Unifor, the United Steelworkers and CUPE, united as the Canadian Telecommunications Workers’ Alliance (CTWA), jointly presented to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) on Thursday, April 30.

Unifor Telecommunications Director Roch LeBlanc delivered opening remarks for the Alliance, alongside Natalie Blais, CUPE Research Representative and Corey Mandryk, Lead Organizer, United Steelworkers National Local 1944.

The CTWA is an alliance of three of the largest unions in Canada, representing more than 32,000 workers in the telecommunications sector, including those at Bell, Rogers, and TELUS.

In his opening remarks, LeBlanc raised the alarm about how new AI technology is being used for misleading purposes in the telecommunications sector, including at one company where it is being used to mask the accents of overseas call centre workers.

“You can’t have a conversation about AI without it leading to, ‘yeah but it’s going to take away my job.’ A proper AI framework from the government and the accompanying regulations, is important to adopt quickly,” said Mandryk at the meeting. “Canadians are worried about AI adoption and AI replacing their work.”

For more than 100 years in Canada, telecom workers have adapted and embraced new technology on the job.

While AI can provide new opportunities, the CTWA has first-hand experience with Canadian telecom companies adopting new technologies with the express purpose of cutting the Canadian workforce, even to the detriment of customer service and service delivery.

“Automation and offshoring of work have led to the loss of more than 20 thousand telecom jobs in the past 10 to 15 years, and AI is now intensifying this trend steadily with exit package offerings every year,” said LeBlanc.

The CTWA called on government to establish a national AI framework that protects the privacy, data and rights of customers and workers, as well as protecting good Canadians jobs.

“If we don’t consider the voices of workers and the public, then we may lose track of personal data. There are risks connected to our data being run through AI systems, most of which are being operated from south of the border,” said Blais. “As well, if the adoption of AI does lead to increased job loss, then is our EI system ready? All the government focus on AI is on science and commercial development, rather than on social development.”

To this end, the CTWA recommends the federal government establish a permanent tripartite working group on AI – including employers, labour, and civil society to continue to build on this framework, protecting Canadians’ privacy, sovereignty and jobs during this time of rapid technological change.

To see the latest from the CTWA, visit ctwa-actt.ca

Thousands of workers, including strong participation from Unifor members, took to the streets of Montreal on May 2, 2026, alongside other unions, community groups and student organizations under the banner “Rights trampled. We must resist,” marking International Workers’ Day and pushing back against attacks on workers’ rights.

This year, the main Montreal May Day demonstration was held on May 2 to allow broader participation and the response was clear: workers are mobilized and ready to stand together.

Participants denounced measures by the Quebec government that undermine workers’ rights, as well as cuts to public services, privatization and the rising cost of living that continues to put pressure on working families.

“When governments attack workers’ rights and weaken public services, people respond,” said Daniel Cloutier, Unifor Quebec director. “What we saw in Montreal is a strong and united message: workers, community groups and student movements are standing together to defend our rights and build a fairer future.”

International Workers’ Day is rooted in the historic struggle for fair working conditions and continues to serve as a moment to reaffirm the importance of collective action in defending workers’ rights.

“May Day is about our history, but it’s also about our future,” added Cloutier. “We will continue to organize, mobilize and fight for good jobs, strong public services and respect for all workers.”