A recession triggered by tariffs will be widespread and deeply felt.

Tariffs are destabilizing the economy and causing many employers to layoff staff and cut hours. Many businesses are at risk of losing their customer base as workers cut back on spending and prices rise because tariffs are making everything more expensive.

Those in low-wage, precarious employment or who have precarious immigration status will be particularly vulnerable. But no matter who we are or where we work, we will all be effected. That's why we need to unite to fight for a workers' first agenda that leaves no one behind. 

Now is the time for governments to take action to stabilize workers’ incomes, fix Employment Insurance permanently, and invest in the public infrastructure and services we need to make life more affordable. We also need moratoriums on rent increases and evictions, and action to prevent price hikes on groceries. Check out the full set of emergency measures governments must take.

Here's what YOU can do right now:

1. Send an email! Your message will go to the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. We will also send a copy to all provincial & territorial premiers as well as your own provincial & federal elected representatives.
   
   
2. Register for the March 12 Emergency Town Hall
   Learn about how tariffs work, how they will affect workers and local communities, and what we can do to protect everyone. We will also discuss organizing strategies to make sure governments listen to us and not just to big corporations. This Pan-Canadian Emergency Town Hall is taking place online on Wednesday, March 12 at 7:00 pm ET (4:00 pm PT; 8:00 pm AT; and 8:30 pm NT)

Will you join us for this Emergency Town Hall? 

Support public sector workers!

Public services are essential in our ability to cope with the economic storm coming at us. And in Toronto, the public sector workers of CUPE 79 are on the frontlines providing these public services. They deserve fair wages and safe working conditions. 

Toronto city workers do essential work, providing:

• Employment services and supports for low-income families;
• City infrastructure that takes care of everything from clean drinking water to safe beaches;
• Maintenance & staffing for city parks and recreation centres as well as providing community-based programming.

Right now, these 30,000 CUPE 79 members are fighting for decent work and wages as well as adequate staffing levels to ensure Toronto residents get the services they need, when they need them. A majority of CUPE 79 members are women and racialized workers. It is crucial they are treated fairly. But as it stands, 12,000 of them (40% of the membership) earn the minimum wage, which is not enough for anyone to live on. These workers should not be forced out on strike for livable wages and decent work.

CUPE 79 workers are asking for a modest $20 an hour starting wage for every worker; wage increases that keep up with rising prices (these workers have lost 12% of the value of their wages due to inflation); as well as equal pay & benefits between part-time and full-time workers. These are Justice for Workers demands. And if CUPE 79 wins them, it will be easier for the rest of us to win these demands in legislation. 

1. Tell the Mayor that you stand with city workers. Send an email to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, and Budget Chair Shelley Carroll to let them know you support CUPE 79 members.
   

2. Put up a poster in your neighbourhood to make your solidarity visible. Download a poster or leaflet, or email us at [email protected] to arrange a pick up of materials you need.

3. Post a solidarity selfie on social media or share a photo if you see a Support CUPE 79 poster in your neighbourhood. Please use these hashtags: #SupportCUPE79 #Justice4Workers or tag us @FairWagesNow 

The way to address the cost of living crisis is by uniting to fight for better wages and working conditions, at least $600 a week in income support for everyone in our communities, and for strong public services.  

Your energy in building a powerful decent work movement is more important than ever, as billionaires and greedy corporations try to pit us against each other and profit from our hardship.

See you at upcoming online events, in the streets, and on social media!