Canada’s unions continue to fight against transphobic violence
Every year on Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR), we mourn the lives of trans and gender‑diverse people who were killed due to transphobic violence and hate. Canada’s unions mark TDOR by highlighting our continued commitment to fighting transphobic violence and harassment at work and in our communities.
“Canada’s labour movement will always advocate for the end of all forms of gender‑based violence. This includes ending the vile targeting of trans communities across Canada from far-right groups and irresponsible politicians who fear monger and drive hate, in an attempt to undermine human dignity and human rights,” declared Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.
Over the last few years, there has been a steady and alarming rise in transphobic violence and harassment across Canada. Statistics Canada’s most recent survey on the experiences of violent victimization found that trans people in Canada were more likely to experience violence and inappropriate behaviors in public, online and at work than cisgender people.
Canada’s unions have long been on the front lines of combatting all forms of gender‑based violence and harassment through our advocacy work in both the domestic and global context.
- In 2022, the CLC launched a national survey report on harassment and violence in the workplace that found 73% of gender-diverse respondents stated they had experienced sexual harassment and violence in the last two years. Since then, the CLC has called for concrete action from our federal government to address third party violence and harassment in the world of work through a tripartite process that brings employers, unions and governments together to develop a national strategy that addresses this urgent crisis.
- In 2023, unions celebrated Canada’s ratification of ILO C-190, the international convention asserting the right of all workers to a world of work free of all forms of gender-based violence. However there has been little progress achieved since then, and unions continue to urge our federal government to work with provincial and territorial counterparts and fully implement this convention as part of a comprehensive National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence in Canada.
“Whether it is on Parliament Hill, at the legislature, in the workplace or in our communities, Canada’s unions will always fight against transphobic violence and harassment for a world of work and a society free of gender-based violence for all,” said Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive Vice-President.
Take Action:
You can take action to mark TDOR by committing to trans inclusion in your workplace. Check out this CLC resource to support your efforts:
