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TORONTO, ONTARIO, May 22, 2008 – Thousands of workers and union activists from across Canada will gather at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) from May 26 to May 30 to set the next three-year course for the country’s largest democratic and popular organization, the Canadian Labour Congress.
More than 2,000 delegates from workplaces, guests from the labour movement around the world, and numerous observers are expected to converge for five days of debate, discussion, deliberation and demonstration, with one goal in mind: how to improve the quality of life of Canada’s working people and their families. The event’s theme is: Unions! Now more than ever!
“The work that people do at our triennial congresses results in real change for everyday working people, their families and their communities. Our theme speaks to the accomplishments of the past while putting the focus on the fact that unions make a difference when it comes to wages, health and safety, equality and a better deal from the boss. More Canadians will be better off than they are today if they have a union in their corner at work tomorrow,” said Ken Georgetti, President, Canadian Labour Congress.
The program will include strategic policy sessions focusing on ways to improve the quality of life of workers, their families and their communities – including government action on jobs creation, women’s economic equality, a public pharmacare program, and growing the number of Canadians covered by a collective agreement at work.
Key speakers at the three-day gathering will include Phil Fontaine, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations; Mike McCracken, President of Infometrica; Armine Yalnizyan, of the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto; Lorne Calvert, Saskatchewan NDP Leader; Marie-Claude Prémont, Law Professor and noted public health care advocate on Pharmacare; Jack Layton, federal NDP Leader; and, Sharan Burrow, President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
“We are very pleased to be chosen to host this important gathering of Canada's labour movement ,” said Barry Smith, President and CEO of the MTCC. “The labour movement has made a great difference to millions of workers and their families over the years.” The MTCC anticipates this convention will produce significant revenue for Toronto’s hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, with an overall economic impact of approximately $.7 million in direct spending.
About the CLC
The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 3.2 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada’s national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 130 district labour councils. For more information please visit the CLC Web site at www.canadianlabour.ca.
About the MTCC
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is Canada's #1 convention and trade show facility. Since its opening in 1984, the MTCC has hosted approximately 12,000 events and entertained nearly 40 million guests. For further information, please visit www.mtccc.com.
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For Further Information Please Contact:
Christine Chiu Jeff Atkinson
Marketing Manager National Representative (Communications)
MTCC Canadian Labour Congress
(416) 585-8106 (613) 526-7425, or (613) 863-1413
cchiu@mtccc.com communications@clc-ctc.ca
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