Last Friday, a wave of angry workers gathered in protest in front of the Plaza Centre-Ville in Montreal, where the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM) was hosting an event in the presence of the Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet. Boulet was set to speak on a range of economic issues, but when confronted with the protest by unionized workers, he decided to withdraw and cancel his speech.

Bill 89, which seeks to limit the duration of strikes and lockouts, constitutes an unprecedented attack on union rights in Quebec. By restricting workers’ bargaining power, this legislation could severely disrupt the balance of labour relations and weaken unions’ ability to protect their members.

Attempt by the government to pass legislation under the radar

At a time when Quebecers are worried about escalating trade tensions between Canada and the United States, the Legault government is quietly trying to impose major changes that threaten union gains. But this attempt to ram through the bill is fooling no one. Quebec workers have always defended their rights with determination, and they will not stand by and let this legislation erode their bargaining power.

Unjustified police response ratchets up the tension

Despite what was a peaceful protest, the police used pepper spray against the demonstrators, ratcheting up the tension at the event. Rather than listen to the workers’ legitimate demands, the government chose repression. This use of force against citizens defending their rights is unacceptable, and illustrates the government’s contempt for the people who drive our economy.

A mobilization that advances our agenda, but the fight continues

The cancellation of Minister Boulet’s participation in this event is a first victory and proves that mobilization works. But the battle is far from over. We must keep up the pressure on the government to force it to withdraw this unacceptable bill.

“This government is trying to silence the voice of workers, but we’re responding with determination: we will not back down,” said Daniel Cloutier, Unifor’s Quebec director. “This victory is just the beginning, and we won’t rest until Bill 89 is completely withdrawn.”

A first step

The workers of Quebec have sent a strong message: they will not give up hard-won gains without a fight. Unifor and the entire labour movement remain mobilized and ready to step up the pressure. If the government thinks it can pass this law on the sly, it is sorely mistaken. This is just the first salvo in the union’s response.

Following Hudson’s Bay Company’s (HBC) announcement that it will liquidate its retail operations, Unifor is calling on the company to uphold its legal obligations to workers as priority number one and provide clear communication about the future of the announced liquidation.

“HBC must act in good faith by ensuring workers receive the wages, benefits, and severance they are entitled to under their collective agreements,” says Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Workers’ livelihoods are on the line—they’re rightfully concerned and deserve full transparency from HBC.”

Unifor Locals 40 and 240 represent approximately 320 HBC employees at stores in Windsor, Kitchener, and Toronto’s Sherway Gardens, as well as workers at the company’s e-commerce warehouse.

The union has been in discussions with HBC and is pressing the company for transparency regarding store closures, layoffs, and severance protections. Additionally, Unifor is calling for worker supports to be prioritized and increased within the creditors’ protection and bankruptcy processes, ensuring employees are not left behind as financial decisions are made.

Unifor will continue to advocate for members and ensure the company upholds its legal obligations to workers.

“Our members have been the backbone of HBC for decades,” added Payne. “Workers have shown dedication to this company, and now it’s HBC’s turn to show the same commitment by treating employees fairly and honouring its legal obligations.”

Unifor is continuing membership meetings with affected employees to address concerns and inform workers of their rights under their collective agreements and labour law.

Unifor encourages all workers to stay informed and reach out to their union for support.

On March 21, Unifor marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a day rooted in the tragic events of the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, when South African police opened fire on peaceful anti-apartheid demonstrators, killing 69 people.

This internationally-recognized day serves as a solemn reminder of the ongoing fight against racism all over the world and the need for collective action to build a more just and equitable society.

Unity in uncertain times

As we reflect on this day, Canada faces growing economic uncertainty driven by economic and political decisions by the government of the United States. With a trade war escalating and unjust policies threatening Canadian industries, workers across the country are feeling the strain. In times like these, racial division and discrimination only weaken workers’ ability to stand together and fight for fundamental workplace rights and economic security.

