VLC submits the following resolutions to the 2026 CLC Convention
Unite the House of Labour
Whereas The presence of unions outside the Canadian Labour Congress weakens the unity and collective power of the labour movement in Canada;
Whereas A divided labour movement undermines our ability to confront growing attacks on workers’ rights, privatization, and anti-union legislation;
Whereas Solidarity among all unions is critical to advancing bold working-class issues, including fair wages, workplace justice, and social equity;
Whereas Different segments of government and political parties are attempted to drive a wedge in the labour movement;
Therefore be it resolved that the CLC Expedite the affiliation and re-affiliation of unions and find concrete ways to bring non-affiliated unions back into the House of Labour
Therefore be it further resolved that the CLC commit to working with affiliated and non-affiliated unions to build a stronger, more united labour movement capable of defending the rights of all workers in Canada.
Therefore be it further resolved that the CLC report back regularly to all affiliates on efforts to unite the house of labour, as laid out above.
Softwood Lumber Industry
Whereas BC has seen a wave of softwood lumber mill closures and job losses in 2025-2026;
Whereas there is a structural crisis facing this industry because corporate domination of the forestry sector prioritizes profit and exports while sacrificing jobs and the environment, leading to vulnerability to US tariffs;
Therefore be it resolved that the CLC demand the federal government put the softwood lumber industry under public ownership and democratic control with Indigenous participation;
Therefore be it further resolved that the CLC call on the government to use industrial planning, not market forces, to maintain regional employment and to protect incomes of displaced workers;
Therefore be it further resolved that the CLC develop educational resources for affiliates to educate their members on nationalization and help develop local campaigns that call for nationalization of key industries;
Therefore be it further resolved that the CLC work with other in the labour movement to study the viability of a nationalized softwood lumber industry with an expanded secondary value-added manufacturing and rebuilt domestic supply chains.
Trade that Puts Workers First
Whereas Corporate trade deals like the USMCA, NAFTA and Canada-US FTA have been proven to increase private profits and corporate concentration at the expense of jobs, wages, labour rights, environmental security and sovereignty;
Whereas The CLC recently called for “a workers-first trade policy that preserves and expands Canadian jobs, strengthens domestic industry, and regulatory space to invest in domestic manufacturing, supply-chain resilience and future industries;”
Therefore the CLC will Call for Canada to get out of corporate trade deals like the USMCA and to pursue mutually beneficial trade policies with the world, based on full employment, respect for Indigenous rights and environmental protection; and
Therefore be it further resolved that the CLC engage affiliates, provincial federations and labour councils in a cross-country campaign to mobilize all workers in the struggle for trade policies that truly put workers first.
