Get Real! It’s the Economy

Get Real! It's the Economy

Canadians have been hit hard by the economic crisis.
We are losing thousands of jobs and our pensions are taking a beating.

Government must find solutions that help everybody, not just the banks and corporations that got us into this mess. Working people and their unions are going to be part of the solution as Canadians rebuild their lives and communities.

The Canadian Labour Congress has a plan to stimulate the economy and to create and protect jobs, pensions and public services.

Tell your MP that the government must find solutions that help everybody, not just the banks and corporations that got us into this mess. Working people must be a part of the solution.

What you can do:

  • LEARN MORE ON THE ISSUE – Infrastructure & procurement; Employment Insurance & training; Manufacturing, mining & forestry jobs; Pension protection; Improving our public services
  • CALL YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
  • SEND THE PRIME MINISTER A MESSAGE
  • CONTACT YOUR UNION LOCAL & LABOUR COUNCIL to find out how you can help with their campaign to make the next federal budget work for us.

    LABOUR’S SOLUTIONS

    The Canadian Labour Congress has a plan to stimulate the economy and to create and protect jobs, pensions and public services. The federal government must:

  • Increase Employment Insurance benefits. Workers have paid billions into EI but benefits have been drastically reduced. The EI fund is running a huge surplus and it should be used to improve access to benefits for unemployed workers.
  • Ensure that laid-off workers have access to training and adjustment programs.
  • Launch a major public investment program to create good jobs in infrastructure, manufacturing and public services, and link this program to a Made-in-Canada procurement policy. Ensure that government contracts promote a strong public sector, unionization and inclusion of women and workers of colour in good jobs.
  • Provide a pension guarantee fund for workers’ pensions. Even the United States has one. Phase in increases to the Canada and Quebec pension plans and immediately raise Old Age Security to protect retirees and reduce reliance on private pensions and RRSPs.
  • Invest directly in sector renewal strategies designed to save jobs and promote successful restructuring in hard-hit industries such as auto and forest products. Pursue strategies to support cultural industries, energy efficiency, renewable energy and other promising sectors.
  • Maintain equalization and other transfers to provinces and cities for public infrastructure, public services and social programs.