Racism is not just a social injustice—it is a tool used to divide workers, suppress wages, and erode union and worker power.

Now more than ever, Canadians must reject division and stand united to protect our jobs, industries, and communities. Unifor remains steadfast in our commitment to racial and economic justice, ensuring that no worker is left behind.

Unifor’s commitment to racial justice

Unifor is taking on-going and meaningful action to combat racial discrimination in workplaces and communities. The union reaffirms its ongoing comitment to ending racial discrimination through the following initiatives:

• Local and regional BIWOC committees—Supporting Black, Indigenous, and Workers of Colour by fostering community,  democratic engagement and advocacy within Unifor locals, their communities, and regions.
• Racial Justice Advocates—Unifor negotiates with employers to have dedicated workplace union leaders who offer support to racialized workers, address racial discrimination, and promote equity.
• Unifor education programs—Providing training and workshops on anti-racism, allyship, inclusive leadership, and more.
• Social Justice Fund initiatives—Unifor’s Social Justice Fund supports grassroots organizations and initiatives that fight racism, defend human rights, and promote equity in Canada and globally.
• Unifor Local Union Equity Fund—Provides financial support to Unifor locals for initiatives that promote equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in workplaces and communities.

Unifor’s call to action

The fight against racism is inseparable from the fight for economic and social justice.

On this day, Unifor calls on all members to challenge racism in their workplaces, their communities, and within the union. Members are also encouraged to participate in March 21 events in their communities.

Let us stand together—not just on March 21, but every day—in pursuit of a more just and equitable Canada for all.

A monthly review of labour market insights.

Mr. Bibic,
The threat of U.S.-imposed tariffs on Canadian goods is cause for great concern, as you will no doubt agree. Unjustified tariffs, of the magnitude the U.S. President is proposing, will upend the North American economy – hurting workers, businesses, and consumers on both sides of the border. The waging of “economic warfare” on Canada, emboldened by a stated desire (whether serious or not) to annex Canada, presents an existential crisis for this country. Canadians, across all civil society, are standing up to the threat, as they must. As the country collectively copes with this economic crisis and open threat to our sovereignty the work of Canadians in telecommunications, media and journalism has never been so important.
Bell Canada, and its 20,000 Unifor-represented employees working in telecommunications and media divisions, are not immune from this threat or the consequences of a trade war. The real possibility of an economic downturn caused by tariffs will hurt the entire Canadian economy, as well as raise concerns for firms – like Bell – with investments in significant U.S. assets (e.g. Ziply). Further, U.S. officials have, for many years, issued complaints over Canadian telecommunications and media policies and regulations, deeming them (albeit incorrectly) non-tariff barriers. This includes Canada’s existing foreign ownership rules (meant to preserve domestic ownership over strategic telecommunications resources) and the digital services tax (meant to rebalance tax treatment of large, multinational digital service providers), among others.
The U.S. has also raised complaints with Canadian-content rules, and Canadian television market protections –which, along with French language and Quebec content, are vital to keeping Canadian control of our national broadcast and telecommunications landscape.  We anticipate these, and other important policies and regulations, will be unfairly targeted by proposed “reciprocity” measures announced by the U.S. President just days ago.
Mr. Bibic, these U.S. tariffs and U.S. trade actions pose real danger to Canada, its communications industry, and the workers who build, service and maintain it. As such I am requesting a meeting with you, and all relevant Bell Canada officials, to provide our union a comprehensive assessment of this threat across company operations that affect our members.
Further, and as a part of this dialogue, I would ask that you share with us Bell Canada’s plans to mitigate the economic threat and protect jobs in Canada, as well any contingency plans to cope with tariff threats. I would also like to know what possibilities Bell Canada sees to potentially grow its business, including through rural and remote broadband infrastructure expansion.
It is important that our union understand these plans and have an opportunity to raise questions, so that we can ensure Unifor members are supported in this time of crisis.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to speaking with you as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Lana Payne
National President