Trudeau tries to win the labour vote, makes speech to Unifor
Posted August 24, 2016 11:20 am.
Last Updated August 24, 2016 11:33 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making his pitch to the labour movement, giving a speech today at the convention of Unifor, the country’s largest private sector union.
He received a standing ovation from the delegates as he arrived and started his speech by saying he wants to repair relations with Canadian workers. “October 19th marked the start of a new era in labour relations with the federal government.”
Trudeau spoke about following through on many election promises unions were calling for, and said if all goes to plan, this fall his government will pass Bill C-4. “Officially repealing the oppressive anti-union legislation introduced by that Conservative government.”
“The labour movement has been essential to building a stronger economy, one that’s centered on the principles of fairness and inclusion,” added Trudeau. “You hold employers to account, and that includes my government. You fight for the interests of the middle class, and you demonstrate a sense of community in everything you do.”
However, the Conservatives may try to block those efforts in the Senate. Meantime, the support Trudeau is receiving from unions may be worrisome to the NDP which has traditionally been seen as the party for labour.
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers in every sector of the economy.
