The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) recently held its annual Lobby Day in Ottawa this week, bringing together 300 workers and labour leaders from across the country. This event provided a podium for workers to share their personal experiences and advocate for urgent action to address the immense problems facing Canadians today.
The CLC’s key priorities for this year’s Lobby Day included making life more affordable, supporting workers, and strengthening Canada’s public healthcare system. These concerns are deeply felt by many Canadians, who are struggling with the rising costs of living, stagnant wages, and inadequate access to healthcare.
CLC President Bea Bruske emphasized the need for bold action to address these challenges, stating that “this isn’t just an affordability crisis—it’s an inequality crisis”. Bruske also highlighted the importance of protecting and strengthening Canada’s public healthcare system, which is facing significant pressures and challenges.
Throughout the day, workers and labour leaders met with elected officials to advocate for policies that support workers and their families. The CLC is pushing for concrete actions, including expanding EI access, investing in skills training, strengthening the care economy, and improving workplace standards and union access .
Overall, the Canadian Labour Congress’s annual Lobby Day was a powerful demonstration of the labour movement’s commitment to advocating for workers’ rights and interests. “Lobby Day is our opportunity for workers to bring these urgent concerns directly to decision-makers and demand action,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Council. As Bruske noted, “Canada’s unions are ready to work with the government to find solutions that will improve the lives of millions of Canadians”.
Advocating for a Better Canada : Reports from our LL1231 Lobbyists
Susanna Duncan – Steward Peel : On November 26, 2024, I had the privilege for the first time of joining my Union Brothers and Sisters at Parliament Hill in Ottawa to advocate for key issues impacting our members and the broader community. Our delegation engaged in a productive and insightful meeting with Member of Parliament Chad Collins, representing Hamilton and the Liberal Party.Key Topics Discussed
- Healthcare System Challenges
We highlighted the critical issues facing the healthcare system, emphasizing the need for systemic improvements to support healthcare workers and patients alike.
- Cost of Living Concerns
The rising cost of living for Canadians was brought forward as a pressing issue. We underscored how inflation and economic pressures are affecting workers and their families.
- Contract Flipping in the Aerospace Sector
We addressed the issue of contract flipping, which adversely impacts job security, wages, and benefits for workers in the aerospace industry.
Conclusion
This lobbying effort was a valuable opportunity to directly engage with federal representatives and advocate for the concerns of our members and communities. MP Collins’ willingness to listen and provide transparency in his responses reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration between unions and policymakers.
We remain committed to pushing for progress on these critical issues and look forward to reviewing the Government’s forthcoming report on LTC.
Merene Robinson – Chief Steward Peel : We attended the 2024 Canada Labour Congress lobbying day in Ottawa from Nov 25 to 27. This was a great experience. We spoke to various MP about issues that’s affecting our day to day lives. One topic was Investing To Strengthen Public Health Care. The need for a strong accessible health care system for all Canadians. Health-care shouldn’t depend on employment. Canadians need a universal Healthcare system that provides care base on need not on private insurance or ability to pay. Health Care workers should be paid a decent wages to support their families. The leader of the NDP party Jagmeet Singh was also there to support us. There was also a surprise visitor. The prime minister also showed up for a photo moment. Please remember to Vote Labour friendly next election.
Nneka Abosede – Steward Toronto : As a first-time delegate at Lobby Day, I had the opportunity to engage with policymakers and advocate for workers on critical issues affecting our community. During my meetings with two Members of Parliament, we discussed the mental health challenges faced by workers, the rising costs of rent and groceries, and the low wages of healthcare workers, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms.
I also attended a workshop that provided valuable insights into effective advocacy strategies and participated in a townhall meeting where key issues were discussed collaboratively with Jagmeet Singh. The event concluded with a reception that allowed for meaningful networking and reflection.
Overall, Lobby Day was a productive and enlightening experience, offering a platform to address pressing concerns and foster dialogue with decision-makers.
It was a great honor to be part of the Team in Solidarity!!!
