On behalf of everyone at IAMAW Transportation District Lodge 140, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Michele Bujold, Sr. Administrative Assistant, on the occasion of her retirement. Michele celebrated her final day on May 17th, 2024, marking a remarkable 47-year tenure with the IAMAW.

Michele’s dedication and service have been an integral part of our success, and her presence will be greatly missed. As she embarks on this new chapter, we wish her a happy, healthy, and fulfilling retirement. May the years ahead bring her much joy and relaxation.

On the right, President and Directing General Chairperson Dave Flowers; in the center, Sr. Administrative Assistant Michèle Bujold; to by the middle left, Secretary-Treasurer Alfredo Acrobati ; and on the far left, General Chairperson Guillaume Lingat.

It was a successful 10th anniversary for the Canadian Political Action Symposium. IAM activists from across Canada gathered at the crown jewel of the IAM, the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, Maryland for the Symposium. By all accounts, it was the best ever!

IAM Canadian General Vice-President David Chartrand underscored the importance of political action, especially in light of the upcoming federal election in 2025. “Engaging our members is crucial because it affects our working lives. This means it affects our families and our home lives.”

Derek Ferguson, IAM Canadian GLR for Political Action, said, “80 IAM political activists from all over Canada gathered at the W3 where we developed and improved our communication strategies and member mobilization plans in the lead up to the 2025 federal election. Together we will make a difference!” Ferguson has held the Canadian Political Action portfolio for five years and has attend every single Symposium.

Facilitators Brent Farrington and Laurie Antonin, from the Canadian Labour Congress, led the two-day training and strategizing. They are also both members of IAM Local 3111CULR. See a short video of Laurie here.

Attendees broke up into mainly regional teams and each team designed their own campaign with members of each team responsible for a variety of functions. The teams designed complete campaigns and their various components – one team even made an Instagram video!

International President, Brian Bryant made a surprise visit to the Symposium to congratulate the Canadians on a successful 10th anniversary and the continuing expansion of their political action training and actions. Bryant also updated members on much of what is going on in the IAM. See a short video here

The first Canadian PAC was initiated by retired General Vice-President Dave Ritchie and then-Political Action Coordinator Gord Falconer in 2014. Gord retired as Chief-of-Staff in December 2023.

Many photos of the Symposium are available on our Flick site.

April 28, 2024 at
12:00 AM – 11:59 PM

April 28th is the labour movement’s most solemn day, but also one to refocus our commitment to preventing future workplace injuries and deaths. Every year, thousands of workers, friends and families of fallen workers gather at ceremonies across Canada to recognize the National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job.

This year, we will gather in communities across the country. As we mourn for the dead, the Canadian Labour Congress continues to fight for the living.

Find an event near you:

Newfoundland and Labrador

St. John’s & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
NL Confederation Bldg, 100 Prince Philip Drive, St. John’s, NL  A1B 4J6
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Patrick Dunne, 709 763-4091, SJDLC709NL@gmail.com

Corner Brook & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
Holy Redeemer Cathedral, 15 Mt. Bernard Ave, Corner Brook, NL  A2H 6K7
Will be also live-streamed by Fillatre’s Funeral Home, https://fillatre.ca/
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 2 p.m.
Contact: Jim O’Neill, 709 634-3695, jloneill@nf.sympatico.ca

Labrador West & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
5795 USW Union Hall, 105 Hudson Dr, Labrador City, NL  A2V 1L4
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Claude Gray, 709 944-1014, c_mgray@hotmail.com

Grand Falls Windsor Day of Mourning Committee
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
Grand Falls Windsor Forestry Workers Memorial, 78 Lincoln Rd, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL  A2A 1N2
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
Contact: David Hillier, 709 290-4907, davidhillier@gmail.com

Prince Edward Island

PEI Federation of Labour 
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Paul’s Anglican Church Hall, 101 Prince St, Charlottetown, PE  C1A 4R5
Contact: Carl Pursey, 902 626–7996

