policy resolutions

As a fully democratic and participatory union, the Confederation of Canadian Unions is proud to present policy resolutions passed at its conventions, going all the way back to 1969.

Resolutions can be submitted by an affiliated union, Regional Council or the Executive Board, and are debated at convention and passed by a democratic vote. These resolutions highlight the CCU’s commitment to progressive change and the values of social justice, democracy and equality.

Download CCU Policy Resolutions

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 ABORIGINAL ISSUES

1. Native People (1970)
The CCU calls for the replacement of the discriminatory Indian Act with a bill of Rights for all Native People. This bill would include equality in job opportunities, with severe penalties for employers refusing to employ Native People purely on the basis of their origin, equal rights with all Canadians and protection of all treaty rights.

2. Development of North western BC (1975)
The CCU demands that any studies already completed be made public immediately and that any studies presently under way be released to the public immediately upon completion. The CCU demands full participation by Northwest residents in all future studies and that any large scale development plans not commence without full participation and agreement of northern residents. The CCU insists that no development take place in any area of the Northwest under dispute by the Indian Nations of the Northwest until the aboriginal rights under dispute are settled.

3. Native People Rights (1991)
The CCU supports Native Peoples in the struggle to achieve prompt and meaningful negotiations on outstanding land claims disputes. The CCU supports the struggle to have their concerns on aboriginal rights, treaty rights and human rights recognized and negotiated in the constitutional amending process. The CCU pledges to continue to build solidarity with Native Peoples organizations so as to encourage a mutually better understanding of the issues facing both Native People and workers in Canada.

4. CCU Discussion with Indigenous Peoples (1991)
The CCU encourages its affiliates to enter into talks with the Indigenous Peoples within their jurisdiction and/or area, with the purpose of having better understanding between the CCU and Indigenous Peoples.

5. Aboriginal Peoples (1993)
The CCU supports Indigenous Peoples in their struggles as described by the four themes outlines by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, as follows:
1) a new relationship between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal People;
2) self-determination;
3) self-sufficiency;
4) healing

6. Low Level Flights over Québec and Labrador (1995)
The CCU stands in solidarity with the Innu of Labrador and Québec in condemning the cabinet approval of the Federal Environment Assessment Review Panel regarding increased low-level military flight training over Innu land. The CCU joins the call to the Environment Minister and the Defence Minister to reject the recommendations of the Panel for an increase in flights, to stop low-level military training over Innu land immediately, and at the very minimum, to call a moratorium on low-level military flight training until a fair land deal process can be established and completed. The CCU officially endorses the International Campaign for the Innu and the Earth, and participates in lobbying, educational and mobilizing activities to put an immediate stop to low-level military flight training and other human rights abuses on Innu land.

7. Land Claims Disputes (2015)
The CCU/CSC stands in solidarity with the indigenous peoples of Canada and will encourage the government, through lobbying, to settle long outsta
nding treaties including holding meaningful negotiations on outstanding land claims disputes.

8. Acknowledgment of Aboriginal Land (2017)
At the commencement of every CCU meeting, we acknowledge the aboriginal land where we are meeting on:

We (I) will begin this event (Name the Event) by acknowledging that we are meeting on aboriginal land that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning. We’re grateful for the opportunity to meet here and we thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land – for thousands of years.

Long before today, as we gather here, there have been aboriginal peoples who have been the stewards of this place. In particular, we acknowledge (identify the appropriate territory).
We recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place. We also recognize the contributions of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples (status and non-status) have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and our province and country as a whole.

This recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous peoples must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to make the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities, and in particular to bring justice for murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls across our country.

9. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (2017)
The CCU/CSC will stand in solidarity with Indigenous women, girls and their communities, both as the inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) is underway, and beyond, to help ensure our country truly addresses the root causes of violence against Indigenous women.
The CCU/CSC will also continue to urge the government to implement strategies that include clean water, affordable housing, accessible education and poverty reduction in Inuit, First Nations, and Métis communities.

10. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Enquiry (2019)
The CCU/CSC stands in solidarity with Indigenous peoples of Canada and will
encourage the government to continue its enquiry into the Missing and Murdered
Indigenous Women and Girls. This enquiry has been less than satisfactory, lacking sufficient interaction, transparency, and concrete support. We encourage the Canadian government to continue its research and enquiry, and to improve its legal framework, regulations that do not protect Indigenous women who are subject to the conditions of colonialism, social marginalization and violence.

11. Every Child Matters (2021)
The CCU/CSC stands in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples of Canada and demand the government continue the inquiry into the unmarked graves of children from the residential schools throughout Canada, including the Territories. To date the government has been insufficient in its interaction, transparency and concrete support in finding the unmarked graves and bringing closure to those communities affected. We demand the government of Canada to refer to the TRC Volume 4, 2015, regarding the Missing Children and Unmarked Burials from Canada’s Residential Schools. We demand the Canadian government to continue to search and find all missing children, improve the framework, and regulations that did not protect these missing children who were subject to conditions of colonialism, social marginalization and violence.

12. Aboriginal Policies (2021)
The CCU/CSC stands in solidarity with the Indigenous Peoples of Canada and demand the government, through lobbying, to support Indigenous struggles, access to clean drinking water, equity in education funding, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, especially Calls to Action 71-76, asking the federal government to accurately detail the number of children who died in the Indian Residential School System, to establish a National Residential School Student Death Register, and to locate the bodies of children who died so that they can be properly memorialized.

We at the CCU/CSC call on everyone to review the Truth and Reconciliation findings and the 94 calls to action, continue to work toward reconciliation, and take steps in supporting Indigenous lives.

2 ECONOMY/INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

1. Taxation (1969)
The CCU urges the federal government to implement the Carter Report in its main principles, especially:
1) finding new sources of funds by eliminating tax concessions to mining, oil and life insurance corporations;
2) taxing all capital gains as income;
3) greatly reducing taxes on those of lower incomes, higher family tax exemptions and tax credits;
4) allowing deductibility for tax purposes of expenses necessary to earning a living such as tools, transportation, child care, household expenses, etc.

2. Prices (1970)
The CCU urges the government to enact legislation requiring companies, professions, and services to appear before a public board to negotiate any increases in prices or fees.

3. The Economy (1970)
The CCU condemns the actions of the Trudeau government against Canadian working people by implementing wage guidelines. The CCU rejects all wage restraints, denounces the revaluation of the Canadian dollar, and all other policies designed to “fight inflation” by increasing the critical level of unemployment in Canada.

4. Welfare for millionaires (1971)
The CCU condemns the practice of hand-outs to private industry, especially foreign-owned, and demands that any concessions made in either taxation or funds be only to those industries owned and controlled by the people of Canada.

5. Unemployment – Economics Crisis (1971)
The CCU urges the federal government to oblige financial institutions to make available the capital necessary for the development of our resources and to find employment for our citizens and that the government be urged to plan the financial and other resources necessary in the nation to provide a vast housing program. The CCU condemns the continuous attempt of government spokesmen to lay the blame for inflation and unemployment on the backs of the working people and calls for the immediate dismissal of John Young, head of the Prices and Incomes Commission, and of Louis Rasminsky, head of the Bank of Canada.

6. Control of the Economy (1971)
The CCU calls for the Canada Development Corporation to be made a 100% government-owned institution that will ensure natural resources and industrial production are used for the development of the Canadian economy; that particularly oil, gas, power resources be placed under Canadian control; that foreign control of any industry be eliminated and that the economy be planned under Canadian ownership.

7. Manufactured Goods Bought Through Public Taxes (1975)
The CCU urges governments to ensure that public institutions are supplied with goods manufactured in Canada wherever possible.

8. Construction Industry (1975)
The CCU demands legislation be enacted to prevent developers from setting up separate companies for each project, so that the principals are responsible for the projects in which they are involved, and that developers who have a record of bankruptcies in companies in which they are principal officers be excluded from government subsidies and access to government mortgage funds.

9. Secondary Industry and Housing (1975)
The CCU demands the federal government formulate a consistent policy for the development of secondary industry for Canada including the introduction of strong export tariffs on unfinished raw materials. The CCU demands that the federal government begin immediately a program of federally funded housing construction to alleviate the desperate shortage of adequate housing and help reduce the level of unemployment.

10. Housing (1975)
The CCU demands that the federal and provincial governments develop a housing program that will bring the cost of housing within the range of the working people of Canada. The CCU demands that various government agencies immediately establish a massive system of land banks designed to remove the control of the amount of serviced land available to the housing market form the hands of private developers and speculators. The CCU demands that government requires banks and financial institutions in Canada put a portion of the resources into 6% mortgage funds to finance low cost housing. The CCU demands that the government allow working people to deduct form their income tax the interest which they pay on their home mortgage.

11. Economic Policy for Canada (1975)
The CCU urges the federal government to formulate and implement immediately an economic policy that will lead to full employment and easing of dependence of the Canadian economy upon that of the United States by proper development and use of Canada’s resources.

12. Wage Freeze (1975)
The CCU strongly opposes any form of wage freeze policy.

13. Wage Controls (1977)
The CCU reaffirms its position on wage controls; that is, that a general strike or other direct action is the only effective method of removing such iniquitous legislation.

14. Taxes (1977)
The CCU calls for the drastic reduction of all income taxes from those Canadians earning less than fifteen thousand dollars per year.

15. Wage Controls (1977)
The CCU calls on the federal government to immediately abolish its wage and price control legislation.

16. Public Ownership (1977)
The CCU declares that the only solution to regaining control of our economy and also Canadian independence is to immediately begin a process of public ownership of the basic industries of our country, beginning with natural resources, and in particular the oil industry, and steadily taking over auto, steel and the other basic industries of Canada.

17. Canadian Textile Industry (1979)
The CCU urges the new federal government administration to set quotas on imports of textile goods into Canada, whereby 70% of the textile products bought in this country would be Canadian made, and to institute firm control over prices of textile goods so that Canadian manufactures would not be free to take unfair advantage of the consumer public because of the quotas.

18. Interest Rates (1981)
The CCU calls on the federal government to drastically reduce interest rates and specifically set the rate for mortgages for housing and other social amenities at six per cent.

19. Strategy for the Self-reliant Development of the Textile and Clothing Industries of Canada (1981)
The CCU, in cooperation with the CSN, will lobby the federal government and will conduct a public campaign in favour of a strategy for the self-reliant development of the textile and clothing industries of Canada. The main elements of this strategy are as follows:
a) that the federal government establish mandatory global quotas, ensuring 80% of Canada’s textile and clothing purchases for Canadian-made goods;
b) that to protect the consumer, the federal government exert firm controls over the prices of non-luxury Canadian textiles and clothing, be means of a pricing board;
c) that the federal government give priority to Canadian production of basic textiles and clothing a popular prices, suitable for purchase by medium and low income citizens, such as children’s clothing, work-clothing, etc.;
d) that the federal government take a more direct role in the industry, to ensure the development of an integrated textile and clothing sector which would make maximum use of Canada’s raw materials, such as petroleum, wood fibres, etc. These measures could include the government take-over of certain company facilities necessary for the preservation and further development of an integrated domestic textile industry.

20. FIRA (1983)
The CCU supports the strengthening of the Foreign Investment Review Agency, as one tool in the building of an independent economy

21. Government Subsidies to Companies (1983)
The CCU urges the federal and provincial governments to solicit the views of unions in a particular industry prior to awarding grants or loans to a company and that clear guidelines be provided for those various grant and loan programs that prohibit giving grants or loans that have the intent or likely effect of expanding one company a the cost of putting another company out of business.

22. Nationalization of Banks (1983)
The CCU adopts the position that the banking system in Canada be nationalized, and brought under the democratic control of the community, as a part of a program to restore the nation’s battered economy.

23. New Technology (1983)
The CCU urges all levels of government to obtain employment commitments from companies requiring them to supply the North American and foreign markets using production facilities based in Canada before giving such firms access to any government subsidies.

24. Wage Controls (1983)
The CCU reaffirms its adamant opposition to any form of wage control and condemns the use of wage controls by governments as a tool to lay the blame of the economic troubles on the backs of workers.

25. Family Allowance Cuts (1985)
The CCU calls for the reinstatement of full indexing of family allowances.

26. Democratic Economic Planning (1985)
The CCU adopts the following principles based on the CAIMAW discussion paper “Fighting for Jobs, Fighting for Justice: A Resource Management and Utilization Strategy”:
a) recognition of the need for democratic, social, and economic planning in order in achieve full employment and to build an economically equitable, environmentally responsible, democratic society;
b) recognition of the need for an integrated economic strategy based on the principle that we employ our abundant human and natural resources to establish extensive secondary manufacturing industries and minimize the export of our raw or semi-processed resources;
c) recognition that government has the major responsibility to coordinate the planning process and the development of the economic strategy as well as the execution of the strategy. In executing the strategy government may encourage private initiative, foster cooperative approaches or include crown corporations creating and operating industries consistent with the economic strategy, but in all cases encouraging the new enterprises to embody democratic principles in which the workforce and the community are a legitimate part of the decision making processes of the enterprise;
d) recognition of the need of government to coordinate the marketing of Canadian goods and services internationally;
e) recognition of Canada’s financial resources towards mechanisms aimed at industries that serve Canada’s needs in terms of goods, services, and employment.

27. FIRA (1985)
The CCU calls for the reinstatement of the Foreign Investment Review Agency with its original powers as well as new, stronger powers, in order to prevent Canadian jobs being lost through foreign takeovers.

28. Telecommunications Policy (1991)
The incoming Executive Board of the CCU is instructed to develop CCU positions on telecommunications policy in conjunction with its affiliated unions and to publicize these positions in the appropriate forums.

29. Sustainable Development (1991)
The CCU encourages its affiliates to participate in “round table” grass roots organizations whose purpose is to enhance the integration of environmental, economic and social considerations.

30. Investigation of Air Fares (1991)
The CCU will request the federal government investigate to determine whether gouging and price-fixing is taking place in regards to the air fare from northern areas of BC to Vancouver.

31. Forestry Control (1995)
The CCU strongly urges all governments to reject any attempt to seize control of our forests by any body not representative of the citizens of Canada.

32. Ministry of Forests (1995)
The CCU strongly urges the federal government to create a ministry specifically to deal with all matters pertaining to relating to Canadian Forest.

33. Canadian Petroleum Industry (1995)
The CCU opposes making Canada a net importer of refined petroleum products and the shuttling down of operations and the CCU calls upon the federal and provincial Governments of Canada and the petroleum industry to work for long term secure energy self sufficiency, the adding of value to raw products before export and the upgrading and, where appropriate, the expansion of refining and marketing assets.

