Upcoming election most important in 'decades' for struggling workers, labour campaign says

"Rent? Utilities? Gas? Not on this paycheque," read a sign at a Canadian Labour Congress press conference Monday, launching the organization's new platform advocating for the working class.

Slogans like that one illustrate what president Bea Bruske calls an "economic crisis," and the the Labour Congress wants federal election candidates to take note.

"All elections are important, we know this," Bruske said in a speech Monday morning at the Delta Hotel in St. John's. "But this one, I think, is the most significant we've had in many decades."

"This election comes at a pivotal time for Canadian workers, and the choices that we make at the ballot box this year is going to decide the fate of our economy," Bruske continued. 

Bruske said Canadian unions want the next prime minister to have a plan to support workers, and the Labour Congress has a specific wish list:

• A "worker-first" response to tariff threats.

• Tackling cost of living.

• Strengthening public health care.

• Addressing the housing crisis by building one million affordable homes.

• Supporting workers and their families.

Workers' issues at the fore

As tariff threats continue to haunt the Canadian economy, workers are taking the hit, according to Bruske. 

"You need workers to keep our economy growing and strong. However, [the candidates] all have different policies in terms of how they would implement various different changes, and not all of them actually benefit workers," Bruske told reporters.

Some of the changes Bruske said workers would like to see include using money from counter-tariffs to offset the impact on workers in affected industries, and making sure Canadians can put food on the table and pay the rent by creating sustainable jobs.

Craig Dyer, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in St. John's, witnessed firsthand the struggle. In November, over 50,000 Canada Post workers walked off the job in a strike, but were ordered back to work in December.

"We are at a pinnacle as we speak right now, locally, regionally, and nationally and globally," Dyer said in a speech. "We need strong leadership in Ottawa that are going to make decisions to help the working class, the unionized workers, that will benefit everybody."

Dyer said now is the time for voters to challenge candidates on the issues that most affect workers' rights. 

Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour president Jessica McCormick said about 20,000 jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador may be affected by Trump's tariffs. With that in mind, she said federal candidates are very aware of growing concerns.

"Workers' issues are really at the forefront of the party agenda," McCormick said at the event. "I'm really looking at what are the track records of those parties when it comes to the key issues."

While Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre make promises to cut income taxes for the average worker, McCormick said she is more interested in plans for affordable housing and reducing cost of living. 

"When I talk to our members … it's about trying to make end meet," she said.

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