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Federation of Labour
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
Nova Scotia Legislature (Province House) outside grounds, 1726 Hollis St., Halifax, NS  B3J 2Y3
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 11 a.m.
Contact: Joan Wark, 902 454-6735, joan@nslabour.ca, http://NSLabour.ca

Annapolis Valley Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
Kentville Memorial Park — at Workers’ Memorial Stone Monument, Kentville, NS
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 3 p.m.
Contact: Janet Barteaux, avlcpresident@outlook.com

Cape Breton District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Laying Ceremony
Steelworkers and Pensioners’ Hall, 30 Inglis St., Sydney, NS  B1P 6R2
Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Contact: natasha.hogan.cbdlc@hotmail.com

New Brunswick

Bathurst & District Labour Council
The Bathurst Monument located at Bathurst Heritage Museum, 360 Douglas Ave, Bathurst, NB  E2A 4S6, across from Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Serge Plourde, 506 252-6331

Edmundston & District Labour Council
Park next to City Hall on the Canada road, Edmundston, NB  E3V 1T7.
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Lorn Martin, 506 737-7063

Fredericton & District Labour Council
Fredericton Fallen Firefighters’ Monument next to the Small Craft Aquatic Center along the south banks of the Wolastoq (Saint John River).
63 Brunswick St, Fredericton, NB  E3B 4Y7
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Tyler McCready, 506 999-2251

Miramichi & District Labour Council
The Miramichi Monument, River Front Park (Ledden Street) on the north shore of the Miramichi River, Miramichi, NB  E1V 2G1
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Ryley Hallihan, 506 625-2574

Moncton & District Labour Council
Cenotaph in Bore Park
11 Bendview Ct, Moncton NB  E1C 0H7
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
Contact: Melissa Brown, 506 872-4643

Saint John & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Monument, Frank & Ella Hatheway Labour Exhibit Centre at Rockwood Park.
55 Lake Drive South, Saint John, NB  E2K 5S3
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Shawn Wetmore, 506 693-9347

Restigouche & District Labour Council, NB
Start at the Dalhousie Lions Club where we will walk to Rotary Park, 2 min walk where there will be a service, after the service we will walk back to the Lions Hall where there will be coffee and tea available.
410 Adelaide St, Dalhousie, NB  E8C 1A7
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Brian Arsenault, 506 686-4050

Ontario

St. Catharines, Niagara Regional Labour Council 
At the monument dedicated to the Fallen Welland Canal Workers, located at Lock 3 on the Welland Canal Parkway – West side of the Canal, St. Catharines, ON
April 28, 2024 at 7:30 a.m.
Contact: nrlc.clc@gmail.com

St. Catharines, Niagara Regional Labour Council 
Under the St. Catharines Skyway. Located on the Welland Canal Parkway – West side of the Canal, under the bridge, St. Catharines, ON
April 28, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
Contact: nrlc.clc@gmail.com

St. Catharines, Niagara Regional Labour Council 
At the Monument located at St. Catharines City Hall, 50 Church St, ON  L2R 7C2
April 28, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Contact: nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Regional Labour Council 
At the monument located at the Centennial Arena, 1557 Four Mile Creek Road, Virgil, ON  L0S 1J0
April 28, 2024 at 9:15 a.m.
Contact: nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Niagara Falls, Niagara Regional Labour Council 
At the monument located at Niagara Falls City Hall
4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, ON  L2E 3N8
April 28, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
Contact: nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Port Robinson, Niagara Regional Labour Council 
In memory of Robyn Lafleur, Esquire Canada
Explosion site (1999) 125 South St. North, Thorold, ON  L0S 1K0
April 28, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Contact: nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Niagara Region, Niagara Regional Labour Council 
At the Monument located at the Niagara Region Headquarters, 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON  L2V 4T7
April 28, 2024 at 5:15 p.m.
Contact: nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Fort Erie, Niagara Regional Labour Council 
At the monument located at Forth Erie City Hall, 1 Municipal Centre Drive, along Highway 3, Fort Erie, ON  L2A 2S6
April 28, 2024 at 11:45 a.m.
Contact: nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Port Colborne, Niagara Regional Labour Council 
At the monument located at H.H. Knoll Park on Sugarloaf St., beside the hospital, Port Colborne, ON  L3K 2N7
April 28, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Welland, Niagara Regional Labour Council 
At the Welland Canal monument located beside the Canal in Merritt Park, 151 King St, Welland, ON
April 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Contact: nrlc.clc@gmail.com