34. Nuclear Energy (1995)
The CCU calls for an investigation into and the immediate end to direct and indirect subsidies (low-interest loans, tax breaks, export development credits, etc.) to all toxic military, and nuclear industries, and for the use of the saved funds to provide transition funding for displaced workers and to support the development of clean, safe, sustainable industries. The CCU condemns the transportation of nuclear waste in Canada, and calls upon affiliates to lobby municipalities to pass ordinances prohibiting the transport of nuclear waste in their communities. The CCU calls for the removal of clause 901 of the North American Free Trade Agreement which could prohibit Canada from refusing to receive nuclear waste from the United States.

35. Export Development Corporation (1997)
The CCU strongly urges the government of Canada not to misuse our tax dollars in aid of foreign countries establishing industries that will eliminate Canadian jobs.

36. Bulk Water Exportation (1999)
The CCU urges the federal government to implement legislation to ban bulk water exportation as a first step towards a comprehensive national water policy and if the federal government fails to take such action, that provincial governments be urged to mount constitutional challenges to provisions in NAFTA that would force provinces to export water.

37. Nuclear Weapons (1999)
The CCU condemns the actions of the federal government to expropriate the Nanoose Bay torpedo test range from BC and in particular, the Minister of Fisheries for his unwarranted attacks on the province of BC. The CCU calls on the federal government to implement a firm policy to refuse access to Nanoose Bay of all nuclear weapons capable vessels and that the CCU lends support to Premier Clark in his fight for economic and environmental justice for the citizens of British Columbia.

3 EDUCATION

1 Staffs of Institutions of Higher Education (1969)
The CCU urges governments to adopt legislation requiring that any Canadian university work towards a 75% staff of Canadian origin and citizenship.

2. Canadian Universities (1970)
The CCU demands that the federal and provincial governments, according to their various jurisdictions, pass legislation establishing a quota:

a) limiting the number of foreign nationals in any department of a university, college of other institutions of higher learning, to 15% of the total staff; and
b) providing that not more than one-quarter of this 15% come from any foreign country; and
c) barring any foreign national from assuming the rank or duties of department chairman, or any position higher in rank to that; and
d) that further means be taken so that the content of studies take proper account of Canada’s land, its peoples, their history, their culture, their means of livelihood, their relations with other peoples of the world.

3. Canadian Education (1971)
The CCU demands regulations by the governments to ensure that at least 85% of teaching staffs in all universities be Canadian citizens; and that all heads of departments and all persons in administrative posts hold Canadian citizenship.

4. Canadian Education (1972)
The CCU will work towards the adoption of laws whereby in Canadian universities, all management and administrative positions as well as those of department heads be held by Canadian citizens. The CCU stands for legislation whereby at least 75 of all professors and teachers at various levels in Canadian universities by Canadian citizens, and is in favour of having a quota of not more than 15% of foreign students in Canada’s graduate schools.

5. Canadian Education (1973)
The CCU calls upon and urges all government bodies in Canada, and all university administration to immediately stop hiring any teaching staff not presently Canadian citizens or landed immigrants, immediately place all facilities under the administration of landed immigrants or Canadian citizens, immediately ensure that qualified teaching staff are Canadian oriented in their teaching outlook and immediately introduce programs to ensure that there be a faire and just proportion of foreign-based teachers on staff, but that even allowing for the heavy immigration factor in recent years in the Canadian population, there be no more than 15% of any faculty foreign-based.

6. Worker Education (1975)
The CCU calls upon the federal and provincial governments to adopt an education policy geared to increasing the opportunities of Canadian workers and Canadian youths to acquiring the necessary and relevant skills and knowledge required to build Canada into an independent nation with its own secondary industry. In this regard, we call upon these governments to establish in greater numbers, government sponsored apprenticeship programs in industry and polytechnic type schools accessible to the broadest number of people.

7. Education Fund (1977)
The CCU will make clear to the federal government that the members of the Confederation of Canadian Unions are not for sale and that they reject any such subsidization of the labour government, and that we condemn the federal government for granting, without any real control, $10 million to an organization that a few years ago tried but failed to raise a half a million dollars to smash the rising tide of Canadian unionism in the country’s labour movement.

8. Education Program (1981)
The CCU commits to forming a permanent committee to organize and administer an educational program to meet the needs of all present and future members of the CCU.

9. Education in British Columbia Schools (1985)
The CCU condemns the unprecedented attack of the provincial government upon the public schools of British Columbia, demands the immediate reinstatement of authority of locally elected school boards to determine educational needs, and demands the provincial government provide sufficient funding to meet locally determined educational needs.

10. Labour Schools (1985)
The CCU continues to increase the CCU’s involvement in organizing labour schools and in assisting affiliated unions with their educational programs.

11. Labour Education in the Schools (1991)
The CCU will pressure the provincial ministries of education to increase their coverage of labour history and union activities in their curriculum. The CCU and its affiliated unions are encouraged to provide information and materials about our history and activities to school boards and teachers so that these materials can be used in the education of our children.

12. Communications Strategy (1995)
The CCU commits to an extensive internal communications strategy that will involve the reordering of CCU priorities, with the full commitment of the affiliates to provide the resources necessary to fulfill this commitment. The Secretary-Treasurer of the CCU will be responsible for the training courses and educational material required for this internal communications strategy. The Secretary-Treasurer will consult with the most qualified left-of-centre economists, social policy experts and political scientists to develop these courses and materials which will clearly demonstrate the progressive and practical alternatives to the right-wing attack on working class Canadians. Each CCU affiliate will commit at least one member to be designated as the CCU “communications officer”. This officer will receive extensive training from the CCU on communications skills. This officer will then be responsible for the dissemination of the CCU educational material to the officers and rank-and-file members of the affiliated union through formal channels, such as seminars, meetings and newsletters, and informal channels, such as grievance processing, contract negotiations, and social gatherings.

13. Education (1995)
The CCU will urge its affiliates to contact the respective governing bodies of educational institutions in order to work together in an effort to terminate any and all actions that undermine the ability of our children to reach their highest potential through learning about the world around them. The CCU recognizes that education provides the foundation of our social and moral responsibilities to society and to each other. As such, it is the obligation of all Canadians to work together to provide equal access to a quality education.

14. Universal Free Post-Secondary Education (1995)
The CCU condemns funding cuts to universities and colleges and the CCU demands adequate funding for all post-secondary education be guaranteed by the re-establishment of Established Programmes Financing at levels sufficiently high to ensure universal access to free, high-quality post-secondary education.

15. Worker Education (1999)
The CCU actively lobbies the federal and provincial governments to increase and promote the availability of proper apprenticeship programs throughout Canada.

16. Educational Workshop (2005)
The CCU/CSC will organize a one day educational workshop to be part of each Executive Board.

17. Annual Bursaries (2007)
The recent resolution adopted at the 22nd Convention directed that the CCU / CSC will provide three annual bursaries of up to $500. The Constitution is silent on the process (see Constitution, Article VIII ‘Revenue’, Section 11). That once eligibility of the candidate has been determined, the candidate for each bursary is selected by lottery at the fall Executive Board meeting. That the Treasurer forwards each bursary to the selected candidate and the information is posted to the friends list.

18. Educational Workshops (2007)
The CCU / CSC is committed to providing information and educational materials at each Executive Board meeting. The recent resolution adopted at the 22nd Convention directed that there would be a one-day educational workshop to be part of each Executive Board. Over the course of the last two years the CCU / CSC has met that directive realizing additional expenses to the CCU / CSC and the affiliates. That the CCU / CSC Executive make every effort to provide information and educational materials at the Executive Board meetings, but are not required to set aside an additional education day during the Executive Board meetings.

19. Stewards Manual and Training (2015)
Job Stewards are vital components of any union; and the CCU has a diverse membership of unions; and CCU member unions can learn from each other. The CCU develop a common Job Steward Training Manual and Job Steward Training Course that can be used by member affiliates to educate Job Stewards; and that this be completed as soon as possible.

Economy/Industrial Strategy (2021)
The CCU/CSC is committed to continuing lobbying for and promoting fair taxation. Canadians want a tax system that is equitable so there is justification in paying taxes for the services we all rely on and support. The federal government has cut corporate taxes, promising that it will spur jobs and wage growth. Research shows that corporate tax cuts don’t accomplish either of these. Instead, much of that wealth goes to shareholders and highly-paid executives, which has been exacerbated by COVID pandemic profiteering. Ensuring that corporations are paying their fair share of taxes would be an important step to help address increasing economics inequalities.

The sooner the federal government can follow through on fair taxation reforms, the greater the chance Canada and Canadians will have in rebounding from the economic hardships exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government needs to restore fairness to the tax system, raise taxes on the rich (increase corporate tax), crack down on tax avoidance (using legal loopholes to avoid paying taxes) and tax evasion (using illegal methods to reduce taxes).

4 ENERGY / NATURAL RESOURCES

1. Natural Resources (1970)
The CCU urges the Canadian government and the Canadian people to oppose the concept of “continentals” and see to it that Canadian water, oil, natural gas, timber and ores and under the control and management of Canadians in the interest of Canada.

2. Trans-Canada Pipelines (1973)
The CCU supports the extension of the Trans-Canada Pipeline to supply all parts of Canada, and also supports the construction of a deep sea port at an appropriate location on the St. Lawrence River so that any imported crude oil can be received totally free of foreign control.

3. Montréal Pipeline Deal (1975)
The CCU supports the principle that oil pipelines and other major concerns is Canadian owned and Canadian operated.

4. Oil Pipeline to Montréal (1975)
The CCU supports the extension of the existing pipeline from Sarnia to Montréal.

5. Canada’s Natural Energy Resources (1975)
The CCU calls upon the federal government to take over complete public ownership of the natural energy resources of this country – oil, coal, gas, water – and administer their distribution in the interests of Canadians.

6. Energy Policy (1977)
The CCU urges the federal government to establish a commission to study all areas related to our energy supplies including more intensified exploration for new petroleum reserves and for careful husbanding of any reserves available. Conservation must be given consideration and from the commission’s findings and recommendations the government must formulate and implement an energy policy for Canada.

7. Pipeline (1977)
The CCU is opposed to the construction of a northern pipeline until native land claims can be settled and studies completed on the economic, social and ecological effects of the route chosen.

8. Energy Policy (1977)
The CCU supports greater husbanding of all energy resources now available. The CCU supports greater powers being given to Petro-Canada, particularly for intensified exploration for new gas and petroleum reserves. The CCU supports the nationalizing of huge trans-national oil corporations.

9. Energy Policy (1979)
The CCU demands that the federal government extend the Inter-Provincial Pipeline east of Montréal to serve Québec City and our maritime provinces and that adequate restraint are placed on foreign owned oil companies so that Canadian bound domestic energy supplies cannot be diverted.

10. Nuclear Energy (1979)
The CCU is opposed to the development of nuclear energy and is in favour of the development of alternate sources of energy such as solar, wind and tidal power.

11. Uranium Mining (1979)
The CCU is opposed to uranium mining and will lobby the federal and provincial governments to make the companies responsible for the clean-up of presently contaminated areas.

12. Pipelines (1981)
The CCU reconfirms its position on supporting a crude oil pipeline to Québec City and the Maritimes and adds that these lines be made reversible.

13. Resource Exploration in Parks (1985)
The CCU is opposed to opening our parks to resource exploitation and instead advocates intelligent resource management policies to develop secondary industry using the abundant natural resources to create jobs for Canadians.

14. Energy Sales (1991)
The CCU supports the disclosure of energy sales information and urges the federal government to tie employment opportunities to energy permits.

15. Nuclear Energy (1995)
The CCU calls for an investigation into and the immediate end to direct and indirect subsidies (low-interest loans, tax breaks, export development credits, etc.) to all toxic, military, and nuclear industries, and for the use of the saved funds to provide transition funding for displaced workers and to support the development of clean, safe, sustainable industries. The CCU condemns the transportation of nuclear waste in Canada, and calls upon affiliates to lobby municipalities to pass ordinances prohibiting the transport of nuclear waste in their communities. The CCU calls for the removal of clause 901 of the North American Free Trade Agreement which could prohibit Canada from refusing to receive nuclear waste from the Unites States.

16. Privatization of Ontario Hydro (1995)
The CCU publicly protests the proposed privatization of Ontario Hydro.

17. West Coast Salmon Treaty (1997)
The CCU will send a letter of support to the British Columbia government and the fishers in their struggle. The CCU will petition all parties in the dispute to bargain in good faith.

18. West Coast Salmon Stocks (1997)
The CCU strongly urges the Canadian government to put a timely end to pressure on the west coast salmon stocks.

19. Privatization of electrical generating and distribution systems in Ontario (2003)
The CCU/CSC goes on record as:
1) Opposing privatization of the electrical generating and distribution systems in Ontario;
2) Supporting investment in publicly owned and operated power generating and distribution systems to allow for modern regulation equipment to prevent massive blackouts;
3) Supporting investment in publicly owned and operated power generating and distribution systems to allow for appropriate maintenance to ensure maximum safety for the system and its components;
4) Supporting public investment in energy conservation programmes;
5) Calling for improved standards of accountability to Parliament and to the public for those who administer the public power systems.

20. Opposing the Privatization of crown corporations (2019)
Historically the privatisation of crown corporations has not delivered on the benefits promised to the public that created them. The CCU-CSC goes on record as:
1. Opposing the privatisation of crown corporations. For example, in Manitoba this would include, but not be limited to Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation, Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba, & etc.
2. Supporting investment in publicly owned and operated corporations in the best interest of all citizens.
3. Supporting public investment in public infrastructure.

5 ENVIRONMENT

1. Pollution (1970)
The CCU urges those in authority to take the following measures to protect the country against pollution:

a) establish machinery and personnel needed to check all significant types of pollution;
b) enact laws that will force producer to use equipment needed to purity wastes going into Canada’s air, land and water;
c) ban the use of materials endangering the health of humans and despoiling nature;
d) protect Canada’s natural resources and plan their development and use for the benefit of this country’s people;
e) Ensure that the costs of all anti-pollution measures be charged against industries concerned as a necessary part of the costs of production.

2. Pollution Control Committee (1971)
The CCU encourages all its affiliated unions to negotiate into their next collective agreement, the formation of a Labour Management Environment Control Committee.

3. Anti-pollution Groups (1971)
The CCU encourages the formation of plan level environment control committees to establish lines of communications with sincere, active, public, anti-pollution groups.

4. Political Action (1971)
The CCU encourages its members to support those politicians whose platforms promote Canadian ownership and an economy based on human needs and ecological integrity.

