Canada’s largest labour organization is calling on the federal government to focus Budget 2025 on job creation through infrastructure investment rather than spending cuts or tax breaks for corporations.
The Canadian Labour Congress released its budget recommendations on Oct. 31, outlining priorities that include public housing construction, transit projects, and expanded child care—all tied to requirements for union jobs and Canadian procurement. The proposals come as the organization warns against austerity measures that would affect workers and public services.
“Workers are doing their part to hold this country together, our elbows are up, but they’re being squeezed from every direction,” said Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress. “This budget must invest in people and infrastructure.”
The CLC represents more than 3 million workers across Canada.
Infrastructure and procurement conditions
The organization is pushing for federal investment in municipal and provincial projects, including housing, schools, transportation, public health facilities, and child care centres. According to the CLC, any federal funding should require projects to create union jobs, use Canadian suppliers, and keep employment in Canada long-term.
“Blank cheques to corporations won’t solve the crises we face,” said Bruske. “Public dollars must deliver public good–good jobs, good wages, and the services working families rely on.”
The group also wants Budget 2025 to expand early learning and child care programs and increase funding for pharmacare and long-term care facilities.
Employment insurance changes
The CLC is calling for changes to the Employment Insurance program, including restored federal contributions, improved benefits, and lower eligibility requirements. The organization says the changes would help workers during economic downturns.
The group also wants a net-zero industrial strategy that includes investments in clean energy, manufacturing, and building retrofits, with transition support for workers in high-emission industries.
Tax policy recommendations
The organization says revenue should come from higher earners and corporations rather than service cuts. Its tax proposals include public country-by-country reporting for multinational companies, maintaining the Digital Services Tax, and increasing the capital gains inclusion rate.
The CLC also recommends introducing wealth and windfall profit taxes, and increasing funding for the Canada Revenue Agency to enforce tax compliance.
“Workers shouldn’t be asked to carry the burden of recovery while corporations hoard record profits,” said Bruske.
Housing measures
On housing, the organization wants taxes on house-flipping and vacant properties to address what it calls financial speculation in real estate. The CLC is also calling for direct federal funding to build non-market affordable housing, including social housing and co-operatives.
The group specifically highlighted the need for housing options for Indigenous peoples, domestic violence survivors, and people with disabilities.
Bruske warned that cutting spending to balance the budget would deepen inequality and slow economic recovery. “Any move to shore up Canada’s finances must be done fairly,” she said. “That means asking those who’ve made record profits and amassed the most wealth to pay their share–not cutting services or putting the squeeze on workers.”