Sudbury & District Labour Council 
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Laurentian University, Fraser Auditorium, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON  P3E 6H6. Free parking in Lot#1
April 28, 2024 from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Contact: Jessica Montgomery, president@sudburylabour.ca

Stratford & District Labour Council 
Day of mourning ceremony
Upper Queens Park, 55 Queen St, Stratford, ON  N5A 4M9
April 28, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
Contact: Patti-Jo Lindner, 519 276-2160

Peel Regional Labour Council 
Flower City Community Campus, Milestones of Labour Monument
8850 McLaughlin Rd S #1, Brampton, ON  L6Y 0C5
April 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Contact: Ram Selvarajah, President, president@prlc.ca
Website: https://peellabour.ca/

Grey-Bruce Labour Council 
Chesley Community Centre, 129 4th Ave SE, Chesley, ON  N0G 1L0
April 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Contact: Kevin Smith, President, GBLCpresident@live.ca

Waterloo Regional Labour Council 
Riverside Park, 49 King Street West, Cambridge, ON  N3H 1B5
April 28, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
Contact: Jeff Pelich, President, president@wrlc.ca
Website: https://waterloolabour.ca/

North Simcoe, Muskoka & District Labour Council 
Day of Mourning Ceremony
J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park, 450 Atherley Road, Orillia, ON  L3V 1P2
April 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Mike De Rose, president@nsmdlc.org

Kenora & District Labour Council 
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Lake of the Woods Cemetery, 750 9th St N, Kenora, ON  P9N 3H2
April 28, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
Contact: Cindy Hayward, Kenoralabourcouncil@gmail.com

Orangeville & District Labour Council 
Workers Monument at Orangeville Town Hall, 87 Broadway, Orangeville, ON  L9W 1K1
April 28, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Sania Wadalia, President, swadalia@hotmail.com
Website: https://www.orangevillelabour.ca/

Huron & District Labour Council 
Across from 181 Victoria Street North, Goderich, ON  N7A 1W7
April 23, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Jim Vance, 226 222-0157 or Drew Macaulay, drmacaulay@hotmail.com

Lindsay & District Labour Council 
Victoria Park, 190 Kent St. W., Lindsay, ON  K9V 2Y6
April 28, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Contact info: James Mulhern, oneworldonevoice@sympatico.ca

Guelph & District Labour Council 
Goldie Mill Park, 75 Cardigan St, Guelph, ON  N1H 3Z7
April 28, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: gdlabourcouncil@gmail.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Guelph-District-Labour-Council-1593522250974861

Hamilton & District Labour Council 
Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main St W, Hamilton, ON  L8P 4Y5
April 28, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Anthony Marco, President, amarco@rogers.com

Northumberland & District Labour Council 
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Lucas Point Park, 94 Willmott St., Cobourg, ON  K9A 0E9
April 28, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.
Contact: Dan Tobin, President, president@northumberlandlabour.ca
Website: https://northumberlandlabour.ca/events/

Sarnia & District Labour Council 
Day of Mourning Ceremony
East Street Fire Hall, 240 East Street N, Sarnia, ON  N7T 6X7
April 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Contact: sdlc57@outlook.com

Windsor & District Labour Council 
Day of Mourning Commemoration
Coventry Gardens, at the Injured Workers Monument, 4714 Riverside Drive East, Windsor, ON  N8Y 1B9
April 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Contact: antonella@greaterteachers.com  or 519 735-7158 ext. 223

