The 2018 federal budget – released Tuesday – centred around “Equality + Growth” and contained a moderate commitment to both. The budget plan delivers noteworthy progress in several priority areas for Canada’s unions.
The Canadian Labour Congress, which represents 3.3 million Canadian workers, today released a detailed budget analysis, which outlines the commitments on important issues for working Canadians.
This budget provides initial steps forward toward national pharmacare and pay equity in the federal jurisdiction, dedicated parental leave for male and non-birthing partners, action to assist seasonal Employment Insurance (EI) claimants, support for victims of domestic violence, more help for workers seeking unpaid wages from insolvent employers, and Just Transition funds for workers and communities affected by climate change policy.
However the budget’s failure to offer an expanded commitment to early learning and child care weakened the its consistent gender equity focus. The limited movement on protection for pensioners and pension plan members in the restructuring and bankruptcy process, and limited progress on the government’s tax fairness commitments also detracted from the budget’s equity goals.