Canada’s unions urge the government to take action to help end the crisis in Gaza

In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske urges the federal government to move beyond statements and take immediate action to help end the violence in Gaza and advance a just and lasting peace.

Canada has a responsibility to stand up for international law, human rights, and the dignity of all people. That means recognizing Palestinian statehood, supporting a two-way arms embargo, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid, and ending trade with illegal Israeli settlements.

Workers in Canada expect their government to show leadership rooted in justice, accountability, and peace.

Read the full letter below:

Dear Prime Minister Carney,

Re: Gaza

On behalf of the Canadian Labour Congress and the more than three million workers we represent, I want to commend you for your recent joint statement with the leaders of France and the United Kingdom calling for a complete stop to military operations in Gaza and the immediate facilitation of humanitarian aid. In a moment of immense human suffering and growing global instability, it is good to see Canada recommit itself to the principles of international law, human dignity, and peace.

Words matter, and your statement was an important signal. But words must be followed by concrete action.

We urge your government to build on this moment by taking the following steps:

• Recognize Palestinian statehood: Canada has long supported a two-state solution, and recognition of Palestinian statehood is a necessary step toward making that vision a reality.
• Support a two-way arms embargo: The violence and suffering will not end if weapons continue to flow into the region. Canada must support an immediate two-way arms embargo to stop fueling the conflict. We urge the government to work with trade unions representing workers in the impacted arms and technology industries to develop a just transition plan to secure their livelihoods.
• Continue funding UN agencies, including UNRWA: Humanitarian agencies need immediate, unrestricted access to Gaza. Canada should encourage allies to renew and increase support to UNRWA and other UN bodies to deliver life-saving aid to civilians who are facing starvation, displacement, and disease.
• Impose targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for violations of international law and human rights. Canada must apply a consistent and principled approach to accountability, no matter the actor.
• Cancel the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) and prohibit all trade with illegal Israeli settlements. The CLC has long called for a ban on goods produced in Israeli settlements and for mandatory labeling to distinguish such goods from those made within Israel’s internationally recognized borders.

Beyond these urgent measures, we call on you to coordinate international leadership to:

• Secure a permanent ceasefire;
• Ensure the immediate release of all remaining Israeli hostages, and the bodies of those that have tragically passed away;
• Reaffirm unwavering support for a negotiated two-state solution as the only path to lasting peace and stability; and
• Reopen the Israeli labour market to Palestinian workers, and advocate that back wages be paid to the more than 200,000 affected workers.

Prime Minister, Canada has an opportunity and a responsibility to be a voice for peace. In times of conflict, our commitment to diplomacy, international law, and human rights must guide our actions toward a just and lasting resolution.

Yours sincerely,

Bea Bruske
President