Oakville & District Labour Council 
Oakville Centennial Square, 120 Navy Street, Oakville, ON  L6J 2Z4
April 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Mark Stupple, Financial Secretary, finsecodlc@gmail.com
Website: https://oakvillelabour.ca/events/dayofmourning2024/

Chatham-Kent Labour Council 
Memorial on Grand Ave, across from Giant Tiger Store, in Chatham, ON  N7L 1C5
April 28, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Contact: Linda Reaume, President, lreaume@hotmail.ca

Barrie & District Labour Council 
Flag raising followed by candlelight vigil
Barrie City Hall, 70 Collier Street, Barrie, ON  L4M 1G8
April 26, 2024 at 3:45 p.m.
Contact: barrielabourcouncil@gmail.com
Website: https://barrielabour.ca/

Thunder Bay & District Labour Council 
Day of Mourning Ceremony
First Wesley United Church, 130 Brodie St N, Thunder Bay, ON  P7C 3S3
April 28, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact: Sandra Snider, info@tbdlc.c

Durham Region Labour Council 
City of Oshawa – Day of Mourning Monument, 50 Centre St. S. Oshawa, ON  L1H 3Z7
April 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: durhamlc@durhamlabour.ca or 905 579-5188
Website: https://durhamlabour.ca/events/day-of-mourning-2024/

Cornwall & District Labour Council 
Lamoureux Park, 100 Water St E, Cornwall, ON  K6H 6G4
April 28, 2024 at 11:45 a.m.
Contact: Louise Lanctot, 613-932-1943

Lanark District Labour Council 
Tay River Basin adjacent to the Crystal Palace, 28 Drummond St E, Perth ON  K7H 1E9
April 28, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Ike Doornekamp, salemrdg@rideau.net

Lanark District Labour Council  
Smiths Falls (adjacent to Rideau Canal Museum), ON
April 28, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Ike Doornekamp, salemrdg@rideau.net

Ottawa & District Labour Council 
Vincent Massey Park, Heron Rd, Ottawa, ON  K1V 2E4
April 28, 2024 at 12:30 p.m.
Contact: Jennifer Moore, jennifr@ottawlabour.org
Website: https://Ottawalabour.labourcouncils.ca

Leeds & Grenville Labour Council 
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Brockville Museum, 5 Henry Street, Brockville, ON  K6V 6M4
April 28, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Tanya Crosbie, Labour Council President
Website: https://leedsgrenvillelabour.ca/

Manitoba

Brandon & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Gathering
Brandon City Hall, Foyer area, 410 – 9th St. Brandon MB  R7A 6A2
Light lunch to follow at the BDLC office 727C 10th St., Brandon MB  R7A 2S8
April 28, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.

Manitoba Federation of Labour
Day of Mourning Gathering
Union Centre, 275 Broadway, Winnipeg MB  R3C 4M6
April 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., Safe Workers of Tomorrow (SWOT) Leaders’ Walk starts 11:30 a.m., ceremony at Workers Memorial at noon
Contact: MFL.ca or https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaLabour

Thompson Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
USW Union Hall, 19 Elizabeth Dr. Thompson MB  R8N 1S7
April 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

Saskatchewan

Saskatoon & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Civic Square 222 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK  S7K 0J5
April 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Don McDonald, President, sdlc@sasktel.net

Regina & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Regina City Hall, 2476 Victoria Avenue, Regina SK  S4P 3C8
April 28, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Alternate indoor location: Regina Union Centre, 2709 12th Avenue, Regina SK S4T 1J3
Contact: Shobna Radons, President, shobna.radons@sasktel.net

Weyburn & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
T.C. Douglas Cavalry Centre, 400 – 10th Avenue, Weyburn, SK  S4H 2K4
April 28, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Wanda Bartlett, President, wbartlett@sasktel.net

Moose Jaw & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Moose Jaw Union Centre, 1402 Caribou St. W, Moose Jaw SK  S6H 7S9 Outside.  Bad weather inside main hall
April 28, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Contact: Deidre Wilson, President, mjdlcpresident@gmail.com

