Publications

Hearts & minds of activists to galvanize national convention of retirees

With a Federal election nearly one year away delegates from throughout the country are now making their way to Toronto for the biennial convention of the Congress of Union Retirees (CURC). As seniors are soon expected to outnumber 14-year-olds for the first time — reaching 23% of the Canadian population — the issues to deal with loom large for delegates…

Don Wright honoured with CURC Award

Don Wright, a founding member of the Toronto and York Area Council of CURC received the CURC Award at our 2013 Convention. Don has been an activist for social justice throughout his adult life. He has raised funds for the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) and the NDP among others. The CURC Award is presented at every convention to honour a…

Ed Broadbent on Unions and Inequality

By Ed Broadbent Editor’s note: the following are notes for a speech by Ed Broadbent at CURC’s 11th Constitutional Convention in Ottawa, October 22, 2013. Retired federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent, now chair of the Broadbent Institute, answers a question at CURC’s convention, Oct. 22, 2013. CLC Secretary-Treasurer Hassan Yussuff looks on. Thank you for the invitation to speak today…

CURC holds largest ever convention

The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada marked its 20th Anniversary with its largest convention ever. The opening night panel featured Ed Broadbent and Hassan Yussuff. It was webcast in both English and French. Six hundred people followed on line and submitted questions. Videos of presentations by Broadbent and Yussuff will be posted on the CURC website. The Convention was…

Union retirees meet to talk election issues

Union retirees from across Canada will talk about the issues facing retirees and senior citizens when they gather in Ottawa, October 22nd to the 25th for the Eleventh Constitutional Convention of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada. CURC, acts as an advocacy group on behalf of union retirees and senior citizens. The theme for this year’s convention is Retirees:…

CURC commits to continuing pension fight

CURC will continue to fight for fair pensions for all Canadians, more than 100 delegates to the 10th Constitutional Convention unanimously decided. Delegates ratified a motion from the Ottawa Area Council which commits our Congress to: continue to support the Canadian Labour Congress “Retirement Security for Everyone” campaign, which seeks to double benefits from the Canada/Quebec pension plans, lobby to increase…

Innovative technique gets everyone involved in debate

It’s a technique that hasn’t often been tried in the labour movement, but it’s one that will probably be repeated. Organized by CURC Vice-President Len Hope, the “New York café” added a touch of the coffeehouse to our 10th Constitutional Convention. It’s also called by other names, but the idea is the same. Instead of sitting at their seats facing the…

CURC resolutions address retiree concerns

Resolutions passed at CURC’s 10th Constitutional Convention addressed a wide range of retiree concerns. Submitted by CURC affiliates from coast to coast, the resolutions committed CURC to: • lobby the government to provide full disclosure of items being negotiated in the Canada-Europe Trade Agreement (CETA) and in conjunction with other retirees’ organizations, will oppose any provisions of CETA that would…

Pensioners bear the brunt of corporate bankruptcy

When a company goes bankrupt, it’s often workers who are left in the lurch. Three different speakers outlined two approaches to facing the loss of pensions and benefits which comes with a bankrupt company at CURC’s 10th Constitutional Convention in Port Elgin ON. Members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) have launched a fight to change Canada’s…

Home-care panel urges fight for public system

Being able to live at home is one of the most important determinants of the quality of life for seniors, and Canadians must be prepared to fight for quality home care to help them do that, panelists at the home-care forum at CURC’s 10th Constitutional Convention agreed. Creeping privatization threatens our standard of living as we age, but Canadians can fight…