Ottawa lobby day advanced key national labour issues

Society President Scott Travers participated in a Canadian Labour Congress lobby day on Parliament Hill to speak with Ontario representatives about key national labour issues.

Travers joined the lobby day in his capacity as IFPTE’s Canadian Area Vice President.

The lobby day focused on three issues: stopping the Trans-Pacific Partnership, expanding CPP for every single worker in Canada, and implementing a comprehensive ban on asbestos in Canada to protect the health and safety of workers.

Joined by Society External Relations Officer Mike Belmore, the two met with five members of parliament, including representatives from the Liberals, New Democrats and Conservatives.

“I sensed an interest from each of the MPs in the issues we were bringing forward,” said Belmore. “We had constructive discussions and I think decision-makers now have a better understanding of why we have to stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal because of the harm it will do to the average working professional in Canada.”

The lobby day coincided with the CLC’s Canada Council meeting, which is comprised of national union leaders. As the IFPTE’s Canada Area VP, Society President Scott Travers represented all Canadian IFPTE locals at that meeting.

The Canada Council guides the CLC’s decisions on key campaigns and ensures the labour movement maintains a sharp focus on issues affecting working people. At the meeting the Council decided that its committee that monitors important legal cases would add The Society’s Charter challenge regarding Legal Aid Ontario lawyers’ right to join a union to the list of cases it follows and reports on.