Alberta

Red Deer & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Bower Ponds Stage 4715 Fountain Dr, Red Deer, AB T4N 6W4
April 26, 2024, 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Contact: rddlc1@gmail.com

Wood Buffalo & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Howard Pew Memorial Park – Waterways, Tolen Drive, Fort McMurray, AB  T9H 3H1
April 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: omer.hussein@hsaa.ca

Calgary & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Ceremony
City of Calgary Workers Memorial, Edward Place Park, City Hall (SE corner), 9th Avenue and Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB  T2G 5E6
April 28, 2024, 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Contact: Alex Shevalier, President 403 819-4159
Website: https://www.thecdlc.ca

Edmonton & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Wreath Ceremony
Grant Notley Park 116 Street and 100 Avenue, Edmonton, AB  T5K 1W5
April 28, 2024, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Contact: Greg Mady, President 780 940-6797
Website: https://edmontonlabour.ca

British Columbia

East Kootenay District Labour Council
TBA

Fraser Valley Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Civic Plaza, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC  V2T 1X1. By the fountains outside the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.
April 26, 2024, 11:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Kamloops & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
St. Andrews on the Square, 159 Seymour Street, Kamloops, BC  V2C 2C6
April 28, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Lois Rugg, President, kdlcpresident@gmail.com
Website: https://kdlc.ca/

Nanaimo, Duncan & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event – in three locations:
1) Forest Workers Memorial Park – 46-58 S Shore Road, Lake Cowichan, BC  V0R 2G0
April 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
2) Pioneer Waterfront Plaza – 90 Front St, Nanaimo, BC  V9R 4S8 April 28, 2024 at 12:30 p.m.
3) Parksville Beach -193 Island Hwy E, Parksville, BC  V9P 2H5 April 28, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Jenn MacPherson, President, nddlc.labour@gmail.com

New Westminster District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event.
Westminster Pier Park, 1 – 6th Street New Westminster, BC  V3M 6Z6
April 28, 2024, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m
Contact: Janet Andrews, Secretary-Treasurer, admin@nwdlc.ca
Website: https://www.nwdlc.ca
Facebook: https://fb.me/e/52NYR4U8x

North Central Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Connaught Park – Workers’ Memorial Statue – 1112 Connaught Dr,( Corner Patricia Blvd and Queensway Ave), Prince George, BC  V2L 3X5
April 28, 2024, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Contact: Matt Baker, President, nclcboard@gmail.com
Website: https://www.northcentrallabour.ca/

North Okanagan Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Ben Lee Park , 900 Houghton Road Kelowna, BC  V1X 2C8
April 28, 2024, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Contact: NOLC, President, nolcpres@gmail.com
https://www.oklabour.org
https://www.facebook.com/groups/406757552682107

Prince Rupert Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Pacific Mariners Memorial Park (Mariners Park), 101 1st Avenue East, Prince Rupert, BC  V8J 3X4
April 28, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
Contact: Terri-Lynne Huddlestone, President, huddlestoneterrilynne@gmail.com

Squamish & District Labour Committee 
Day of Mourning Event
Junction Park (U Siyam Pavilion), 37950 Cleveland Ave, Downtown Squamish, BC  V8B 0S8
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Carl Walker, President, cwalker1265@gmail.com

Sunshine Coast Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event – in two locations:

1) Workers’ Memorial Plaque, Spirit Square, 5790 Teredo St. Sechelt, BC  V0N 3A0

2) Workers’ Memorial, Dougall Park, 339 Aldersprings Rd. Gibsons, BC  V0N 1V8

April 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Miyuki Shinkai, President, sclabourcouncil@gmail.com

Vancouver & District Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC  V6C 0C3
April 28, 2024, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Contact: Stephen von Sychowski, President, president@vdlc.ca
Co-Hosted by WCB, VDLC, BCFED, BCBT

