Canada’s unions take concerns over AI and labour rights to global stage

Canada’s unions support stronger action on forced labour, reject Trump’s tariff pretext

June 15, 2026 at 7:59 am  Labour

OTTAWA – Canada’s unions support stronger measures to keep goods produced with forced labour out of Canada, but reject attempts to use workers’ rights as a pretext for a trade war.

“Forced labour is a fundamental violation of workers’ rights,” said Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Workers in Canada should not be forced to compete against exploitation, and workers anywhere in the world should not be subjected to forced labour so corporations can increase their profits.”

The Canadian Labour Congress supports measures to strengthen enforcement against forced labour imports in Bill C-35. However, stronger enforcement of an import ban alone is not enough. Canada also needs mandatory human rights due diligence requirements, meaningful penalties for corporations that profit from forced labour, and real remedies for workers harmed by abuse in global supply chains.

Bruske said Canada should strengthen its laws because it is the right thing to do for workers, not because Donald Trump is looking for a new excuse to attack Canadian jobs and industries through trade and tariffs. She added that workers know the difference between a genuine commitment to labour rights and a trade strategy dressed up as one.

“Workers deserve more than a response designed to avoid Donald Trump’s latest trade and tariff threats,” said Bruske. “Canada should use this moment to build a real forced labour regime that tackles exploitation and holds corporations accountable.”

-30-

To arrange an interview, please contact: 
CLC Media Relations 
[email protected] 
613-526-7426 

View Link to Original Source

No conversations yet

Activity Stream

Thu, Jun 11, 2026 at 10:44 pm - Transition Kamloops posted on their blog: New action team offering webinar on urban trees
Thu, Jun 11, 2026 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Connected crises contain opportunities for a better world
Wed, Jun 10, 2026 at 2:06 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: QFS CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH – The Kamloops Film Society
Mon, Jun 8, 2026 at 12:48 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: $5 Admission Movie Madness – The Kamloops Film Society
Thu, Jun 4, 2026 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Protected area targets face potential pitfalls
Mon, Jun 1, 2026 at 8:53 am - Transition Kamloops posted on their blog: Have your say on new AI datacentre proposal
Sun, May 31, 2026 at 11:27 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: Sunday Classics | Dad Cinema – The Kamloops Film Society
Sat, May 30, 2026 at 10:37 pm - Transition Kamloops posted on their blog: Data Centres: What do we really know? What do we need to know?
Thu, May 28, 2026 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: National security means halting and reversing nature loss
Wed, May 27, 2026 at 1:56 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: Lucid, followed by post-film Q&A – The Kamloops Film Society
Full Stream

Upcoming Events

Ivan Decker: Million Dollar Comedy Tour
Saturday Jun 13
All Events