5. Tree Farm Licenses (1971)
The CCU requests that the BC government hold public hearings on all tree farm license renewals and specifically for tree farm license number 24 on the Queen Charlotte Islands.

6. Pollution of our Environment (1975)
The CCU urges affiliates to work towards the preservation of the natural beauty of this country and that through negotiating committees bring pressure on companies to use recyclable materials.

7. Coastal Waters (1975)
The CCU calls upon the government of Canada to safeguard by strict legislation, our shorelines and coastal waters out to the 200 mile limit in the East, West and Arctic against pollution. This legislation must provide that polluting will be criminal offence whereby officers of corporations responsible would be liable to mandatory imprisonment and that the corporations be liable to fines of up to twice the cost of the clean up.

8. Amax Molybdenum Mine in BC (1981)
The CCU opposes the operation of the Amax Molybdenum Mine until the Nishga’a’s claims are settled and a proper tailings impoundment procedure is ordered.

9. Acid Rain (1981)
The CCU demands the federal Minister of Environment further reinforce Canada’s Clean Air Act by clamping down on all industrial polluters, and that the Minister take a stronger position with the U.S. to force a cutback on trans-border acid rain. The CCU endorses the use of S02 scrubbers and other related equipment to prevent acid rain. The CCU does not believe that the simple monitoring of local conditions can effectively measure the damage that is being caused to the environment.

10. Industry and Environment (1981)
The CCU supports the position that before any major industrial development occurs, particularly natural resource development, there is a full public enquiry. These public enquiries must be federal and/or provincial judicial enquiries with the right of any interested group to have evidence subpoenaed and the right to cross examine witnesses. There must be full social, economic, and environmental impact studies conducted independently of government and industry. The people living in the affected area, including local governments, environmental, aboriginal, labour and special interest groups, must have a majority vote in the decisions affecting their areas and be given the necessary resources to properly assess each proposed development. The CCU supports and encourages the just struggles being waged by affiliated local and national unions to protect and preserve the environment.

11. Acid Rain (1983)
The CCU continues to urge the government to expend the necessary amount of money to clean up the acid rain problem, and to force industry on both sides of the border to pull its full weight in correcting this disastrous situation. The CCU condemns the attitude of the Reagan administration that continues to either ignore or down play the environmental horrors being caused by acid rain.

12. Public Hearing Process (1983)
The CCU continues to actively work with other socially conscious groups to ensure the protection of the environment by encouraging fair and proper public hearings into major development projects.

13. Environmental pollution (1985)
The CCU will lobby all levels of government to introduce legislation that would allow workers to refuse to do work that results in pollution to the environment and to make it a criminal offence with severe enough penalties against employers who allow or instruct workers to carry out such environmentally polluting work. The CCU encourages local affiliates to negotiate these provisions in their collective agreements.

14. Hazardous Waste (1985)
The CCU supports a strategy for managing hazardous wastes that includes detailed regulations governing hazardous waste disposal, stringent enforcement (including fines and jail sentences), prohibition of dumping, high temperature incineration of organic wastes, separation of heavy metals, site selection of facilities done with full public consultation, tax on companies who pollute (with the money raised providing the funding for incineration and/or storage), the creation of a crown corporation to manage the hazardous waste systems, no importation of hazardous wastes from other countries and the transportation and handling of all hazardous wastes from must be done in such a manner as to be completely harmless to humans and the environment.

15. Fishing Quota (1987)
The CCU demands the cancellation of the Cod Fishing Quota agreement with France, the resignation of the Fisheries Minister, and that the navy be ordered to enforce Canada’s sovereignty and control over Canada’s Maritime Economic Zone. The CCU supports the actions taken by the people of Newfoundland and St. Pierre and Miquelon in boycotting the French deep sea fishing fleet.

16. Preservation of our Environment (1987)
The CCU calls for preservation of wilderness areas such as the Stein River Valley, Stikine Valley, the Khutzeymateen Valley and other distinctive areas in Canada. The CCU calls on the federal and provincial governments to create and develop federal parks as was done with the South Moresby area.

17. Nuclear Submarines (1987)
The CCU calls upon the federal government to purchase non-nuclear submarines for maritime defence and further, calls upon the federal government to heed all other nations of the imminent dangers of nuclear reactors at sea.

18. Softwood Lumber Export Charge Act (1987)
The CCU condemns the passing of the Softwood Lumber Export Charge Act as a sell-out of Canadian sovereignty by the Conservation government with the blessing of the major lumber producing along with other self-interest groups. The CCU reconfirms its support for a sound forest management strategy that includes:
a) a massive reforestation program;
b) a comprehensive review of current stumpage practices, with the purpose of removing abuses of the Forest Act and ensuring that stumpage revenue go towards reforestation (including monies from the Softwood Lumber Export Charge Act);
c) a ban on export of raw logs and development of secondary forest-based injury under public control and ownership.

19. Sustainable Economic Development and the Environment (1989)
The CCU endorses the conclusions of the Bruntland Commission and the Canadian National Task Force on Environment and Economy. The CCU calls upon industry to ensure that the environmental principles contained in these reports are followed in the planning and production processes. The CCU urges the federal and provincial governments to enforce compliance with these environmental principles.

20. Hazardous Waste (1989)
The CCU adds to its strategy for managing hazardous wastes by including the reduction, recycling or reusing of hazardous waste materials whenever possible.

21. Drifts Nets (1989)
The CCU calls on the federal government to withdraw international cooperation with any nation taking advantage of the drift net fishing industry.

22. Kitlope Watershed (1991)
The CCU joins the Haisla Nation in acting to maintain the integrity of the Kitlope Watershed in northwest British Columbia.

23. Whaling Ban (1993)
The CCU is opposed to commercial whaling and the slaughter of dolphins for consumption and will convey this message to the Canadian and Japanese governments.

24. Environment (1993)
The CCU will contribute toward preserving our natural environment through education and, if possible, funds toward appropriate organizations.

25. Nuclear Waste (1997)
The CCU goes on record as opposed to the government of Canada allowing foreign countries disposing of their nuclear waste in Canada.

26. Climate Change (1997)
The CCU goes on records as supporting the international call for the reduction of CO2 emissions. The CCU calls on the Prime Minister of the federal Environment Minister to legislate the reduction of greenhouse gases, especially CO2 emissions and to encourage greater efficiency through the use of renewable energy resources and reframing market incentives.

27. Public Transit (1999)
The CCU support free, environmentally friendly public transit and that CCU lobby federal, provincial, and municipal governments to provide free, environmentally friendly public transit in major urban centres.

28. Defence project (2003)
The CCU/CSC calls for the immediate withdrawal of Canada from the North-America sky shield continental defence project. The CCU/CSC calls on the Government of Canada to oppose the manufacturing of any components related to that project.

29. Windmills (2005)
The CCU/CSC lobby governments to make every effort to generate energy from renewable non-polluting alternate energy sources such as windmills.

30. Wetlands (2005)
Each of us should do our part to promote the conservation, repair and wise use of wetlands across our country by protecting and restoring the ecosystem known as wetlands.

31. Insect Infestations (2007)
There’s a new and potentially serious threat to some of North America’s most beautiful and popular trees is the Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis). Native to parts of Asia, the beetle is believed to have arrived in North America in the wooden packing material used in cargo shipments from China. The CCU / CSC urge the federal and provincial governments to take preventive and/or corrective actions to avoid the propagation of the Asian Longhorn Beetle as well as other destructive insect infestations in Canada.

32. Reduction of Carbon Emissions (2007)
The CCU /CSC encourages its affiliates to participate in the reduction of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions lead to climate change. That when a total reduction of carbon emissions is not possible, such as for air travel, the affiliate should consider minimizing their carbon impact through the purchase of carbon offset credits. Going carbon neutral is a practical way in which we can engage in CCU / CSC events while preserving our natural environment.

33. Forest Stewardship Council (2015)
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) promotes forest management that meets the social, ecological, and economic rights and needs of the present generation without compromising those of future generations; and paper is a renewable and recyclable product; and the FSC certifies producers whose products come from a responsibly managed forest or a verified post-consumer recycled source; and the FSC certified paper products are available for purchase; and the Confederation of Canadian Unions is seeking FSC Membership. That moving forward, the Confederation of Canadian Unions only purchase Forest Stewardship Council Certified paper products where available.

6 FREE TRADE AND THE CORPORATE AGENDA

1. Free Trade (1985)
The CCU condemns all movement in the direction of freer trade with the United States. The CCU calls on the federal government to expand the manufacturing base of the Canadian economy in the interest of preserving and developing our political and economic independence.

2. Free Trade Zones (1985)
The CCU opposes the establishment of “economic free trade zones” in any province or any other jurisdiction in this country.

3. Free Trade (1987)
The CCU encourages its affiliates to initiate and/or participate in concrete activities to educate their memberships, and the community at large, on the dangers of free trade and to oppose the implementation of the free trade deal.

4. Free Trade, Deregulation and Privatization (1987)
The CCU opposes the federal government’s efforts to hand over crown corporations and government services to the profit-making private sector. The CCU opposes the deregulation of industry which would remove socially necessary restrictions (e.g. safety regulations, environmental regulations, servicing of remote communities) which benefit the Canadian consumer and Canadian workers. The CCU condemns the efforts of the Mulroney government to pit regions of the country against each other, and instead participate in the growing number of popular coalitions across Canada that oppose free trade with the United States.

5. Economic Initiative (1987)
The CCU calls on the federal government to nationalize our banks to place the $400 million in bank assets at the service of the people, to demand payment of the $40 billion in deferred corporate taxes to the Canadian people, to curb special tax exemptions and subsidies to corporations and to impose exchange controls to stop the flow of investment capital out of Canada by trans-national corporations.

6. Softwood Lumber Export Charge Act (1987)
The CCU condemns the passing of the Softwood Lumber Export Charge Act as a sell-out of Canadian sovereignty by the Conservation government of Canada. The CCU reaffirms its support of a sound forest management strategy that includes a massive reforestation program, a comprehensive review of current stumpage rates, a ban on export of raw logs, and the development of secondary forest-based industry under public control and ownership.

7. Drug Patent Legislation (1987)
The CCU condemns the proposed changes to drug patent laws which would increase costs to Medicare and to consumers and calls on the federal government to abolish this proposed legislation.

8. Tax Reform (1987)
The CCU supports a more progressive income tax system which would ensure that corporations and rich individuals in Canada pay more in income taxes. The CCU opposes the federal government’s move to increase consumption taxes on goods and services, including the proposed business transfer tax.

9. Free Trade (1987)
The CCU joins with other organizations across Canada in demanding an immediate general election to determine whether or not the people of Canada are prepared to give the federal government a mandate to finalize a US – Canada Free Trade Agreement.

10. Canada’s First Free Trade Budget (1989)
The CCU condemns the Mulroney government and its 1989 budget. The CCU will education its members with respect to the government’s phoney concern for Canada’s deficit. The CCU calls for more progressive forms of income and wealth taxation to fund Canada’s commitment to universal social programs and public interventions in the economy.

11. Fair and Equitable Tax Burden (1989)
The CCU demands the federal government drop its plan to introduce the 1991 Goods and Services Tax, and introduce a fair tax system. The CCU shall launch an information campaign to promote income tax reforms that are progressive, fair and equitable to all Canadians.

12. No Tax on Food (1989)
The CCU condemns any attempts to tax food.

13. Consumption Tax (1989)
The CCU opposes the national consumption tax and calls upon the government to return to a progressive income tax system that ensures that corporations and wealthy Canadians pay more in income taxes.

14. Organization of American States (1989)
The CCU condemns the action of the Mulroney government in joining the Organization of American States.

15. Government Abandonment of Via Rail (1989)
The CCU joins with other groups such as Transport 2000, labour, travel, and tourist organizations and provincial jurisdictional interests to demand that the federal government cease and desist with its plan to destroy the national passenger service.

16. Canadian Water and the Free Trade Agreement (1989)
The CCU requests that the federal government resolve the uncertainty surrounding this issue through the execution of a separate and binding joint diplomatic agreement, ratified by both the US Congress and the Canadian Parliament, that wording notwithstanding, nothing in the Canada-US Trade Agreement applies to Canada’s water resource in other than bottled form.

17. Moratorium on the Export of Water to the US (1989)
The CCU demands individual provincial governments place a moratorium on the export of water to the US in any form beyond bottled until the access rights to Canada’s water under the Trade Agreement are clarified to apply only to water in bottled water.

18. Free Trade and Economic Restructuring (1991)
The CCU will work with its affiliates and with coalitions, especially the Action Canada Network and Common Frontiers Project, to mobilize support for the abrogation of the US – Canada Free Trade Agreement, and to develop an alternative development strategy that recognizes the legitimate social and economic needs of peoples throughout the western hemisphere. The CCU demands full disclosure and national debate on matters now being negotiated in secret by the governments of Canada, the US and Mexico, the public release of all preliminary and framework agreements being negotiated between Washington and other Latin American and Caribbean nations, the defeat of constitutional changes that would enshrine private property rights, and the defeat of constitutional changes that would amend the Bank of Canada Act to focus solely on monetary policy. The CCU supports an all out offensive against the corporate agenda of free trade and economic restructuring from the Arctic Circle to the tip of South America.

19. Industrial Strategy for Canada (1991)
The CCU will continue its fight for the restructuring of the US – Canada Free Trade Agreement and urges cancellation of any further talks with Mexico and the US governments about a three way free trade deal. The CCU will lobby the federal and provincial governments for significant notice of closure (i.e. minimum 6 months to one year depending on size of plant) to the union, to the community and to governments to determine if alternate strategies to closure can be implemented, such legislation would require full financial disclosure. The CCU will also lobby governments to provide as an employment standard a minimum of two weeks severance.

20. Free Trade (1993)
The CCU reaffirms its position of working with its affiliates, and with coalitions such as the Action Canada Network and Common Frontiers Project, for the abrogation of the US – Canada Free Trade Agreement and that the proposed North American Free Trade Agreement is cancelled.

21. Action Canada Network (1993)
The CCU reaffirms its support for the Action Canada Network and will attend all Action Canada Network meetings.

22. Child Labour
The CCU supports the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, which represents more than 126 million workers in 134 countries, in their demand for a “social clause” for the rules and regulations that would govern world commerce. This “social clause” includes not only a ban on child labour, but also guarantees for freedom of association, the protection of the right to organize and to bargain collectively, an end to discrimination, a demand for equal pay for work of equal value, and a ban on forced or compulsory labour. The CCU calls upon the Government of Canada through the International Trade Minister, and the Foreign Affairs Minister t join with the United States, France and several other countries in the support of including a “social clause” within the mandate for the World Trade Organization.

