Friday, October 10, 2025

Steady Growth, Steady Work

CLAC’s membership in Ontario and Manitoba continues to increase, as does the union’s advocacy for members.

By Ian DeWaard, Ontario and Manitoba Director

Ontario Healthcare
At the Village of Wentworth Heights, CLAC is advancing efforts to recover an estimated $400,000 in dues that Unifor overcharged its members in the years leading up to the switch to CLAC in 2024. CLAC initiated a coordinated letter-writing campaign addressed to Unifor leadership and has retained a law firm to initiate a joint action in civil court on behalf of these workers.

In May, 25 staff and stewards participated in CLAC’s third annual Healthcare Lobby Day (pictured above). The delegation took 18 meetings with MPPs and their staff and hosted a luncheon. Our delegation was also recognized on the floor at Queen’s Park.

Key issues addressed included the lack of WSIB coverage for retirement home workers, unfair or nonexistent pay for homecare workers during travel between clients, the growing wage disparity in long term care homes relative to hospitals, and the need for better violence prevention training for hands-on care workers.

The Ontario government’s Bill 13 will raise consequences and cause personal liability for workers in long term care who are charged with abuse or neglect of care. While CLAC supports efforts to provide safe and secure conditions for residents, workers need reasonable protection. Even trivial matters such as being late can be characterized as “abuse.” The union is planning a submission to the government on this bill.

Ontario Construction
As part of its ongoing effort to support a growing number of Indigenous members in northern Ontario and to promote our union there, CLAC has been sponsoring and attending numerous community and Indigenous conferences. We published an op-ed on why early and sound labour relations strategies on major projects are crucial to meaningful economic reconciliation with First Nations peoples.

CLAC recently received two Skills Development Fund grants totalling $1 million, which will fund the union’s Group Sponsorship Program and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. Both of these programs are helping current and new apprentices with assessments, support, and training to help workers navigate through Ontario’s apprenticeship programs.

Ontario Volunteer Firefighters
For several years, CLAC has been advocating for a provincial volunteer firefighter tax credit that mirrors the federal government’s credit and aligns with tax relief offered by every other province. This year, the message seems to be gaining traction. The union is also using its seat at the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Strategy Table to garner support for the proposal.

Manitoba
In its recent budget, the Manitoba government heralded an upcoming Manitoba Jobs Agreement, which it claims will result in “good union jobs” on projects like Phase 2 of Winnipeg’s North End Water Pollution Control Centre. CLAC has written to the province asking to be a consulted stakeholder so that we can provide input on this initiative. Members have been heavily employed on Phase I of that same project and on other major infrastructure projects throughout the province.

In late April, we held a one-day conference attended by over 30 stewards and staff. This event provided valuable training and networking opportunities for stewards while reinforcing CLAC’s commitment to supporting its members across the province.

Steady Growth, Steady Work

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