Stephanie Maratta – Chief Steward Nurses Toronto : As a first time attendee I didn’t quite know what to expect. There were so much comaraderie and support I felt in the union. What I learned was how each one of us can make a huge difference. We are the workers and we have a strong voice that carries weight. We can change policies, we can make changes. It was empowering to know what we can do. And what we will do together.
Merry St. Bernard – President : This year, our CLC in Ottawa was a great experience for the 12 members who attended. Of the 12 members, 7 were first-time attendees. I lobbied with Iqwinder Gaheer MP Mississauga-Malton from the Liberal Party. We let him know that we will be speaking on behalf of many workers. He was very interested and focused on what we had to say and even shared something that happened to him at the hospital. He is quite aware and has a clear understanding of what needs to change in this country. The door is open for us to visit him in his office whenever he is in Mississauga. Jagmeet Singh Jimmy Dhaliwal, MP leader of the New Democratic Party, sat with us and gave us his vision for working people in Canada. We were able to ask questions and received some good promising answers.
Justin Pierre James Trudeau is a Canadian politician who has been serving as the 23rd prime minister of Canada since 2015, and the leader of the Liberal Party He did a walk through and took pictures. I must say I was disappointed in this, I thought he would at least tell us what to expect from him as our leader.
Reazul Haque – Steward Toronto : “It was a great opportunity for me to attend the lobby day for the first time in Ottawa on November 26 2024. Group meetings with the MP Mendicino Marco, Liberal Party of Canada and Non Affiliated Senator McBean Marnie. Also attended the meeting with NDP leader Jagmeet Sing and CLC executive VP Siobhan Vipond at National Arts centre who answered questions and discussed the topics that impact workers and their families coast to coast. MP, Senator and NDP leader listened to our concerns attentively. Overall, it was a wonderful experience for me and gathered a good learning.
Thanks to the IAMAW, local lodge 1231 management specially madam president and her team who guided and supported me for the event “
Nahiyan Siddique – Steward York : Lobby Day Report 2024:
Experience and Key Takeaways
During Lobby Day in Ottawa, I had the privilege of engaging in several impactful meetings with
MP Francesco Sorbara (Vaughan—Woodbridge, Liberal Party of Canada) and Senator Salma Ataullahjan (Toronto, Conservative Party of Canada). The focus of these discussions was on three core advocacy priorities: affordability, supporting workers, and strengthening Canada’s public healthcare system. These meetings provided valuable insights into the political landscape and the ongoing challenges faced by workers and advocacy groups across the country.
Meetings and Discussions:
The meetings were productive and focused on key issues directly affecting workers and their families:
• Affordability: We highlighted the rising cost of living and advocated for policies aimed at reducing the cost of essentials. Key points included reducing prescription drug prices and increasing support for affordable housing, to help ease the burden on Canadians struggling with inflation.
• Supporting Workers: A significant portion of the discussion centered on improving labor protections, fair wages, and better working conditions. We raised concerns about expanding paid sick leave, addressing workplace safety issues, and tackling the challenges posed by the gig economy.
• Public Healthcare: We dedicated considerable time to advocating for a stronger public healthcare system, emphasizing the need for increased funding, reduced wait times, and expanded access to healthcare services, particularly mental health care and services in rural areas.
Key Takeaways:
• Collaborative advocacy is crucial: Coordinated efforts between unions, workers’ organizations, and political leaders can lead to more impactful outcomes.
• Worker-centered policies are gaining momentum: There is growing recognition of the need to address labor shortages, fair wages, and better working conditions, particularly in healthcare.
• Healthcare reform is urgently needed: With ongoing challenges such as long wait times and staffing shortages, reforms must focus on equitable access and better conditions for healthcare workers.
Final Thoughts:
This Lobby Day experience reinforced the importance of sustained advocacy and staying engaged with policymakers. The discussions highlighted the need for policies that benefit workers and ensure the long-term sustainability of Canada’s public services. Moving forward, continued collaboration and action on these priorities will be essential for achieving meaningful change across Canada.