23. Action Canada Network (1997)
The CCU will re-dedicate itself to the work of the Action Canada Network and that it will crease its monthly donation to the ACN to $300.

24. Multilateral Agreement on Investment (1997)
The CCU will petition the federal government to immediately withdraw all representation from any talks.

25. Multilateral Agreement on Investment (1999)
The CCU demands that the Canadian government call for an immediate re-negotiation of NAFTA (and implications to WTO agreements) on a range of issues such as culture, energy, water, health care, environmental safeguards as well as the definitions of “expropriation”, “investor state” and the “national treatment clause”. The CCU remains appraised of an involved in the Millennium Round of discussions at the WTO up to and including participation in organizing meetings and attendance at People’s Summit conference in Seattle.

26. Public Owned lands (1999)
The CCU insists that ownership of publicly held lands shall remain as public owned lands and shall not be bargained away or traded away to private resource extraction interests.

27. Export of raw logs (2003)
The exporting of raw logs from the forests of Canada results in the loss of work for Canadian workers. The CCU/CSC reaffirms its support for the banning of the export of raw logs.

28. Export of raw logs (2011)
The CCU/CSC demands that the BC government bring an immediate end to the export of raw logs and create a sustainable forestry strategy. Furthermore, the CCU/CSC demands that the BC government cease referring to raw logs as lumber.

7 HEALTH AND SAFETY

1. Public Health (1970)
The CCU urges the Ontario government to cancel Medicare contracts with private insurance carriers, and place all administration of Medicare into the hands of government agencies, to extend Medicare to cover dental and other care, drugs, serums, vaccines and all requirements of public health, and to cancel premiums for the plans and finance public health services through general taxation.

2. Industrial Safety Acts (1970)
The CCU urges all provincial governments to amend their Industrial Safety Acts so as to impose specific limitations on management in matters concerning the health and safety of employees, such as ventilation, temperature, humidity, lifting or weights, etc.

3. Workmen’s Compensation (1973)
The CCU demands that Workmen’s Compensation Boards and governments work in joint effort to give priority of employment to persons who care partially disabled, where suitable work is sponsored by governments funds.

4. Worker’s Compensation (1975)
The CCU urges all provincial governments to remove the ceiling on which benefits are paid and that 100 per cent be paid.

5. Industrial Disease (1975)
The CCU calls upon the federal and provincial governments to safeguard the environment and lives of Canadians against hazards of mercury poisoning, arsenic poisoning, lead poisoning, silicosis, asbestosis, radiation poisoning and other diseases related to toxic substances. The CCU demands that fines of up to double the costs of reparation be levied against the employer and in the case of death(s) caused by these hazards, corporation officers be held liable to mandatory imprisonment of up to 15 years.

6. Workers Advocates (1977)
The CCU promotes the establishment of an office of worker’s advocates, independent of the WCB, to assist appellants with respect to Workmen’s Compensation claims.

7. Dental care (1979)
The CCU supports government sponsored prepaid dental care services available to all regardless of income.

8. Working with Toxic Chemicals (1981)
The CCU urges the federal and provincial governments to insist that containers of substances used or produced in the workplace and the community be labelled with their correct chemical name or formulation and information warning of their hazardous properties, and adequate safety measures to provided, and that no workers be required to work with any substances until they are fully informed of their potential ill-health.

9. Worker’s Compensation Board Premiums (1981)
The CCU will make representation to the appropriate authorities in Ontario to demand the new companies under the same direction or control as a previous company inherit the WCB premium rate of original company.

10. Visual Display Terminals (1983)
The CCU urges the federal and provincial governments to introduce stringent regulation of visual display terminals.

11. Safety Awards (1983)
The CCU condemns safety awards programs based on accident frequency or severity rates.

12. Functional Authority – Joint Committees (1983)
The CCU calls upon the federal and provincial governments and regulatory agencies to adopt and support the concept of workplace health and safety regulation through joint committees with decision-making authority, and to ensure that workers are in the majority on those committees.

13. Removal of PCB (1983)
The CCU demands the immediate removal of PCB’s at the Suncor Inc. plant.

14. Health and the Working Environment (1983)
The CCU endorses the World Health Organization’s definition of health, which states “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The CCU urges the federal and provincial governments and regulatory agencies to adopt the WHO definition of health in its broadest interpretation.

15. Representative Training (1983)
The CCU urges governments and regulatory agencies to require mandatory two-week training for worker representatives with time loss to be paid for by the employer. The CCU urges its affiliates to continue to provide training for health and safety representatives and encourages the negotiation of paid lost time for such training.

16. Medical Monitoring (1983)
The CCU supports the following guarantees before medical monitoring should be allowed to proceed under statutory, regulatory ore employer requirements:

a) the health care professional be chosen by a consensus of those persons whose health is at risk;
b) the union have a major role in the definition of the purpose and design of the program;
c) the health care professional report to the joint union-management health and safety committee;
d) the confidentiality of medical information be guaranteed;
e) participation in the program be voluntary unless the health of another person would be placed at risk;
f) workers would only be removed from jobs if they have full guarantees of seniority and benefit protection and full rehabilitation, including retraining and relocation assistance;
g) workers will receive the Worker’s Compensation benefits to which they are entitled incorporating the broadest possible definition of “disability”;
h) every effort will be made to remove the causes of injury and ill-health from the workplace.

17. Universal Disability System (1985)
The CCU supports the establishment of a universal disability system on a national basis.

18. Workers Health Clinic for Northern Ontario (1985)
The CCU supports the efforts of Mine Mill and Smelter Workers Union, Local 598 in its efforts to establish Sudbury, a Workers’ Occupational Health and Safety Clinic, developed by labour and responsible to labour alone.

19. Worker’s Memorial Day (1985)
The CCU supports the establishment of a day to commemorate all workers killed or injured in workplace accidents or through industrial disease.

20. Worker’s Health Centres (1987)
The CCU supports existing workers health centres and encourages its affiliates in the establishment of more occupational health and safety centres.

21. Asbestos (1987)
The CCU supports a ban on asbestos and will communicate this position to all levels of government, all of whom support the continued use of asbestos.

22. Threshold Limit Values (1989)
The CCU endorses the position taken by the labour members of the Ontario task force that current levels in workplaces be questioned until these limits can be demonstrated to be clearly within acceptable limits based on scientific evidence.

23. Experience Rating (1989)
The CCU strongly opposes experience rating.

24. Regulations for Occupational Exposure (1989)
The CCU will actively encourage Canada to develop its own standards based on our own needs, will question current levels until these levels are demonstrated to be clearly within acceptable limits based on scientific evidence, that these standards be derived from all international literature, and recommends the control and elimination of physically and chemically hazardous substances in the workplace to the full extent of existing and future technologies.

25. Fighting Speed Up in the Workplace (1995)
The CCU renews its demand for the elimination of electronic surveillance in the workplace. The CCU and its affiliated unions continue the struggle for improved Health and Safety legislation. These demands would include the requirement for employers to improve the ergonomics of their workplaces in the effort to drastically reduce the number of repetitive strain injuries to Canadian workers. The CCU continues its demand that the federal and provincial governments amend their respective labour laws so as to provide workers and their unions the right to strike over technological change during the term of the collective agreement.

26. Health Care Campaigns (2003)
The CCU/CSC continues to be active in lobbying governments on this important issue, by educating our members, and participating in health care campaigns of provincial health coalitions and the Council of Canadians.

27. Medicare (2003)
The CCU/CSC continues to lobby the Federal and Provincial Governments to protect our Medicare and to NOT trade away our health care system.

28. Medicare (2003)
The CCU/CSC supports a strategy by the Federal Government to continue long-term studies regarding the effect of the genetically modified organisms (GMO). The CCU/CSC urges the Government to openly reveal all studies to the public, and in the meantime, the Canadian Government should label all GMO’s in the market.

29. Opiate Crisis (2017)
The CCU/CSC will call on all levels of government to immediately fund and implement a comprehensive response to the opiate overdose crisis.

8 HUMAN RIGHTS

1. Working Women (1969)
The CCU will direct its efforts to obtain equal pay for equal work and to eliminate all other inequalities in the treatment of working women, both in collective bargaining and legislation. The CCU urges the federal government to grant tax exemptions to working mothers to cover the cost of child care and to establish nurseries subsidized by public funds for the children of working women.

2. Legislation of Abortion (1970)
The CCU supports the removal of all restrictions from the Criminal Code to the performance of the act of abortion by qualified medical practitioners.

3. Working Women (1970)
The CCU reaffirms its commitment to the achievement of equal pay for equal work, publicly supported day care, and tax exemptions for working mothers. The CCU supports the Ontario Women’s Equal Employment Opportunity Act, which prohibits discrimination in job recruitment, hiring, training, promotion and dismissal.

4. Working Women (1971)
The CCU actively supports the demand of women workers for equality in wages and in working conditions. The CCU will work to strengthen, and give teeth to, laws adopted for the protection of women workings. The CCU will work in cooperation with other groups in the community to set up crèches for infants and nurseries for pre-school children, subsidized by public funds.

5. Participation With Other Groups (1972)
The CCU will participate with the National Action Committee on the Status of Women and with other organizations concerned with fighting for adoption by government s of the most urgent recommendations form the Royal Commission on the Status of Women; and with bringing about a greater degree of justice and equality for working women in Canada.

6. Working Women (1973)
The CCU will lobby the federal and provincial governments to give priority to laws ensuring equal pay for work of equal value. The CCU will lobby the federal government to create a federal Human Rights Code to prohibit discrimination with respect to wages and benefits, and to create universal, government funded, community child-care centres.

7. Child Care Services (1975)
The CCU urges the federal and provincial governments to combine efforts to provide government financed child care centres, accessible to all, and with time schedules that satisfy the shifts requirements of workers.

8. Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value (1975)
The CCU is committed to continuing the struggle of pressuring governments to ensure equal pay for work of equal value, to be enforced by assessment on the basis of skill, effort, responsibility and conditions. The CCU will strive for vigorous enforcements of such laws.

9. Canada’s Jury System (1975)
The CCU views with alarm the persistent attempts by Québec Justice Minister Choquette and others in the Canadians judiciary and governments, to reverse the two acquittals of Dr. Morgenthaler by juries of his peers, as a dangerous attach upon jury systems of this country’s constitutional laws. The CCU demands the cessation of the persecution of Dr. Morgenthaler and orders his immediate release, according to the official judgment of both juries, in the trials to which the doctor has been subjected.

10. Equal pay for Work of Equal Value (1977)
The CCU reaffirms its support for the principle of equal pay or work of equal value and continues to fight wherever necessary to win full equality for women workers.

11. Equal pay for Work of Equal Value (1979)
The CCU calls on the provincial governments to amend their laws to provide equal pay for work of equal value.

12. Child Care (1979)
The CCU calls for the expansion of child care services in order to provide accessible and inexpensive child care for all families who require it.

13. Equal pay for Work of Equal Value (1981)
The CCU reaffirms its determination to win clauses ensuring equal pay for work of equal value in all future collective agreements and to enforce such clauses through the grievance procedure. The CCU will, whenever possible, to play an active role within each province in the struggle to win laws enduring equal pay for work of equal value. The CCU condemns the federal government in their refusal to upgrade the wages of some 3,000 blue-collar public service women whom the Federal Human Rights Commission declared to be underpaid. The CCU will inform the Canadian Human Rights Commission of its opposition to any further exceptions to the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.

14. Maternity and Paternity Leave (1981)
The CCU will work towards improving maternity and paternity leaves in future collective bargaining using the model of the recent gains of Québec public sector workers. These gains include 20 weeks fully paid, with the accumulation of seniority rights and with payment by the employer of all health insurance premiums; annual vacation with pay to follow the leave at the employee’s option, four additional weeks unpaid if required for the interests of the infant, five days paid paternity leave, two years unpaid maternity of paternity leave with continuation of seniority rights, and ten weeks paid adoption leave for either adoptive parent.

15. Ku Klux Klan (1981)
The CCU opposes the Ku Klux Klan, whatever forms or names it assumes such as the National Association for the Advancement of While people or the Nationalist Party of Canada. The CCU supports and urges its affiliates to become active in organizations that seek to put an end to this racial bigotry. The CCU will inform federal and provincial governments and politicians of our opposition to such organizations and insist that they use all their powers to ensure that the democratic rights of all citizens be protected by enacting special legislation if needed.

16. Disabled Workers (1981)
The CCU encourages its affiliates to fight for the provision of, or creation of, suitable jobs for permanently disabled workers, especially within the workplace where they were inured. This includes placing disabled workers out of seniority and with the onus on the employer to retain these disabled workers.

17. Equal pay for Work of Equal Value (1985)
The CCU calls on all jurisdictions to introduce legislation which provides for both complaints and monitoring of all industries, and to set aside additional money to address pay inequities in the public sector, including municipalities and school boards. The CCU urges the Canadian Human Rights Commission to withstand pressure from private industry to narrow the scope of its legislation. The CCU urges its affiliates to continue to pursue the equal value principle in collective bargaining.

18. Hiring of the Disabled (1987)
The CCU supports federal and provincial legislated requirements for hiring quotas for the disabled. The CCU urges its affiliates to raise the issue of employing and re-employing the disabled in their collective bargaining.

19. Mandatory Drug Testing (1987)
The CCU is opposed to any form of compulsory employee drug testing, and will lobby federal and provincial governments to outlaw mandatory testing for drugs.

20. Sexual Discrimination (1987)
The CCU endorses the recommendation to federal and provincial governments to include sexual orientation as prohibited grounds for discrimination in their Human Rights Acts. The CCU urges its affiliates to include the prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation within collective agreements.

21. CSIS Infiltration of CSN (1987)
The CCU supports our brothers and sisters in the CSN in combating the damage done by police agents and provocateurs in their union. The CCU calls on the federal Solicitor General condemning the use of CSIS agents to infiltrate and disrupt unions in Canada, and demands a full investigation of the operation of the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service.

22. Physical impaired and Learning Disabled (1989)
The CCU condemns employers who exclude the physically impaired and learning disabled from employment opportunities and encourages affiliates to collectively bargain for the fair hiring of these workers.

23. Child Poverty in Canada (1991)
The CCU urges all levels of government to take immediate action to eradicate the suffering of children of children by providing adequate levels of welfare, providing healthy meals at schools, and creating other socially conscious initiatives to end this unneeded and unforgivable pain and suffering by Canadian children.

24. Equality for Women (1993)
The CCU continues its commitment to equality for women. Through education and policy the CCU will attempt to explain the root causes of this inequality and propose action plans to eliminate it.

