut services without talking to anyone first. The Minister responsible, Joël Lightbound, did not even mention these measures in meetings with CUPW, the day before announcing them. Instead of expanding services or finding new revenue sources, the government chose to cut and weaken what Canada Post offers.
These cuts include ending door to door delivery for four million households, closing community post offices, and lowering service standards.
What does this mean for us? It means fewer jobs, less reliable service, and communities losing their local post offices. For seniors and people with disabilities, it could mean losing easy access to mail and packages. For rural and Indigenous communities, it might mean losing their post offices altogether.
Postal workers have been fighting back. They went on a nationwide strike to protect their jobs and the services we all depend on. They are still working hard to negotiate better agreements, but Canada Post has offered very little in return. Instead of working fairly,
Canada Post is playing hardball, refusing to improve wages, protect jobs, or keep services the same. They also want to bring back proposed cuts from past negotiations. This shows that with the Carney government’s announcement, Canada Post is planning a major attack on workers’ rights, risking jobs, pensions, and community services.
Canada Post is a public service owned by us all. We have a right to have our voices heard about how it is run. The government should support workers and protect these services, not cut them for profit or political reasons.
We must support these efforts and oppose government and employer attempts to cut jobs and erode our public postal service. Together, we can protect this vital part of our country now and for future generations.
Yesterday, postal workers began rotating strikes across the country. This is a way to keep delivering mail while still fighting for better jobs and services. They didn’t want to strike, but they had no choice. They are fighting to keep Canada Post a public, community focused service that provides good jobs for workers.
We all need to support postal workers and demand that the government respects their rights. They work hard to deliver our mail every day, and they deserve fair treatment and good jobs. Canada Post should not be turned into a private company or stripped of its public mission.
Let’s stand together to protect our postal service. It’s a vital part of our country, our communities, and our everyday lives.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
Get petitions signed. Gather signatures from union retirees, active union members, your community, friends, and family who support keeping Canada Post publicly owned and fully funded.
Deliver petitions to your MP. Send the signed petitions to your local Member of Parliament (MP).
Ask your MP to hear your concerns and to support policies that protect and strengthen Canada Post.
Urge your MP to act.
- Write a letter or make a phone call to your MP, asking them to:
- Respect the rights of postal workers
- Oppose service cuts and post office closures
- Support keeping Canada Post publicly owned and community-focused
- Work with workers to negotiate fair contracts
By collecting signatures and talking to MPs, we can encourage government leaders to prioritize public services and fair treatment for workers.
Thank you for standing up for Canada Post and your community.
Let’s keep fighting for a postal service that serves everyone! Petition -
2025-10-06_Petition_Stop_the_
Taking Care of Our Seniors: The Government’s Efforts Reflect the Calls of the Congress of Union Retirees
For years, the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada has been advocating for better support, stronger protections, and respect for seniors across the country. Many of the initiatives now being undertaken by the government show that these efforts are making a difference.
Preparing for climate change and emergencies is another concern that advocacy groups, including the CURC, have raised for years.
One of the most important steps is the government’s commitment to uphold the rights and dignity of older persons, including their support for the UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. The Congress has long called for Canada to take a leadership role in protecting seniors’ rights internationally. The government’s active engagement for the proposed UN convention aligns with these efforts, emphasizing that seniors everywhere deserve respect, protection, and a voice. Canada’s leadership in this area shows it is listening to the advocacy of groups like the Congress of Union Retirees.
SENATE QUESTION PERIOD – October 7th
Summary of responses (Honourable Stephanie McLean, P.C., M.P., Secretary of State (Seniors)
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, today we have with us for Question Period the Honourable Stephanie McLean, P.C., M.P., Secretary of State (Seniors), to respond to questions concerning her ministerial responsibilities. On behalf of all senators, I welcome the secretary.
As our population ages, it becomes more important than ever to ensure that seniors are treated with dignity, respect, and care. The government of Canada is working on many initiatives to support seniors and protect their rights.
Within Canada, the government is also focused on ensuring that policies and programs consider the diverse needs of seniors, including Indigenous elders and those from minority groups. They use tools like the Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) to make sure that programs are fair and inclusive for everyone.
Many seniors worry about money. The government has increased benefits like the Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) to help low-income seniors. These benefits are designed to keep pace with rising costs of living, such as food and housing. They also plan to make benefits automatic for those who qualify, so seniors don’t have to fill out complex forms to get help.
However, there are concerns about the sustainability of some programs, especially since high-income seniors also receive benefits that might not be needed by those in greater need. The government emphasizes that these programs are vital for ensuring dignity and security for vulnerable seniors and will continue to support them responsibly.
Sadly, some seniors face abuse or neglect, especially in care homes or through scams. The government declares that abuse is a crime and is working on stronger laws and better law enforcement to stop it. They are also exploring ways to track elder abuse better across the country to prevent it before it happens.
Many family members, often women, care for their aging loved ones. The government recognizes this work and is creating programs to support caregivers, including helping them save for retirement and providing respite care. They are also working toward a national caregivers’ strategy to give caregivers more resources and protection.
To help seniors stay active and connected, the government funds community projects that promote social inclusion. These projects help reduce loneliness and improve mental health, especially for seniors living alone or in remote areas.
Climate change poses risks such as heatwaves, floods, and wildfires, which can be especially dangerous for seniors. The government works with emergency agencies and experts to develop plans that protect seniors during disasters. They are listening to research and making sure seniors are included in all emergency preparedness strategies.
Many seniors feel lonely, which can negatively affect their health. The government supports programs that bring seniors together through social activities, celebrations, and support groups. They want to expand these programs so that more communities can help seniors stay active and connected.
One important area is the rights and well-being of older persons. Canada actively engaged with the United Nations’ efforts to protect these rights through the UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. The government works with international organizations to promote the rights of seniors worldwide, believing that all older people should be respected, protected, and empowered, not just in Canada but around the world.
Canada is committed to supporting the work of a proposed convention, which aims to improve the lives of older adults everywhere. Canada is committed to protecting the rights and well-being of seniors. From supporting their financial security and protecting them from abuse to ensuring inclusive communities and preparing for emergencies, the government is working hard to make sure that aging Canadians can enjoy their later years with dignity and respect. Everyone deserves to be valued and cared for, no matter their age.
Read more - Debates, Issue 22 (October 7, 2025)