OTTAWA— Unifor is calling on Parliament to prioritize measures to address the affordability crisis, develop new industrial strategies to build the economy and accelerate anti-scab legislation and long overdue Employment Insurance reforms.

“MPs have an opportunity in this Parliament to work towards the advancement of working people in Canada, those hit hardest by the affordability and housing crises, an economy that is restructuring toward net zero and rising income and wealth inequality,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “This year is a time for elected officials to help pull Canadians through a difficult period and build an economy with good jobs for everyone.”

In the new session of Parliament, the union expects government to take action on a range of issues affecting workers, captured in its submission to the Parliamentary Committee on Finance Consultation on the 2024 Federal Budget. Read the full submission here.

The union is also calling on government to prioritize:

• Canada’s affordability crisis, including housing, reigning in rising food and fuel costs, and holding profiteering corporations to account;
• The use of industrial strategies that target investment attraction, skills training and job growth in strategic economic sectors, including in the automotive and EV supply chain, but also in aerospace, forestry, energy, rail and transit, among others.
• Long-promised Employment Insurance program reforms that improve access for workers and enhance benefits; and to
• Accelerate the timing for strong, anti-scab legislation along with other outstanding labour standard improvements, including equal pay rules.

“Spending cuts and austerity championed by some politicians won’t help Canadians through these difficult times. Our union will continue to demand an economy that works for everyone and for the federal government to play a positive role in helping to build one,” Payne said.