25. Sexual Orientation (1993)
The CCU supports and works with organizations that are fighting for same sex benefits and full equality for lesbians and gay men under the law.

26. Sexual Harassment (1993)
The CCU will develop a policy on sexual harassment and circulate it to all affiliates after approval by the National Executive Board.

27. Sexual Orientation (1995)
The CCU continues its demand that the Federal, Alberta, Prince Edward Island and north West Territories governments enact legislation that would include sexual orientation as prohibited grounds for discrimination in the Human Rights Act. The CCU affiliates are encouraged in their collective bargaining process to include the prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation within collective agreements.

28. Employment Equity (1995)
The CCU and its affiliates condemn this inequity which the Ontario government is proposing buy the repeal of Bill 79, The Employment Equity Act, and unite with other unions or institutions in the fight for the reinstatement of employment equity legislation and the protection of those affected. The CCU urges its affiliate to continue their work towards the timely implementation and maintenance of employment equity principles in spite of the intention of the Ontario provincial government to repeal this legislation. The CCU urges its affiliates to reaffirm the commitment of their employers to Employment Equity. The CCU reaffirms its commitment to the principles of equity in employment, especially for the designated groups: women, member of racial minorities; aboriginal peoples; and persons with disabilities by encouraging its affiliates to collectively bargain for the fair treatment of these workers.

29. Human Rights Violations (2015)
The CCU/CSC takes a strong stand against human rights violations and will urge all levels of government to condemn human rights violations and ensure that human rights are protected within and beyond our borders. The CCU/CSC will continue to lobby all levels of governments on human rights issues.

30. Human Rights Violations of Canadian Companies Abroad (2019)
The CCU/CSC urges the Canadian government to continue its investigation on human rights abuses involving Canadian companies operating abroad. We support the withholding of legal and financial support from mining, oil, gas and garment corporations that have committed human rights violations and continue to operate their businesses without consequence. We also call for changes to Canada’s export laws so that they put human rights over economic and foreign policy interests.

31. Women’s Rights (2015)
The CCU/CSU is dedicated to the empowerment of women both within Canada and globally, and encourages organizations and governmental structures to remove barriers in gender equality and rights. The CCU/CSC is committed to actively encourage involvement and change within the dimensions of women equality such as; educational rights for girls and women, ending the violence against women, political leadership and participation, equal lawful protection involving political/domestic conflicts. The CCU/CSC will lead, promote and coordinate efforts for further research and awareness to advance the full realization of women’s rights and opportunities, and to foster a humanist unity in social and political spheres.

32. Gender Identity and Expression (2017)
The CCU/CSC will encourage affiliates to include Gender Identity and Gender Expression protections when negotiating non-discrimination language in their Collective Bargaining Agreements.

33. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2017)
The CCU will encourage government to develop broad legislation connected with the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

34. Equity for All (2019)
The CCU/CSC advocates for effective policies to protect and promote the legal rights to equality for all people. Profiling involves discrimination and disproportionate targeting of people based on race, ethnic origin, colour, religion, disability, gender identity and sexual orientation. It is a violation of their dignity as human beings, and it hinders their ability to access basic services and opportunities, resulting in the marginalization of individuals and communities. We uphold Section 15(1) of the Charter and urge all government/communities to acknowledge that “every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.

9 IMMIGRATION

1. Immigration Policy (1975)
The CCU opposes all attempts to divide the working people of Canada, especially on the basis of race and national origin. The CCU opposes the “Green Paper” introduced by the federal immigration department as being a vehicle to allow racists to publicize their policies and create disunity amongst the peoples of Canada.

2. Immigration Bill (C-24) (1977)
The CCU opposes this legislation and is committed in its efforts of defeat it. The CCU will communicate this message to the Minister of Manpower and Immigration and to the Prime Minister.

3. Immigration Policy – Bill C-84 and C-55 (1987)
The CCU calls for a more open immigration policy geared to our liberal tradition on immigration and our economic needs. The CCU is opposed to Bills C-84 and C-55 on the grounds that these bills give excessive and arbitrary powers to immigration officials, place organizations assisting refugees in legal jeopardy, and prevent legitimate refugees from obtaining sanctuary in Canada. The CCU calls on the federal government to enforce penalties against unscrupulous immigration agents, smugglers and other exploiting illegal immigrants.

4. Refugees (1977)
The CCU will lobby the federal government to drop its racist legislation.

5. Immigration Policy (2019)
The CCU/CSC supports Canada’s immigration system and encourages the acceptance of refugees who seek asylum; this is a fundamental human right. All people who come to our border do so peacefully, with hope and enthusiasm for a better life. Canada has safe responsible migration policies and a strong social security system to provide support and relief as intended. We advocate for all Canadians to recognize that it is our duty to welcome those who are struggling and seeking safety.

6. Immigration Policy (1995)
The CCU demands that the Minister of Immigration withdraw the head tax imposed for sponsorship and that he re-evaluate his immigration policy to be more consistent with Canadian humanitarian ideology as opposed to the ideology of the few who have no regard for humanity but are consumed with self-interest.

7. EI Benefits for migrant workers (2003)
The CCU/CSC demand and continue to lobby the federal government to cease this dishonest and exploitative practice which robs migrant workers of part of their wages to pay for EI benefits they cannot collect.

8. Working conditions (2003)
The CCU/CSC support efforts to improve the working conditions of migrant workers to our country.

10 INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Aid to Nicaragua (1981)
The CCU will communicate to the Prime Minister, other appropriate ministers, and the leaders of the opposition parties, that the present aid to Nicaragua be increased to a level more in keeping with Canada’s ability to help developing nations where popularly supported governments have been established.

2. South African Congress of Trade Unions (1981)
The CCU affirms its solidarity with the struggle of SACTU, and that this solidarity be strengthened through continuing consultation with the SACTU Solidarity Committee (Canada) on matters pertaining to South African trade unionism and include the provisions of moral, financial and material assistance to SACTU.

3. South Africa (1981)
The CCU calls upon the federal government to cease all economic and diplomatic associations with the government of South Africa.

4. US Policy in Latin America (1981)
The CCU will communicate to the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister its opposition to the condoning, supporting or assisting any military or other intervention or economic blockade by the US or any other power in the internal affairs of El Salvador.

5. El Salvador (1981)
The CCU condemns the US government for their involvement in El Salvador, and calls on the US government to immediately halt all military and political aid to the junta. The CCU urges the External Affairs Minister to cut off all diplomatic and economic relations with the Salvadorian government and condemns the AFL-CIO for giving support to the ruling junta through its participation in the American Institute for Free Labour Development. The CCU will lobby the Canadian government to support human rights in El Salvador and to channel any aid through organizations such as OXFAM.

6. Philippines (1981)
The CCU will lobby the federal government to urge the Marcoses and their supporters to completely lift martial law, to free all political prisoners and to establish a democratic way of life in the Philippines. The CCU urges the External Affairs Minister to cut off all diplomatic and economic relations with the Marcos government if friendly persuasion fails to restore democracy. The CCU condemns the US government for its involvement in the Philippines and calls on the US government to immediately halt all military, economic and political aid to the Marcos regime.

7. Chile (1983)
The CCU supports the determination of the Chilean people to return to a democratic government. The CCU reaffirms its opposition to the repressive Pinchet regime and will make these views known to the Pinochet and Canadian governments.

8. Philippines (1985)
The CCU will lobby the federal government to urge the Marcos regime to abolish “Presidential Decrees”, and to free all political prisoners and to establish democracy. The CCU urges the External Affairs Minister to review all existing policies and programs in view of the Philippines well-known violations of human rights. The CCU again condemns the US government for its involvement for its involvement and calls for an immediate halt to military, economic, and political aid to the Marcos regime.

9. The KMU in the Philippines (1985)
The CCU recognizes the KMU as the only legitimate labour movement in the Philippines.

10. Sanctions against South Africa (1985)
The CCU demands an end to all trade between Canada and South Africa. The CCU affiliates commit to negotiating collective agreement language which allows union members to refuse to handle, produce or use goods from or destined for South Africa. The CCU continues to work closely with the SACTU Solidarity Committee.

11. South Africa (1985)
The CCU calls upon the federal government to sever diplomatic ties with this present South African government and to impose trade sanctions with South Africa.

12. Nicaragua (1985)
The CCU will lobby the federal government to establish a Canadian Embassy in Nicaragua, to increase aid, and to oppose any attempts of military intervention of economic blockades by any country on the people of Nicaragua.

13. Non intervention in Central America (1985)
The CCU urges the External Affairs Minister to provide concrete support for the Contadora Initiative, including representations to persuade the US government to support the Contadora Initiative and strive for de-escalation of tensions in Central America.

14. Trade with South Africa (1987)
The CCU calls upon the federal government to impose comprehensive, mandatory sanctions and sever diplomatic relations with South Africa until apartheid is replaced with a democratic, non-racist society, such as proposed by the African National Congress.

15. Federal Government Development Grants (1989)
The CCU calls upon the External Affairs Minister to reform inequities inherent in government policies that promote and fund development in undemocratic countries.

16. Recognition of the African National Congress (1989)
The CCU calls upon the federal government to recognize the African National Congress as the legitimate voice of the people of South Africa and the grant the ANC representatives in Canada diplomatic status.

17. Support for Anti-apartheid Network (1989)
The CCU endorses the call by the African National Congress to build a national anti-apartheid network and will join such a network, inclusive of reasonable financial support. The CCU encourages all affiliates to adopt similar policies in support of the ANC’s proposal for an anti-apartheid network in Canada.

18. Sanctions against South Africa (1989)
The CCU calls upon the federal government to enact full, comprehensive, and mandatory sanctions against South Africa.

19. Support for SACTU (1989)
The CCU reaffirms its support of SACTU by actively participating in SACTU programs and by encouraging its affiliates to also participate.

20. Rights of Palestinian Workers (1989)
The CCU condemns the violations of the rights of Palestinian trade unions and workers and will convey these views to the Israeli government and to the Secretary of State for External Affairs.

21. South Africa (1995)
The CCU recognizes Nelson Mandela as the first president of South Africa freely elected outside of the bondage of apartheid. The CCU further supports the restoration of economic and diplomatic ties with South Africa.

22. Striking Nestle Workers (1997)
The CCU condemns the actions of Nestle and joins with the more than half a million workers from labour organizations from a dozen countries in calling for a boycott of Nestle products until this dispute with the reinstatement of the 121 fired workers.

23. Helms-Burton (1997)
The CCU supports the federal government in its opposition to the Helms Burton Law.

24. Nike (1997)
The CCU encourages its affiliates to work in conjunction with the Campaign for Labour Rights organization. The CCU endorses the Campaign for Labour Rights in their struggle to get Nike workers a living wage and working conditions consistent with human dignity; freedom to unionize without government repression; and redress of the claims brought by workers who were fired for protesting wages and working conditions.

25. Columbia (2005)
The constant expansion of El Cerrejon Norte mine has resulted in forced relocations of indigenous people, human rights violations, environmental destruction and other injustices. A total of 74 trade unionists were killed in Columbia in 2004 alone. Nova Scotia Power could purchase coal from other sources, including coal mining cooperatives in Columbia with good human rights records. The CCU/CSC actively oppose Nova Scotia Power’s purchase and use of blood coal from Colombia.

11 LABOUR LEGISLATION AND OTHER LABOUR ISSUES

1. Financial Resources of Unions (1969)
The CCU urges legislation requiring that all unions dues collected in Canada remain in this country under the control of Canadian union members, it being clearly understood that such legislation does not prevent Canadian union members from donating funds to foreign workers.

2. Operation of Labour Boards (1969)
The CCU urges the federal and provincial governments to ensure that no one sits on a Labour Board who belongs to or comes from a union whose principal headquarters is outside Canada.

3. Right to Strike (1969)
The CCU believes that unions must be given the lawful right to strike during the life of an agreement on any difference that is not settled through the grievance procedure.

4. Canadian Unions (1969)
The CCU supports the concept that Canadian workers should be represented by Canadian unions locally, provincially, nationally and internationally at all levels where trade unions representation is necessary. The CCU will make this aware to all levels of government.

5. Absolute Majority (1970)
The CCU believes that unions are to be certified in a vote by the majority of those voting.

6. Deductions for Group Insurance (1970)
The CCU will work towards the elimination of all deductions from wages to cover group insurance or health requirements, either by complete government or employer payment.

7. Labour and Farmers (1970)
The CCU supports the closest unity being forged between organized labour and the organized farmer in their mutual interests, and in the interests of Canada.

8. Corporations and Labour Unions Returns Act (1971)
The CCU demands that the officials involved be obliged to publish reports within six months of the fiscal period and that the federal government investigates any effort to evade the reporting requirements.

9. Labour Board Representation (1971)
The CCU supports having members of the CCU as representatives on provincial Labour Relations Boards.

10. Construction (1973)
The CCU encourages the government to finance more winter construction projects, making employment in construction a year round job.

11. Construction (1973)
The CCU demands that where there is a Canadian union established governments provide equal opportunities to workers, regardless of their affiliation.

12. Labour Boards (1973)
The CCU will lobby the federal and provincial governments to ensure that Labour Relation Boards, under their respective jurisdictions, will include members of independent Canadian unions to ensure fair and objective consideration and resolution to all matters.

13. Union Constitutions (1973)
The CCU supports legislation which would state: “That any provision of the constitution and/or by-laws of a trade union which could have the effect of placing a member under discipline for belonging to another trade union during ‘open season’ or in that period when Canadian workers are allowed by law to change unions, then any such disciplinary action shall be a violation of the Labour Relations Act and as such the said trade union and its agents shall be liable to a summary conviction”.

14. Pension Legislation (1973)
The CCU urges the federal government to introduce legislation which would make it illegal for any trade union to make membership in a union pension plan compulsory for any member, unless this pension plan is fully portable.

15. Financial Assets (1973)
The CCU urges the federal and provincial governments to uphold the rights of Canadian workers by introducing and adopting legislation which would enable the members of any local union in Canada, who were members of an American-based union, to rightfully and lawfully retain all their property and financial assets.

16. CALURA Reports (1973)
The CCU urges the government to continue the publication of CALURA reports and that they be published more promptly, without any attempt to suppress or dilute the reports.

17. Canadian Labour Congress (1973)
The CCU condemns the actions of the Canadian Labour Congress in their establishment of a one million dollar fund fur the purpose of fighting Canadian unions.

