Tag Archives: Union
IAMAW Canada – Better Than Ever – 10th anniversary for Canadian Political Action Symposium
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.
IAMAW Canada – Day of Mourning Ceremonies 2024
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
IAMAW Canada – Living Wages: Narrowing Wealth Inequality
ILO Reaches Agreement on Living Wages
The International Labour Organization, an agency of the United Nations with a mandate to promote decent work around the world by setting international labour standards, reached a milestone agreement on living wages.
Experts who studied living wages as a policy tool, agreed that living wages are essential for social and economic justice and equity. Living wages also play a role in reducing poverty and inequality, both of which are becoming social problems of our time. By some accounts the gap between the wealthiest and poorest Canadians is growing at record speed. Research by StatsCan shows that the top 20% of earners in Canada held 68 % of the country’s net worth in the first quarter, compared with the bottom 40% holding 2.7 %. (LINK)
The ILO emphasized that living wages should be set by, “…strengthening social dialogue and collective bargaining and empowering wage-setting institutions. The document also recalls that, “the needs of workers and their families and economic factors are the two pillars of wage-setting processes”. This means that policymakers ought to develop policies that take into account hardships and daily realities of working people, as well as, economic factors. Despite calls on governments to address the needs of workers, many workers continue to struggle to meet their needs. Wages are endemically low compared to the cost of living, and many families are unable to afford healthy food, decent housing, medical care or schooling for their children.
In Canada alone, usage of food banks has grown at unprecedented levels, by 78% since March 2019. Food insecurity, defined by not having access to sufficient food, or food of adequate quality, is now being driven by inflation and the high cost of living. What has also changed among food bank users is that 20% have jobs, but don’t earn enough to make ends meet.
What Are Living Wages?
A living wage covers basic expenses and allows a worker to fully participate in their community. Living wages provide workers with a decent living, enable them to participate in their community and meet their needs without reliance on government assistance. Living Wage Canada tracks regional economic changes and adjusts regional living wages; for more information, you can visit this website https://www.livingwage.ca/
Minimum wages, on the other hand, prevent employers from paying workers any lower than the minimum. They are often set by legislation, making it illegal to pay workers below the minimum.
As making ends meet on a minimum wage is next to impossible for majority of Canadians, promotion of living wages at the international level is groundbreaking. The ILO’s support provides another policy tool for governments to use in addressing the alarming wealth gap.
