The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister Carney,
On behalf of the Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), the largest association of independent labour unions in the country, I extend our congratulations on your recent election victory and the Liberal Party’s renewed mandate to govern. The results of the federal election reflect the trust and hope Canadians have placed in your leadership and your vision for a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive Canada.
We were particularly encouraged by your unwavering stance against the unfair trade threats and aggressive tariff policies pursued by US President Donald Trump. Your defence of Canadian sovereignty and economic interests during these challenging negotiations was not only commendable—it was necessary. By standing up to protectionist bullying and defending our industries, workers, and democratic institutions, you affirmed Canada’s independence on the world stage.
We have a historic opportunity to deliver meaningful change for working people across the country. Your government campaigned on ambitious and long-overdue commitments to invest in the social programs that Canadians need and deserve. The CCU urges you to fully deliver on these promises.
Foremost among these is the implementation of a universal, single-payer Pharmacare program. For decades, the lack of publicly funded prescription drug coverage has left millions of Canadians—especially low-income families and seniors—at risk. The time for studies and half-measures has passed. Canadians need Pharmacare now. We strongly encourage your government to follow through on its promises and fully implement a national Pharmacare plan in partnership with provinces and territories, ensuring that no Canadian is denied essential medication because of their income or employment status.
We also commend the Liberal Party’s commitment to expanding the national dental care program. Oral health is not a luxury. It is a vital part of overall health. For too long, working-class and marginalized Canadians have suffered in silence due to the prohibitive cost of dental care. Extending coverage to low- and middle-income families will not only improve public health outcomes but also reduce inequities and ensure dignity for millions.
Affordable, high-quality child care and housing must remain at the top of your government’s agenda. Parents, especially women, cannot fully participate in the workforce without accessible child care options. Your government’s investments in child care affordability are a welcome step forward, and we call on you to continue building a universal, publicly funded early learning and child care system that supports children’s development and working families from coast to coast to coast.
150,000 affordable spaces have been created so far, but additional spending must be implemented for your government to achieve its promise of 250,000 new affordable spaces by March 2025.
Housing affordability, meanwhile, has reached crisis levels. Rents and home prices continue to soar while wages remain largely stagnant, pushing countless families to the brink. We urge your government to accelerate the construction of non-profit, co-operative, and publicly funded housing, alongside meaningful rent controls and protections for tenants. Housing is a human right, and bold action is needed to realize that right for all Canadians.
These social investments are not just expenditures. They are nation-building projects that reflect the values of fairness, compassion, and collective well-being. They will also help to reduce inequality, increase productivity, and ensure a more resilient economy in the years ahead.
As you move forward with these priorities, we also ask that your government uphold the rights of workers and protect good union jobs. In particular, the Confederation of Canadian Unions urges your government to allow the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post to freely negotiate a new collective agreement that ensures fair wages, decent benefits, and job security.
CUPW members provide essential services to communities across the country—rural and urban alike. They deserve a respectful, transparent, and fair bargaining process, free from political interference or threats of back-to-work legislation. The right to free collective bargaining is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy and must be respected at every level of government.
Your leadership brings a renewed sense of optimism, but it also comes with great responsibility. Millions of working-class Canadians who cast their votes for the Liberal Party did so with the belief that your government would be different—that you would follow through on your promises and put people before profits. The CCU stands ready to work with your government in that spirit. We are committed to advancing policies that benefit working families, strengthen public services, and create a more just and equitable society.
I look forward to the opportunity to meet with you or your representatives to discuss how the federal government and labour unions can collaborate more effectively in pursuit of our shared goals. Together, we can build a country where every Canadian, regardless of income, can live a life of dignity, opportunity, and hope.
Once again, congratulations on your victory. We wish you wisdom, courage, and resolve as you lead Canada into a bright and promising future.
Sincerely,
Gregory Ball
President, Confederation of Canadian Unions
ccu-csc.ca
president@ccu-csc.ca