18. Notice (1973)
The CCU urges its affiliates to lobby their provincial governments for the immediate introduction of legislation which would grant workers at least six months notice of plant relocation, plant closure or technological change, or pay in lieu thereof up to a maximum of six months pay.

19. Provincial Ombudsman (1973)
The CCU supports the establishment of the services of a Provincial Ombudsman for each province.

20. Young Workers (1973)
The CCU is opposed to a lower minimum wage for young workers. The CCU calls for labour laws that guarantee equal rights of organization to students and part-time workers.

21. Pensions (1975)
The CCU supports a policy of pensions at age 60 based on 75% of a worker’s annual earnings and indexed to the cost of living.

22. Labour Boards (1975)
The CCU continues its policy of seeking representation on Labour Boards.

23. Freedom to Leave American Unions (1975)
The CCU demands federal and provincial legislation to make illegal all devices that have the effect of forcing Canadian workers to remain in American-based unions against their wishes and better judgment, such as compulsory pension plans, union welfare plans, “dual unionism” clauses, and the retention of assets by the “International” of locals when they secede.

24. Right to Strike and to Picket (1975)
The CCU is opposed to any legislation restricting the right to strike or picket and also is opposed to injunctions limiting the right to strike or picket, whether issues by courts or by Labour Boards.

25. CALURA Reports (1975)
The CCU calls for CALURA reports to be expanded and made more specific, in particular, that they include itemized details on the total income and expenditure made by each individual union operating in Canada.

26. Contracting Out to Non-Union Firms (1975)
The CCU urges all affiliates to achieve contract language prohibiting non-union services or contracting out to non-union companies.

27. Hours of Work (1975)
The CCU is committed to reducing the hours of work per week.

28. Bill 22 (Ontario) (1977)
The CCU is opposed to the Ontario government’s proposed legislation to impose province-wide single trade bargaining.

29. Tripartism (1977)
The CCU condemns the tripartite proposals of the Canadian Labour Congress as being unworthy of the working class movement of our country. The CCU will make it clear to the government that the Canadian Labour Congress does not in any way speak for the workers of Canada and certainly not for the members of the CCU.

30. Right to Strike (1977)
The CCU opposes limitations on the right of memberships to ratify collective agreements and opposes statutory limitations on the right to strike of any group of workers, including during the file of a collective agreement.

31. Construction Industry (1979)
The CCU will lobby governments to introduce adequate legislation requiring all developers be financially responsible before obtaining a permit to construct, and that all sub-contractors be licensed and be made more responsible personally in relation to their employees, even when bankruptcy occurs.

32. American Construction Unions (1979)
The CCU condemns the appointment of Clive Ballantine to the Ontario Labour Relations Board and demands that the Labour Minister introduce immediate remedies to the Ontario Labour Relations Act to stop the discrimination practiced by American unions in the construction industry in Ontario.

33. Anti-Labour Legislation (1979)
The CCU will develop a plan of action to oppose the attacks by the federal and provincial governments that are part of the deliberate effort to make organized labour and workers the scapegoat for the failure of corporate profit economics.

34. Right to Strike over Grievances (1979)
The CCU demands that laws be amended to provide unions with the option of going to arbitration or taking strike action as methods of resolving grievances during the life of a contact.

35. Electronic Spying at the Workplace (1979)
The CCU calls upon the government to enact laws prohibiting the use of electronic surveillance of people at the workplace, except where it is proved to be of use solely for the health and safety of workers.

36. CALURA Legislation (1979)
The CCU urges the federal government to preserve the CALURA reports in their present form.

37. Homework (1979)
The CCU calls on provincial governments and in particular the government of Ontario, to prohibit homework, except for the development of traditional skills and crafts, by effective legislation which should be enforced vigorously.

38. Support of Public Sector Workers (1979)
The CCU supports public sector workers in their fight to collectively bargain with their respective employers, to protect their rights and, to win back those rights legislated away.

39. Hours of Work (1981)
The CCU favours and supports the principle of the eight hour day and 40 or less hour work week, and at the same time recognizes the right of affiliates to decide on the structure of their work week.

40. Tipped Workers (1981)
The CCU urges the amending of federal legislation to ensure that tip-earning employees receive Unemployment Insurance and Canada Pension based on their declared income. The CCU takes the position that there must be the same minimum wage for workers who receive tips and those who do not. The CCU urges legislation to make it clear that the tip is the property of the employee(s) who do the service.

41. Canada Manpower Retraining Programs (1981)
The CCU urges the federal government to no longer subsidize employers with benefits from tax funded dependant allowances under the Canada Manpower Program and that those monies allocated for dependant assistance not be transferred to the benefit of employers but be allocated to the individuals who were intended to receive it.

42. Contract Cleaning (1981)
The CCU supports the position that both the employment and the collective agreements of building cleaners should continue when a cleaning contract is transferred from one company to another.

43. Ontario Labour Relations Act (Bill 89) (1981)
The CCU denounces the June 1980 amendment to the Ontario Labour Relations Act as an outrageous strike-breaking law ad will campaign to force the rescinding of this iniquitous law.

44. Third Party Agreements in the Construction Industry (1981)
The CCU is committed to continuing the effort to force labour boards throughout Canada to rule that third party agreements are not valid collective agreements and should be given no recognition when it comes to determining which union is entitled to represent the workers on a particular job.

45. Tripartism (1981)
The CCU opposes all forms of tripartism and bipartism in all their various forms and encourages all local and national unions to adhere to and implement this resolution.

46. Collective Bargaining Rights and Public Sector Workers (1981)
The CCU condemns the anti-labour propaganda aimed at making public sector workers the scape-goat for the economic crisis. The CCU declares its solidarity with organized public sector workers in their struggle to uphold the right to free collective bargaining and the right to strike.

47. Solidarity (1983)
The CCU supports the decision of the BC affiliates and commits to an education program, raising the financial support if necessary, for the Solidarity campaign. The CCU will support bona fide actions inclusive of a general strike if launched to secure the objectives of Operation Solidarity and the Solidarity Coalition.

48. Shorter Work Week (1983)
The CCU supports the struggle for a substantially shorter work week with no reduction in take home pay.

49. Part-time Work, Home-work, Individual Work Contracts (1983)
The CCU supports amendments to federal and provincial labour laws and to health and safety laws in order to:
a) outlaw the most unfair, unsafe and/or unhealthy forms of home-work, contract work, or part-time work;
b) regulate all the above forms of work that are not outlawed;
c) bring the workers involved under workers’ compensation laws;
d) provide adequate policing of the new labour standards, and health and safety laws covering workers;
e) provide insurance coverage and other benefits for part-time workers on the same basis that they are provided to full-time employees.
The CCU will seek amendments to federal and provincial labour relations acts that would make organizations of these workers a practical possibility.

50. Shift Work (1983)
The CCU will make a concerted effort to inform the membership of the inherent dangers of shift work and will encourage union negotiating committees to strive for shorter hours and extra days off for shift workers. The CCU supports alternate production techniques that could eliminate the social and health disadvantages of shift working.

51. Piecework, Bonus and Incentive Systems (1983)
The CCU supports a bargaining policy on piecework and other incentive systems that feature the following as its goals:
a) the elimination or minimization of piecework systems;
b) the restriction of managements’ right to introduce piecework and the development of workers’ right to choose timework;
c) health and safety practices that eliminate the possibility of dangerous short-cuts;
d) no less than the hourly rate as the guaranteed rate of pay;
e) effective complaint procedures;
f) compensation for all forms of machine downtime and bad materials;
g) educational work with union members as to the need to take all contractual rest periods, to support others in piecework grievances and to resist the pressures to speed-up.

52. Erosion of British Columbia Labour Code (1983)
The CCU condemns the attacks by the Social Credit government on the rights of workers, particularly those which undermine the rights of workers to join and remain members of a union. The CCU opposes any regressive amendments to the BC Labour Code and will fight any proposed changes to the Labour Code that attack the rights of workers.

53. Bankruptcy (1983)
The CCU urges the federal and provincial governments to change the bankruptcy laws so that workers, who are owned money such as wages, pension monies, full severance pay benefits and union dues deducted and not paid out, are placed at the top of the list of secured creditors when a firm goes bankrupt.

54. The Right to Strike (1985)
The CCU calls for the federal and provincial governments to abolish the statutory prohibition against the right to strike during the lifetime of a collective agreement.

55. Arbitration (1985)
The CCU calls for government-sponsored arbitration services to be made available at the parties’ option where arbitration is the chosen route, just as mediation services are made available to the parties at no cost, and that government regulations set a standard of $25.00 per hour, plus reasonable expenses, for private arbitrators.

56. Technological change and plant relocation (1985)
The CCU demands that federal and provincial governments amend their respective labour laws so as to provide workers and their unions with the right to strike over technological change, plant closures or relocations in order to better ensure the fair treatment of displaced workers.

57. Anti-scab Legislation (1987)
The CCU calls upon the federal and provincial governments to enact anti-scab legislation.

58. Plant Closures (1987)
The CCU urges the federal and provincial governments to introduce legislation to ensure that workers affected by plant closures, receive adequate notice of plant closures and severance pay.

59. Quality of Work Life (1987)
The CCU will participate in a workshop on Quality of Work Life, and that the intent of this workshop will be to fully discuss the ramifications of QWL to be recommended to all affiliated unions of the CCU.

60. Bills 19 and 20 (BC) (1987)
The CCU will adopt a program of education for the public and will continue to fight to have these bills repealed.

61. Industrial Standards Act (1987)
The CCU demands that the schedules of the Industrial Standards Act of Ontario covering construction projects to be re-activated to insure minimum standards of employment and that the Ministry of Labour hire sufficient inspectors to insure that minimum employment and safety standards are enforced.

62. Licensing of Building Contractors (1987)
The CCU demands that the Ontario government license all contractors in the construction industry to ensure that they are capable of performing the work of their trade and that they have adequate financial resources to support their company.

63. Supreme Court of Canada Decision Known as PACCAR/CAIMAW Local 14 (1989)
The CCU condemns the anti-worker, anti-democratic and anti-union decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, and encourages affiliates to establish the necessary protection in their collective agreements and labour laws.

64. Mandatory Drug Testing (1989)
The CCU is opposed to mandatory drug testing.

65. Part-time Workers (1991)
The CCU will fight for legislation that limits employers’ use of part-time labour and which would discourage the exploitation of part-time workers by ensuring that when part-time workers are employed they are paid at the same rate of pay and are entitled to the same job security and benefits as full-time workers in the same positions. The CCU will fight for legislation that would require part-time workers be entitled to full benefits when they are employed for 24 or more hours per week and that benefits be pro rated for workers who work for less than 24 hours per week.

66. Severance Pay (1991)
The CCU will lobby provincial governments to include severance pay provisions in their employment standards legislation. The CCU will fight for the retroactive recognition of severance pay as “compensation for capital loss” (i.e. loss of greater health and welfare benefits, pensions, vacations and job security that accompany long service with an employer, loss of ability to utilize company specific skills, etc.) rather than as “earnings” as defined in the federal Unemployment Insurance Act.

67. Support for Public Sector Workers (1991)
The CCU continues to voice strong criticism of governments that attack the rights of public sector workers. The CCU continues to actively support public sector workers in their struggles to win respectable, negotiated contract settlements, and to mobilize its members in support of these struggles.

68. Support for Public Services Coalitions (1993)
The CCU will continue to participate in the Public Services Coalition and will voice its opposition to the provincial governments who are using broader public sector workers as the target for deficit reduction.

69. Telecommunications Industry (1993)
The affiliates of the CCU in the telecommunications field demand their employers provide job training and job guarantees.

70. Unemployment (1995)
The CCU will lobby both the federal and provincial governments to formulate a ratio of apprentices to journeymen that must be adhered to by all employees.

71. Canadian Union of Postal Workers (1997)
The CCU expresses its full support to our sisters and brothers in the Canadian Union of Postal Workers with their struggle to achieve a fair collective agreement with Canada Post. The CCU will send a message to the Prime Minister and to Canada Post management condemning their actions during this protracted dispute. The CCU endorses CUPW’s demand for jobs, job security and improving service to the public.

72. Government Lobbying (1997)
The officers of the National Executive Board should concentrate their efforts in lobbying for improvements to rights, privileges and protections for Canadian workers.

73. Health and Welfare Plans (1997)
The CCU encourages its affiliates to promote Canadian-based not-for-profit, unionized insurance carries for health and welfare plans. The affiliates are encouraged to have their trustees support the same.

74. Psychological Profile Testing (1997)
The CCU goes on record as opposing the use of psychological profile testing in the workplace, unless employers can conclusively prove that such testing is a bona fide occupational requirement. The CCU will lobby all levels of government to enact legislation which restricts the use of psychological profile testing by employers to instances where the employer can conclusively prove that the use of such testing is bona fide occupational requirement.

75. Financial Support (2003)
A request for financial support for a member union of the CCU/CSC whose members are on strike or out of work is a priority for the CCU/CSC and such requests will be carefully considered at Executive Board meetings.

76. Coalitions in B.C. (2003)
The CCU/CSC continues to work with the coalitions in B. C. to improve conditions for the working people of B. C.

77. Protestors (2003)
The CCU/CSC will register protests when protesters are unfairly treated by law enforcement officers or agencies. The CCU/CSC will protest to those responsible for the actions of the security forces.

78. Anti-terrorism legislations (2003)
The CCU/CSC will protest the use of the anti-terrorist legislation and demand for the repeal of the anti-terrorist legislation.

79. Freedom to demonstrate (2003)
The CCU/CSC opposes the government in allowing and initiating the use of tear gas and pepper spray. The CCU/CSC also demands that the government allow its citizens to have the freedom to demonstrations.

80. Anti-scab Legislation (2007)
In 1987 the CCU / CSC passed an Anti-scab Legislation policy resolution that stated “The CCU / CSC calls upon the federal and provincial governments to enact anti-scab legislation.” The CCU / CSC restate our 1987 Anti-scab Legislation policy and lobby the federal and provincial governments to enact anti-scab legislation.

81. International Trade Union Confederation. (2013)
The CCU/CSC over the past number of years has sought to become actively involved in the defence of workers’ rights globally as well as the preservation, defence, and building of the union movement on an international level. The International Trade Union Confederation is the foremost global union federation that national union centres such as the CCU/CSC can unite with to achieve the international solidarity and action required to defend the rights of workers on a global level. The CCU/CSC will affiliate with the International Trade Union Confederation.

82. Bill C-377 (2015)
The CCU/CSC and its affiliates will continue to correspond with the government to let them know that Bill C-377 is unconstitutional and illegal. We will continue to fight for the rights of the union. Whether this bill will remain in effect is uncertain. Both supporters and opponents expect that the law will be challenged in court. Most provinces oppose the bill on the grounds that it is unconstitutional because it allegedly infringes on the provincial regulation of labour. The federal privacy commissioner has taken the position that the bill is overbroad and infringes on privacy rights.