West Kootenay Labour Council
Day of Mourning Event
Rotary Lakeside Park (worker memorial beside the soccer concession), 306 Elwyn St, Nelson, BC  V1L 6G4
April 28, 2024, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Contact: Mike van Hellemond, Treasurer, mike@ibew993.org
Website: https://westkootenaylabour.ca/

Yukon

Yukon Region, Yukon Federation of Labour
Day of Mourning Event
Yukon Workers’ Memorial in Shipyards Park, 100 Ogilvie Street, Whitehorse, YT,  Y1A 0G6. Live stream will also be available.
April 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Teresa Acheson, President,
yfl@yukonfed.com
Website: https://yukonfed.com/events/dom2024/

SOURCE: Canadian Labour Congress

A recent report on the status of women by the World Bank revealed a concerning, but not an entirely surprising trend; the global gender gap is greater than was previously thought. The report reveals that no country in the world has achieved gender equality, at least in terms of providing the same opportunities for women as are available to men.

The sobering results come out of a study that examined the impact of childcare and safety policies, or lack thereof, on women’s participation in the labour market in 190 countries. When accounting for these two types of policies, results showed that women were further behind than previously thought. On average, women enjoyed just 64% of the legal protections men do, down from the previous estimate of 77%.

Labour Participation- Roadblocks

Countries that have policies on childcare and safety implemented only 40% of systems to fully enact either policy. This means that despite well intentioned policies, political clout and willingness simply weren’t there to implement the policies fully. Both policies have shown to eliminate obstacles to women’s participation in the labour force.  It goes to show that not only do governments need to develop policies, but that those policies need to go hand in hand with robust implementation systems in order for those policies to have an impact on the lives of women.

Pensions- Women More Likely to Live in Poverty After Retirement

The report also highlighted another area where women tend to fall behind; pensions. This is an important issue, given that women pensioners are more likely to live in poverty than their male counterparts. In 81 countries, a woman’s pension benefits do not account for periods of work absences related to childcare, which in turn impacts her retirement income.

Sexual Harassment- Broadening the Scope of Legislation

Sexual harassment has received significant attention recently, although, it’s been a rallying issue for women’s movements since the 1960s. 151 countries developed laws prohibiting sexual harassment in the workplace, but only a fraction had laws prohibiting sexual harassment in public areas and public transport. Legislation has also to catch up with new developments like cyberharassment on various digital platforms where women often are targets of violent threats and hate speech. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/brampton-councillors-women-harassment-violence-epidemic-women-s-day-1.7131257

The Chief Economist of the World Bank indicated that, “discriminatory laws and practices prevent women from working or starting businesses on an equal footing with men. Closing this gap could raise global gross domestic product by more than 20% – essentially doubling the global growth rate over the next decade – but reforms have slowed to a crawl.”

There are many reasons as to why trends in global gender gaps are consistently increasing, but we cannot underestimate the impact of conservative governments who have defunded social and public services, targeting not only access but wages of public sector workers who are predominantly female. Over the last few years, we’ve seen rollbacks in women’s rights throughout the world, both in terms of constitutionally protected rights, but also rollbacks on policies that help women enter the workforce, and access well paid jobs.

What is the Gender Gap?

The gender gap is the difference between men and women as reflected in their participation in political, social, economic, intellectual, and cultural attainments. The gap is also studied by analysing outcomes in four areas, health, education, economics and politics.

A Look Ahead

While the study findings are bleak, there are strides towards equality being made. EU member states have adopted EU-wide rules on the criminalization of certain forms of gender-based violence and better access to justice, protection and prevention. Some African countries have some of the best childcare and safety policies in the world that can serve as templates for other countries. International solidarity is essential when the issue is global.

However, none of these changes are possible without efforts of activists, allies and organized labour, inside our workplaces and communities.

This International Women’s Day, let’s not forget how far we’ve come and celebrate hard-won victories. Let’s also tap into the courage and wisdom of those who came before us and continue the hard work of achieving a more just world for us all. Let’s keep the hope and determination alive that a different kind of world is possible.