Statement from Bea Bruske: Poilievre’s Conservatives blocking priority bills for workers

OTTAWA––Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, released the following statement:

“Canada’s unions are outraged by the political games on display in Parliament this week as opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and his Conservative Party use procedural tactics to delay, derail, and ultimately block critical pieces of legislation designed to benefit workers across Canada. The Sustainable Jobs Act (Bill C-50) is aimed at shaping Canada’s strategy to protect and create good, low-carbon jobs, while anti-scab Bill C-58 is focused on restoring fairness for workers in collective bargaining, yet the Conservatives are doing everything in their power to block these bills.

“At a time when workers and their families are reflecting on a year that was marked by a crushing affordability crisis, the devastating impacts of climate change and constant undermining of workers’ rights by wealthy corporations, Poilievre has opted to double down on attacking working people.

“Mr. Poilievre’s actions in Parliament differ sharply from the public persona he is trying to create. But recent polls indicate that the public is starting to see through the nonsense. Whether it’s voting against school meals for hungry kids, filibustering legislation that would create and protect good jobs, or siding with corporations over everyday Canadians, Poilievre and the Conservatives consistently oppose the priorities that Canada’s unions advocate for on behalf of all workers. We won’t let it go unchallenged.

“Canada’s unions strongly urge Mr. Poilievre and his colleagues in the Conservative Party to stop using workers and their families as political pawns. Parliamentarians of all stripes must work together for the good of hardworking people across this country. That starts with passing Bill C-50 and Bill C-58.”