83. Public Services Sustainability Act (2017)
The CCU/CSC supports the actions of the Partnership to Defend Public Services in their legal challenge of the Manitoba Provincial Government’s Public Services Sustainability Act.

84. Universal Card Check System (2017)
The CCU will lobby Federal and Provincial Governments to reintroduce a Universal Card Check system for Union Certification.

85. Bill C-27 (2017)
The CCU/CSC will support any affiliates struggling to defend secure pensions by organizing an email campaign to assist.

86. Precarious Work (2017)
The CCU/CSC will continue making fighting precarious work a priority.

Remote/Hybrid Work Environments
The CCU/CSC will promote and advocate for the establishment of remote/hybrid work environments where viable, which would allow employees the opportunity to work from home creating a better work-life balance for Canadian workers.

12 NATIONAL ISSUES

1. Foreign Ownership in Canada (1969)
The CCU calls for the federal government to pass legislation making it illegal for more than 20% of a company, industry, or given natural resource to be owned by foreign nationals or foreign-controlled companies or financial groups.

2. Pubic Housing (1969)
The CCU calls on the government to declare a rent freeze retroactive to January 1, 1969. The CCU also calls on the federal government to implement a plan for public housing at rents of not more than 25% of take home pay.

3. Government Auto Insurance (1969)
The CCU will ask the provincial governments to introduce government automobile insurance in order to reduce the high cost and to provide coverage and protection to all.

4. Arctic Sovereignty (1970)
The CCU condemns the actions of the Trudeau government in their claim to a twelve mile limit for territorial waters and a 100 mile limit for pollution control in the Canadian Arctic (which is a clear renunciation of our 1925 claim of all the waters surrounding the Canadian artic islands) and demands that the federal government immediately re-affirm our claim of 1925.

5. Civil Liberties (1971)
In response to the government invoking the War Measures Act and later proclaiming a Special Measures Act the CCU opposes the adoption of any new legislation that would in any way deprive Canadian citizens of any existing freedoms.

6. Québec Labour Legislation (1975)
The CCU condemns Québec’s new anti-labour legislation and declares its solidarity with the CCU affiliates in Québec and with all Québec labour, in combating this iniquitous law and other similar laws, planned by the Bourrassa government on the pretext of cleaning out gangsterism in the AFL-CIO construction unions.

7. Québec (1977)
The CCU supports the right of the people of Québec to self-determination. The CCU urges Québec to stay as part of Canada, although we pledge to cooperate and work together regardless of which decision they come to.

8. RCMP (1979)
The CCU demands that the federal government stop condoning illegal activities by the RCMP and make them accountable to the public for their actions, with punishments for those responsible for ordering such illegal activities. The CCU will pressure the various levels of government regarding the RCMP strike-breaking efforts on behalf of employers, and will continue to publicize these strike-breaking activities whenever they occur. The CCU will not participate in any liaison programs with the RCMP, considering the role the RCMP play as instruments of the employers, and condemns those trade union leaders who continue to participate in these programs.

9. Canadian Merchant Marine (1979)
The CCU calls on the federal government to establish a Canadian Merchant Marine.

10. Computer Control – Data Banks (1979)
The CCU condemns any invasion of privacy brought about by personal information being entered into a data bank. The CCU calls on the federal government to enact legislation that will protect the privacy of Canadian citizens and prevent the banking of information outside the boundaries of this country.

11. Merchant Marine (1981)
The CCU is opposed to tax payer’s money subsidizing foreign flag vessels and calls for a Canadian Merchant Marine to be established.

12. MacDonald Commission (1981)
The CCU urges the federal government to make available the full text of the MacDonald Commission report and to provide details of what the commission has discovered in its investigation into specific complaints by our affiliates. The CCU calls on the federal government to prosecute those who ordered and committed the illegal RCMP activities under investigation and also to create an organization independent of the RCMP to monitor activities and investigate complaints of illegal RCMP activities.

13. Canadian Constitution (1981)
The CCU will resist any move to limit the hard won freedoms of the Canadian working class under the proposed repatriation of the Canadian Constitution by the Liberal Government of Canada.

14. Cruise Missiles (1983)
The CCU calls for the immediate cancellation of the agreement with the US to test American cruise missiles on Canadian soils. The CCU calls on the federal government to oppose the manufacture of any nuclear weapons or their components on Canadian soil.

15. Charter Challenges to Union Rights (1985)
The CCU is committed to fighting to ensure that the authority of the courts is not used to reduce or annul trade union and working class rights won by working people through active political struggle.

16. Maintain Rural Post Offices (1987)
The CCU endorses the campaign to save rural post offices and supports the work of Rural Dignity of Canada.

17. Drug Patent Legislation (1987)
The CCU is opposed to the proposed federal legislation that would force generic drug manufacturers to wait and additional seven to ten years to copy a brand name drug and calls on the federal government to abolish this proposed legislation.

18. CF-18 (1987)
The CCU condemns the Mulroney government for awarding the CF-18 contract to Canadian instead of maintaining the integrity of the tendering process and giving the contract to Bristol Aerospace.

19. Canadian Involvement in International Arms Production (1987)
The CCU condemns Canada’s involvement and dependency on military manufacturing and calls on the federal government to immediately cease the exporting of all products to countries identified as human rights violators.

20. Nuclearization of Canada (1987)
The CCU calls on the federal government to cease aggravating an already dangerous situation by halting and abolishing nuclear related testing on our territory and banning nuclear warships from visiting Canadian boarders.

21. Irradiation of Food (1987)
The CCU urges the federal government to prohibit food irradiation in Canada or the importation of irradiated foods in Canada. The CCU is opposed to irradiation of food products until it can be demonstrated that it will have no short, medium or long term adverse effect on human life or the environment. If irradiated food is allowed in Canada or cleared for importation into Canada the federal government must require clear consumer labelling of all irradiated foods or food products containing any irradiated foods.

22. Meech Lake Accord (1989)
The CCU supports amendments to Canada’s constitution that recognize Québec’s status as a “distinct society” however the CCU is opposed to the package of constitutional amendments known as the Meech Lake Accord which was constructed in secret and in great haste. The CCU condemns the Mulroney government for its utter disregard for the democratic process and public participation in formulating the Meech Lake Accord and for presenting amendments that would destroy federal powers to establish new social programs in Canada. The CCU calls for immediate constitutional amendments which give long overdue recognition to the rights of native people and women as well as those people of the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

23. Brian Mulroney and UN Appointment (1991)
The CCU opposes, in the strongest possible terms, Brian Mulroney’s nomination as secretary-general of the United Nations, given his government’s dishonest, destructive and undemocratic record.

24. Child Poverty in Canada (1991)
The CCU urges all levels of government to take immediate action to eradicate this suffering by:
a) providing necessary funds to increase welfare monies to those who are currently in the system;
b) making available funds to school boards for the purpose of providing healthy meals;
c) taking other socially conscious initiatives to end this unneeded and unforgivable pain and suffering by our Canadian children because of economic policies for big business and not for people.

25. Deficit mania (1993)
The CCU condemns the federal government for the cut in transfer payments to the provinces and calls for the transfer payments to be restored. The CCU calls on the provincial governments to absorb the shortfall from the federal government without cutting into social services or implementing wage cuts on public sector workers. The CCU condemns the Ontario Democratic Party government for legislating and end to free collective bargaining for public sector workers and calls on the federal NDP to disenfranchise Ontario MPP’ who supported the anti-worker legislation until such time as the legislation is revoked and free collective bargaining re-established in the province.

26. Support for Job Creation (1993)
The CCU urges all delegates and affiliates to actively participate and campaign for candidates in the October 1993 federal election opposed to current government trade policies.

27. Jobs (1993)
The CCU calls on the federal and provincial governments to create programs for jobs that will put Canadians to work and end the cycle of poverty created by deficit reduction.

28. Ban on Nuclear Testing (1995)
The CCU encourages Canada to support a comprehensive ban on nuclear weapons testing and the dismantling of nuclear arsenals throughout the world. The CCU condemn the actions of France for resuming nuclear weapons testing while the more civilized nations of the world are reducing their nuclear weapons hardware.

29. Support for Political Parties (1995)
The CCU will encourage political education and discussion, within the affiliates and their local unions, in the period leading up to provincial and federal elections. The CCU and its regional councils will play a leading role in the gathering and distribution of political material relevant to the needs of our members. The members of the CCU be encouraged to support and work for candidates whose platforms include social justice issues and the issues important to working class Canadians.

30. Full Employment (1995)
The CCU and its affiliates together join forces in an effort to demand a reassessment and re-evaluation of government policies and to adopt new policies that will minimize unemployment create job training and job incentives, thereby putting emphasis on societal investment.

31. Social Charter (1995)
The CCU is committed to the development of a Social Charter for Canadians. This Social Charter be a framework for a long-term project to enhance and protect the democratic rights of Canadian citizens by creating the mechanism we need to build our democracy and exercise sovereignty over our communities, our economy, our culture and the environment.

32. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (1997)
The CCU will petition the federal government to maintain the current level of funding to the CBC.

33. Child Labour (1997)
The CCU and all its affiliates participate in the national program of action against child labour, a program which includes raising membership and public awareness of this issue, lobbying the Prime Minister to include worker and human rights, health and safety and environmental standards into all future trade agreements and supporting the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) program and to end child labour in developing countries.

34. Krever Report to be Made Public (1997)
The CCU encourages its affiliates and members to lobby the federal government to make a full public disclosure of Mr. Justice Krever’s report.

35. Citizens’ Rights and Information (2007)
Citizens’ private rights and personal information protection are being overruled by the needs and powers of foreign countries. The CCU / CSC urge the Canadian government to strengthen its laws and their application to better protect the Canadian citizens’ private life rights and personal information.

36. Codes of Conducts (2007)
Foreign owned companies do not comply with applicable Canadian laws.The CCU / CSC urge the federal and provincial governments to regulate, monitor and investigate internal binding “codes of conducts” of foreign owned companies in order to comply with applicable Canadian laws.

37. The Anti-terrorism Act (2015)
On February 23, 2015, The Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 a.k.a. Bill C-51 became law in Canada. The law is vague and subject to misuse by several federal agencies, has little oversight and targets freedom of speech and assembly of Canadians; and it could be used to stifle and criminalize dissent, protest, picket lines, wildcat strikes, logging blockades and focus of attention to polluters and the abuse of power by several federal agencies; and labour unions in Canada are honour bound to right the wrongs perpetrated on the poor, oppressed, disadvantaged, displaced, industrially injured or of minority status by any federal agency, corporate entity or industrial power, and Canadian labour unions could be the targets of retaliation, silencing, dismantling and criminalizing for exercising freedom of speech, assembly and protest actions against the undefined powers of the Anti-terrorism Act and any other activities that has been the historical mandates of labour and activity, and the Privacy Commissioner of Canada stated that the limitless powers given to 17 federal agencies by Bill C-51 “are excessive and the privacy safeguards proposed are seriously deficient.”
That the CCU join with other political and civic organizations and insistently petition the federal government to repeal Bill C-51.

38. Anti-Terrorism Act (2015)
The CCU/CSC will lobby the government to repeal Bill C-51.
Bill C-51, The Anti-Terrorism Act, forms the core of the most comprehensive reforms to the Canada’s national security laws since 2001. Widely expanded powers and new criminal offences raise serious human rights concerns including:
1. A vague definition of “threats” that could include a wide range of protest activity that may not be lawful, but is certainly not criminal.
2. Asking Federal Court judges to authorize CSIS “threat reduction” activities that could include human rights violations in Canada and in other countries.
3. Suppressing freedom of expression by making it a crime to advocate or promote the commission of terrorism offences “in general”.
4. Lowering the threshold for, and extending the duration of, preventative detention without charge.
5. Expanded information-sharing without sufficient safeguards to prevent the sharing of unreliable, inaccurate, or inflammatory information domestically and internationally.
6. Inadequate appeal procedures for individuals who find their names on no-fly lists.
7. No increased review or oversight of increasingly complex national security activities.

39. Growth of the CCU/CSC (2015)
The membership of the CCU/CSC is a diverse group of independent unions; and there are many independent Canadian Unions that are not affiliated to the CCU/CSC or the CLC; and the CCU/CSC needs to expand its membership. The CCU/CSC approach all of the independent Canadian Unions to join the CCU and the growth of the membership in the CCU/CSC be the main focus for the next 12 months.

40. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (2015)
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program has taken jobs from Canadians; and the Temporary Foreign Workers have been exploited by employers in Canada; and Temporary Foreign Workers have been used by employers in Canada to drive down wages. The CCU/CSC lobby the Federal Government to change the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and replace it with a system of legal immigration to Canada for jobs that Canadians cannot fill.

13 SOCIAL PROGRAMS

1. Age (1973)
The CCU calls on the government to lower the retirement pension age to 60.

2. Unemployment Insurance (1975)
The CCU urges the federal government to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act to provide the following changes:
a) abolition of the present two week waiting period;
b) reduction of the waiting period for receipt of cheques;
c) removal of the present limitation of a maximum of 15 weeks benefits for sickness and pregnancy;
d) removal of the “major attachment” requirement for receipt of sickness and pregnancy benefits.

3. Claimants Advocates (1977)
The CCU will work to promote the establishment of an office of Claimants Advocates, independent of UIC, to assist appellants.

4. Pension Funds (1977)
The CCU supports the creation of one industrial pension plan, handled by the federal government, payable with no loss to the worker when he/she changes employment thus guaranteeing all a full pension on retirement. The CCU will encourage its affiliates to have bargaining committees demand full information for all workers about the management of pension funds.

5. Government Cutbacks (1979)
The CCU is opposed to any cutbacks in funding to social services and the education system.

6. UIC and Women Workers (1979)
The CCU will call on the federal government to cease current discriminatory practices against working women, including the denial of benefits to women who claim maternity leave benefits in the course of a strike.

7. Unemployment Insurance Act (1979)
The CCU is opposed to any changes in the eligibility requirements which end up discriminating against part-time workers and the “marginally employed.”

8. Unemployment Insurance (1981)
The CCU is opposed to any further erosion to Unemployment Insurance.

9. UIC Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy (1981)
The CCU supports the following amendments to the UIC Act:
a) delete the “10 week rule” which requires pregnant women to prove labour force attachment above and beyond the 20 weeks needed for other “special benefit” claims;
b) delete Section 30(2) which limits pregnancy benefits to the initial benefit period of a claim;
c) delete Section 46 which denies women the right to regular unemployment benefits during the two (2) months prior to the birth of a child or in the month and a half afterwards.

