From June 25-27, Canada will host the G8 and G20 Summits. These events present a unique opportunity for Canadians from all walks of life to make their voices heard. It is a moment for Canadians to join collectively, with people across the globe, to tell the Canadian government and world leaders that in these troubled times: people deserve better!

Some of the key issues labour wants addressed are:

Global Economic and Financial Crisis

In September 2008, the global economy crashed and while the banks are on the road to recovery, working people continue to bear the heaviest burden of the down turn. Unemployment is soaring, pension funds are evaporating and workers are suffering huge cuts in personal income.

Canada’s politicians may be claiming a period of recovery but for the majority of countries worldwide, the situation is still dire. In the North and South, millions of people have lost their savings, their livelihoods and their homes, and women, youth and migrant workers are particularly vulnerable.

Development and Poverty

In 2000, all 192 United Nations member states pledged to meet eight Millennium Development Goals by 2015. These goals assign targets to reduce poverty and hunger; provide universal primary education; promote gender equality; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and create a global partnership for development.

The crisis is fast extinguishing hope of achieving the Millennium Development Goals and nationally agreed development objectives, especially in low-income countries, where the International Labour Organization estimates that 100 million men and women have fallen into absolute poverty in the last year.

In Muskoka, the G8 priority must be to set a path, through the accountability framework, towards addressing the gap between stated commitments and necessary actions to put the MDGs back on track. With just five years remaining until the MDG target date of 2015, the summit will mark a critical moment for G8 governments to take stock of progress and make an all-out effort to address the most glaring gaps and shortfalls in reaching their targets.

Climate Change

The immediate impacts of climate change will target the poorest and most vulnerable people. It will certainly also have effects on employment. Measures taken to combat climate change, in particular those aiming at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while crucial, will require important transformations in the world of work, and generate opportunities and challenges for workers and trade unions.

Trade unions are committed to call on all governments, in priority, those in developed countries and major economies in the developing world, to firmly commit to emission reductions.

Women take the lead

Women will gather at the Sir John A MacDonald statue on the south part of the Queens Park lawn, to give voice to the impact of G8 and G20 decisions on women. Take the lead for maternal health with full reproductive rights, for an end to women’s poverty, for women’s equality at home and globally!

People First!
We Deserve Better!

This family friendly event is for all supporters. Invite all your friends to come to the rally and march this summer.

The march will begin at Queen’s Park and head south on University Avenue to as far as permitted, then heads west to Spadina Avenue, then heads north to College Street, then heads east back to Queen’s Park.