UFCW Canada Political Action: Building a Better Life for Workers

Vote for a strong recovery that supports all workers!

This September 20, UFCW Canada members and our families can help build an equitable and inclusive post-pandemic recovery that supports all Canadian workers.

UFCW Canada represents thousands of frontline workers across this country. Our members weathered this pandemic and continue to play an important role in keeping several businesses and organizations going. This includes the food retail and service, meat processing, long-term care and home care, manufacturing, and security industries.

What has been clear throughout this global health crisis is that we need more than just an acknowledgement of our contributions as workers. We also need safe and healthy working conditions, as well as comprehensive supports to help us recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

For this election, we need a change in government. We need a government that will recognize the ways in which Indigenous, Black, racialized, and low-income communities are uniquely affected by this pandemic.

We need a government, with political leaders, who are bold enough to set an example of what equitable access to decent work and quality public services can look like across this country.

Vote for Affordability and Good Jobs

Many people are struggling to find secure and full-time jobs with benefits. Many find themselves working multiple precarious jobs and gig work just to make ends meet. This struggle has been deepened by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of over 2 million jobs. Canada’s economic recovery plan must prioritize the everyday Canadian with public investments that can help create decent unionized jobs, as well as programs that provide adequate support for workers who need it most.

Vote for Strong Public Health Care

Canadian families are grappling with the rising costs of prescription drugs as many do not have access to workplace or private benefits to help cover these costs. Additionally, with the urgent need to keep our seniors safe and well cared for, it is important for us to prioritize long-term care and ensure it is a part of our public health care system. It is time for us to vote for a government that puts family health first. By providing universal pharmacare and adequate long-term care for our seniors, we can elect a government that will ensure people do not have to choose between their health and other necessities.

Vote to Eliminate Poverty and Social Inequality

The impacts of COVID-19 continue to highlight the different ways in which workers across our country experience poverty and social inequality. As such, the priorities of Canadian workers have changed drastically, as many look towards securing a social safety net that can keep communities strong. Workers need less barriers in accessing Employment Insurance and we need a plan for a universal and affordable childcare. Together, let’s vote for a government that is unafraid to push for aid programs to be extended or expanded further to meet our needs.

Vote for Climate Change Action

With the increase in wildfires in Canada’s west and the detrimental effects of the climate crisis affecting the lives of many around the world, taking action on climate change has become a top concern for working Canadians. Workers need a government that will secure public investments that can generate decent jobs, while ensuring that Canada meets its climate change targets. Canadian workers need a green future that does not leave anyone behind!

Vote for Affordable Housing

The Parliamentary Budget Officer has recently reported that less than half of the funding dedicated to the strategy to encourage the building of more affordable homes and rental housing in Canada has been spent. This has become an urgent issue as affordable housing options grows scarce during the pandemic and will continue to do so within the next five years. United, we can elect a new government that will recognize affordable housing as a right and will commit to ensuring that workers can access affordable rental accommodations and affordable home ownership!