10. Pensions (1981)
The CCU will develop a program for a greatly improved Canada/Québec Pension Plan, based on the following:
a) pensions sufficient to allow retirees and their spouses to live in decency;
b) adequate provision for voluntary retirement for age 60;
c) portability throughout all parts of Canada;
d) complete vesting;
e) accumulated credits for workers who temporarily leave the workforce to bear and/or care for children;
f) full indexing to the cost of living.
The CCU calls for government legislation whereby private plans would honour the principles above-mentioned and be required to give each employee a clear accounting of his/her pension credits and expected benefits once per year.

11. Lowering the Retirement Age (1981)
The CCU will fight for amendments to the Canada/Québec Pension Plan and to provide pension plans to provide for retirement at full pension at age 60.

12. Medicare User Fees (1983)
The CCU is opposed to the charging of hospital user fees and doctors extra billing and calls on the federal government to pursue its policy of not allowing provincial governments to condone extra billing and hospital user fees.

13. Health Care (1983)
The CCU will lobby the federal and provincial governments to ensure universal accessibility to all aspects of health care including access to other health practitioners in addition to physicians.

14. Unemployment (1983)
The CCU urges the federal government, in the strongest possible manner, to extend the Unemployment Insurance Benefits beyond the current one year period provided by the system and to make the creation of permanent jobs the government’s top priority.

15. Pensions (1983)
The CCU will call for pension plans guided by the following principles:
a) that the CPP/QPP be extended to provide a pension to the value of at least 50% of a workers’ average income over the last five (5) years of employment;
b) that the CPP/QPP cover the worker’s spouse at home and cover a person temporarily out of the workforce to are for young children, for the disabled, or for elderly people in need of assistance;
c) that the CPP/QPP provide and adequate pension in the case of voluntary retirement at age 60;
d) that both the federal and provincial laws regulating private sector and public sector workers’ pension plans provide for:
1) full vesting rights for the employee;
2) portability on termination of employment;
3) indexing to the cost of living, which may include a fair interest on funds in the plan;
4) fair coverage for spouses;
5) accountability, by means of an annual financial report to the employees involved, plus an individual report to each employee on his/her personal status in the pension plan.

16. Pensions for Construction Workers (1983)
The CCU supports a policy that provisions be included in the Canada/Québec Pension Plans for workers, who have spent their working lives in the construction industry, to retire at age 60 without penalty.

17. The Forget Commission of Inquiry on Unemployment Insurance (1985)
The CCU supports the concept of universality for Unemployment Insurance. The CCU calls for substantial improvements, including the provision of regular benefits for up to 24 months and maternity benefits for up to six (6) months.

18. Unemployment Insurance (1985)
The CCU demands that the federal government rescinds its decision to include severance and vacation pay and private pension benefits as earnings for the purpose of UIC benefits.

19. RRSP Contributions (1985)
The CCU will lobby the federal government to reinstate the former RRSP tax free contributions for workers in this country who participate in Registered Pension Plans.

20. Unemployment Insurance (1987)
The CCU denounces the majority report of the Forget Commission on UI and in particular:

a) its proposal to pro-rate benefits based on yearly earnings which would hurt 45% of the full-time labour force and 67% of the part-time labour force who work at jobs that do not last a full year;
b) its proposal to make the 15 weeks of UI maternity benefits available to either parent, which is a gross distortion to the demands of the labour and women’s movements to provide an additional 24 weeks of shared parental leave;
c) its failure to recommend a revision of the federal government’s new regulations which use workers’ vacation pay, pension benefits and severance pay to reduce UI benefits;
d) its proposal to reduce employers’ share of UI premium costs and increase the share paid by the workers.
The CCU supports the recommendations of all-party parliamentary committee which proposed improvements in the UI system with the exception of the committee’s proposal to increase the workers’ share of UI premium costs.

21. Unemployment and Guaranteed Annual Income Schemes (1987)
The CCU opposes the minimum income schemes promoted by business groups, the MacDonald Commission, and the Forget Commission and calls instead for a full employment strategy, the maintenance and improvement of universal social programs / social insurance programs, and the immediate reform of existing social welfare programs which now provide inadequate benefits.

22. UI Eligibility Rules (1989)
The CCU will press for changes in the UI Act that would allow a worker with seven (7) consecutive days without pay or work and a worker with five (5) non-consecutive work days without pay or work, to apply for UI benefits.

23. Pension Legislation (1989)
The CCU urges the British Columbia government to form a pension task force, comprised of a least equal numbers of worker representatives, to draft proposed legislation that would protect workers’ interests in their pension plans and advocates this proposal throughout the BC labour movement.

24. Pension Inflation Protection (1989)
The CCU supports full indexation of all public and private pension income to a minimum of 100% of the CPI and urges the federal and provincial governments to implement legislation to this end.

25. Pension Surplus (1989)
The CCU will work towards promoting pension legislation that would disallow any withdrawal of funds or taking of contribution holidays by employers, ensure all pension funds are used exclusively for the benefit of plan members, and ensure all pension funds are managed and administered by committees comprised of a least 50% worker representatives.

26. Pensioners (1989)
The CCU encourages retired unionists to be actively involved in the formation of pensioner’s organizations, and through their participation help develop democratic programs in the interests of their members. The CCU constitute unions will maintain active liaison with retired members, up to and including special sub-committees and joint bargaining.

27. MSP Coverage of Transportation Costs (1989)
The CCU calls on all provincial governments to legislate changes to Medicare that would cover the cost of necessary medical travel from remote regions.

28. Unemployment Insurance (1991)
The CCU calls for the reinstatement of federal government contributions to Unemployment Insurance, which ceased with Bill C-21 in 1990. The CCU will educate its members to the big business push for “experience rating” of Unemployment Insurance premiums which would make it a replica of the American system where benefits are only provided to about one in three jobless Americans.

29. Medicare (1993)
The CCU supports universal, accessible Medicare for every Canadian and will lobby the premiers and leaders of the federal parties supporting increased federal funding for Medicare and the enforcement of standards set by the Canada Health Act.

30. Health Care (1995)
The CCU and all its affiliates join in the struggle against the inhumane deficit reduction policies of the Ontario and federal governments regarding health care. The CCU supports all efforts of those fighting for the well being of Canadian residents and that a letter is sent to the Ontario Premier and the Prime Minister of Canada protesting and condemning those policies which will endanger the health of the people of this country.

31. Protection of Medicare (1995)
The CCU goes on record in support of maintaining our national public health care system. The CCU demands that the federal government act to amend the Canada Health and Social Transfer to ensure that there will always be a federal cash transfer for health care. The CCU supports the demand that the week of October 30 to November 7, 1995 be proclaimed as National Medicare Week.

32. Health Care (1995)
The CCU demands adequate funding to provide for free, universal health care for all residents of Canada.

33. Canada Health and Social Transfer (1995)
The CCU will register its opposition to the Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST) in a letter to the Prime Minister which will include the following points:

a) the CHST be amended to ensure a permanent federal cash transfer;
b) the national standards in the Canada Assistance Plan be incorporated into the CHST;
c) the federal-provincial discussions on the CHST be open to municipalities and members of their communities;
d) the federal government proceed with faire and progressive tax reform.
The CCU endorses the Canadian Health Coalition’s “Ten Goals for Health Care”.

34. Social Services (1995)
The CCU and all its affiliates join in the struggle against the inhumane deficit reduction policies of the Ontario and federal governments regarding social services which will have the most devastating effect on the most vulnerable residents. The CCU urges its affiliates to support all efforts of those fighting for the well being of all Canadians. The CCU will write to Prime Minister Chrétien and encourage its affiliated to write their respective provincial Premiers protesting and condemning the governments’ cutbacks in social services which threaten the very livelihood of the people of this country.

35. Workfare (1995)
The CCU and all affiliates demand that provincial and federal governments protect well-paid, production positions and enhance the health and welfare of Canada by promoting the creation of full-time, paid positions. The CCU opposes the introduction of continuation of any work-for-welfare programs.

36. Unemployment Insurance (1995)
The CCU demands that the federal government cease its attack on our Unemployment Insurance program and implement the following improvements:

a) return the level of benefit to 70% of insurance earnings (where it was prior to 1971 when the attacks to UI began;
b) a return to a uniform entrance requirement of 10 weeks for all workers in Canada (instead of the unfair and complicated program of different requirements for different regions);
c) the elimination of the treatment of severance and vacation pay as earnings;
d) that the government return to its policy of funding the costs of UI which stem from regional or national unemployment rates that exceed 4%;
e) the elimination of funds for training coming out of the UI fund.
The CCU demands that the government live up to its election promise of job creation by developing and implementing a job creation and job security strategy for Canada.

37. Public Services (1997)
The CCU will promote the positive value of the public sector and services provided and lobby both the federal and provincial governments accordingly.

39. Solidarity Network (2003)
The CCU/CSC has supported the Solidarity Network and its predecessor, the Action Canada Network for many years. The will continue to support the Solidarity Network at $400 per month, subject to review by the Executive Board at its meetings throughout the year.

40. Financial Support (2003)
The CCU/CSC is a group of independent unions and organizing other independent unions is a goal of this organization. The Executive Board will carefully consider any requests for financial support from member unions and other groups who are organizing workers into an independent, democratically-run union.

41. Common Frontiers (2003)
The CCU/CSC has been donating $60 per month to the Common Frontiers and agrees to increase its support to $100 per month, subject to review by the Executive Board at its meetings throughout the year.

42. Maquila Solidarity Network (2003)
The CCU/CSC has supported the Maquila Solidarity Network for many years and will continue to support the Maquila Solidarity Network at $100 per quarter year, subject to review by the Executive Board at its meetings throughout the year.

43. Council of Canadians (2003)
The CCU/CSC has been a member of the Council of Canadians for many years. The Council of Canadian is continuing its important work as a civil society group critiquing developments which may adversely affect Canadians (such as water exports, the unregulated introduction of genetically modified wheat strains, trade agreements which undermine Canadian sovereignty and our ability to preserve our environment). The CCU/CSC will continue to be a member of the Council of Canadians, subject to review of finances by Executive Board.

44. Common Front on the World Trade Organization (2003)
The CCU/CSC has been an active member of the Common Front on the World Trade Organization, therefore, the CCU/CSC will continue to participate in the CFWTO meetings, subject to review by Executive Board at its meetings throughout the year.

45. National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC) (2003)
The CCU/CSC has been a member organization of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC) for many years. The CCU/CSC has been an advocate for equal pay for work of equal value, and advocates for respect for the rights of all people The CCU/CSC will continue to be a member of NAC, subject to review of finances by Executive Board.

46. National Anti-Poverty Organization (NAPO) (2003)
The CCU/CSC has been a member of the National Anti-Poverty Organization (NAPO) for many years. Poverty continues to be a major problem in Canada. The CCU/CSC will continue to be a member of NAPO, subject to review of finances by the Executive Board.

47. Ontario Coalition against Poverty (OCAP) (2003)
The CCU/CSC has supported the Ontario Coalition against Poverty (OCAP) by a $500.00 donation in February 2003. OCAP continues to be a vocal advocate for the poor in Ontario. OCAP leaders have been targeted by law enforcement agencies and a retrial has been ordered for John Clarke on charges of encouraging a riot in 2000 at Queen’s Park in Toronto. The CCU/CSC offers written support to OCAP and donates to OCAP to help defray the expenses of the retrial, the amount to be determined by Executive Board after review of finances.

48. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (2003)
The CCU/CSC has become a member of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives ($500);
The CCPA promotes policies that would enhance conditions for working people in Canada. The CCU/CSC will continue to be a member of the CCPA, subject to review of finances by the Executive Board.

49. The Gathering Place (2003)
The CCU/CSC has made donations to The Gathering Place when our Executive Board meetings have been held in Vancouver. The Gathering Place provides sorely needed counseling, food, clothing, and facilities such as showers and laundry machines which allow people to be fed, and to be clean. It is recognized that people using the services provided by The Gathering Place come to Vancouver from all over British Columbia and Canada;
The people seeking help at The Gathering Place are fellow human beings who are without work and/or shelter. The CCU/CSC will continue to donate to The Gathering Place, the amount to be determined by Executive Board after review of CCU/CSC finances.

50. Minimum Wage (2003)
The CCU/CSC lobby the Ontario government to increase the minimum wage to $10 per hour and to index the minimum wage to the cost of living and demands that the Ontario government immediately increase the shelter portion of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Programme benefits to the average Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation rent levels. The CCU/CSC also demands that the Ontario government index social assistance to the cost of living and distributes the anti-poverty petitions of the Ontario Coalition for Social Justice to our members for signature.

51. Support the Council of Canadians (2003)
The CCU/CSC has been a member of the Council of Canadians for many years. The CCU/CSC uses materials developed by the Council for education of our membership. The CCU/CSC will continue to support the Council of Canadians by paying an annual membership fee, and by making donations when possible, as well as participating when possible at the annual meeting of the organisation and by passing the information to all the affiliates.

52. Panhandle (2005)
The CCU/CSC ask the provincial and the municipal governments to address real issues rather than use police forces and the law to attack the poor and mentally ill who are forced to panhandle.

53. Publications (2005)
Provided that the CCU/CSC finances permit, the CCU/CSC promote unionism and membership in the CCU/CSC, and at the same time assist those in poverty, by periodically taking advertisements in publications such as Halifax’s Street Feat.

54. Pension Plan Support (2013)
The CCU/CSC will support COTU/SCTT by means of letters and/or representation to the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions in the pension plan struggle that COTU/SCTT is facing. In the event that their file is brought in front of the OSFI.

55. Child Poverty (2015)
The CCU/CSC continues to urge all levels of government to remember the vow they took in 1989 to end child poverty, and take immediate action to eradicate the suffering of children by providing adequate levels of funding, affordable housing and creating other socially conscious initiatives to end this unneeded and unforgivable pain and suffering by Canadian children.

56. Minimum Wage (2017)
The CCU/CSC supports the fight to increase minimum wage levels across all provinces and territories in Canada, and strongly advocates for a living wage for all Canadians.

57. Universal Prescription Coverage (2017)
The CCU/CSC will encourage universal prescription, drug and dental coverage for all Canadians.

13 FINANCE AND FINANCIALS

1. Officer Signing Authority (2017)
All cheques, all invoices for payment, and all legally binding contractual documents shall require the signature of any two of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and/or Treasurer before payment can be issued.