Additional Information:
I encourage all members to stay engaged and informed about ongoing advocacy efforts. Our collective voice is crucial in pushing for policies that benefit workers and protect the future of Canada’s public services.
Dorine Agendia- Chief Steward Peel : I attended a workshop at Shaw Center, and what I learned from it was that it is important to take part in an election because it affects public health, it affects Canaidian Pension Plan, pharmaceutical, dental care which we are all part of.
I also learned that unions have to be political because everything we are asking for is from the government, and if we do not have a seat at the table, then we will be on the menu. The union supports good politics for our members. We advocate on their behalf. For example, everything we lobbied the government for last year was granted to us, like the Antiscab legislation, pharmaceutical, sustainableJob Act.
Government decisions directly affect members’ working conditions. The government is the employer, and we have to stand up for ourselves, we advocate and support parties that support our ideas, and our political advocacy ensures that workers’ voices are heard in policy making.
My meeting with the MP of Brampton South Liberal Party. We talked to her about investing to strengthen health care, how there are a lot of shortages, and we see that on a daily basis in the community. She thanked us for being on the front line and stated that she is leading current studies about burnout in healthcare and how workers need more pay.
We talked about investing in making life more affordable. She said that they have implemented the plan to give all Canadians a check of $250 and no tax on groceries. She said the province has put in billions of dollars to build affordable housing. She stated that they now have a senior minister, which they did not have before. The minister is responsible for making sure that seniors live an affordable life, called Aging while at home.
She said she also fought to pass on bill C2 37 which is a national frame work for diabetes, free medication for diabetic patients.
She added that there is disability tax credit which took her 4 years to fight for it and it is now a law.
She went further to say she supported the $10 per day Daycare to help families
Marcia Stone – Recording Secretary : Although I have been to the CLC Lobbying in the past with my Local 1231, this time especially was a great pleasure and honour to be a mentor to the new members that attended.
I can see that these new members are so ready and excited to be a part of our journey. I found that they were very engaging, inquisitive, hardworking and productive. Most of all I found that there was extraordinary Solidarity among the new members of the PAC team. It was great to see and encouraging for the future generations to come.
I went with my IAMAW team to their meeting, and we spoke on Contract flipping and making the dental care universal. The MP was very understanding, and he said that he would do what he can to help. At the second meeting my IAMAW sister and myself met with Liberal Party MP Sidhu Sonia and we spoke mostly on the healthcare, housing and cost of living. She mentioned to us that she was the one who fought for Diabetes Care, and she will continue to fight for the people.
Valencia Whint – Trustee : As it was my first time in Ottawa on November 26, my purpose was to better understand lobbying and be effective on how legislations work. I had the opportunity of meeting with Senator Don Stewart of TO St Paul Conservative. Our panel discussed the extensive decline of healthcare and the frustration with the Community psw assisting In facilities with minimal support of the of Facility workers. It was a great privilege and honor to have been accompanied by the seasoned sisters and brothers who had lobbied many times before. I was inspired to take the torch and trek onwards. Thank you for a phenomenal experience and I wish to have many more and be an inspiration to others, who will follow. Thank you
HIGHLIGHTS FROM CLC LOBBY DAY
Lobbying with the government causes several direct achievements like influencing policy decisions, thereby shaping government policies, laws and regulations to benefit our workers and the Canadian people. Lobbying can secure funding for projects, initiatives and programs. It can lead to changes in regulations, raise awareness about specific issues and put them on the government’s radar. It helps build relationships between stakeholders, government officials and decision makers. It helps shape public opinion, by framing issues, creating narratives and mobilizing support. In the Long run it brings about systemic changes, establishes precedents for future policy decisions, and it amplifies the voices of marginalized and minority groups, thereby empowering them and promoting social justice and equality.
“Unity is strength, and when there is teamwork and Collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved” – Mattie Stepanek
We saw that by lobbying with the government officials we were able to drive change, influence policy and promote specific interests.
“THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE BEAUTY OF THEIR DREAMS” – Eleanor Roosevelt
LET US CREATE A BIG, BRIGHTER FUTURE TOGETHER!