WINNIPEG, MB \u2014\u00a0As rising inequality, affordability pressures, and political alienation fuel the growth of extremism in Canada and around the world, more than 2,000 delegates to the 2026 Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress have adopted a sweeping action plan to rebuild democratic participation, strengthen working-class political power and confront authoritarian politics.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The action plan recognizes that growing insecurity, declining trust in institutions and frustration with politics have created fertile ground for anti-democratic and extremist movements.\u00a0The plan\u00a0argues\u00a0that strengthening economic security, fighting inequality, and\u00a0expanding democratic participation are essential to building a healthy, inclusive, and resilient democracy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen workers feel ignored, insecure, and shut out of political and economic\u00a0
decision-making, extremism fills the vacuum,\u201d said Bea Bruske. \u201cThis plan is about rebuilding democratic participation from the ground up by strengthening workers\u2019 voices, raising living standards, and ensuring ordinary people have real power in shaping Canada\u2019s future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The action plan commits Canada\u2019s unions to advancing a good jobs strategy at the core of a broader democratic agenda to combat growing disaffection with politics and the rise of extremist political activity. It champions worker-centred economics, an affordability agenda, and steadily rising working-class living standards.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Canada\u2019s unions will continue to demand tax fairness,\u00a0and\u00a0expand public investment, including investment in public services, and concrete measures to reduce inequality and insecurity as part of a broader effort to address political frustration and alienation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The action plan also commits the labour movement to revitalizing democratic participation and accountability through greater transparency, civic engagement, and political participation\u00a0and representation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Delegates\u00a0are\u00a0further committed to intensifying efforts to organize and mobilize workers politically, defend collective bargaining and the right to strike.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The plan calls for stronger protections for human and labour rights in global supply chains, worker-centred trade policies, and continued solidarity with workers and social movements fighting for democracy, equality, and human rights around the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDemocracy cannot survive when working people are left behind,\u201d said Bruske. \u201cCanada\u2019s unions are committed to building a country where workers have security, dignity, and a real voice in shaping the future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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