Summit To Address Gun Violence

CBTU Ontario, Canada Chapter members joined together on March 21st with African Canadian community leaders, key government officials, representatives of major public institutions and other stakeholders in a Summit convened on the International Day for the Elimination of Racism to address the issues of marginalization and social exclusion that have contributed to the current crisis among African Canadian youth, and in particular, the disproportionate level of gun violence.
The racialization of poverty, high dropout rates, over-representation in the child welfare system and over-representation at all levels of the criminal justice system are urgent issues affecting the African-Canadian Community that necessitate an effective community-based action plan for addressing gun violence. CBTU was invited to join the Summit to reinforce Labour's perspective on the connection between employment, economics and good jobs upon health communities. African Canadians earn on average 75 cents for every dollar a non-racialized Canadian earns. This racialized pay differential along with disproportionally high rates of unemployment and underemployment contributes significantly to the increased risk factor in a young person's life.
A theme heard throughout the Summit was: the time for Action is Now! The Stephen Lewis Report identified the need to action over two decades ago yet the crisis continues. The Roots of Youth Violence Report and Ontario's Youth Action plan provide a framework for targeted solutions such as community empowerment, long-term sustained funding, a focus on meaningful skills development, capacity building, prevent and intervention strategies and strict gun control.
The African-Canadian Legal Clinic took the lead in organizing the Summit and will remain an important community partner to CBTU - Ontario. African-Canadian trade unionists and community activists will continue to work together to promote the positive and healthy development of our children.

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March 1st, 2026

 

Greetings, CBTU Family: 

 

As Black History Month comes to a close, the work of celebrating, uplifting, and advancing Black history does not end for the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU). Black history is not confined to a single month; it lives in our communities, our workplaces, our struggles, and our victories every day of every year.

Over the past months, we have witnessed many inspiring moments across our movement. Black leaders have stepped forward to serve in new roles, some have retired after years of dedicated leadership, and others have begun new journeys that continue to shape our communities and labour movement. Each transition reflects the strength, resilience, and ongoing legacy of Black leadership within CBTU and beyond.

At the same time, our community has also experienced profound loss. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of CBTU Region One President Sharon Lovelady-Hall. Her leadership, commitment, and impact will be remembered and honoured throughout our organization.

We also send our heartfelt sympathies to all members of our CBTU family who have lost loved ones in recent weeks. Please know that you are not alone; our community stands with you.

The CBTU family remains rooted in solidarity and care. In moments of celebration and in times of grief, we continue to support one another. Together, we will keep building, organizing, and advancing the lives of Black people in our workplaces, our communities, and across the globe.

As we move forward, let us remain committed to the mission that unites us: empowerment, justice, and progress for Black workers everywhere.

CBTU 30 Years Logo

Greetings, CBTU Family:

November 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of our organization becoming a Chapter of the CBTU, and the beginning of our year of celebration! Please take a moment to read our Special 30th Anniversary Edition Chapter Newsletter, where we have highlighted to accomplishments of several of our dear chapter members.

On behalf of the Chapter's Executive Board, we wish you all safe, happy, and healthy season's greetings and look forward to seeing and celebrating with you at our General Membership Meeting December 16 at 6pm.

Dear CBTU chapter members,

We are 30! This year marks 30 years of being a chapter of the International CBTU. To celebrate our history and the contributions of our members towards the Canadian Labour Movement, past and present, we invite you all to a special CBTU General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, December 16 in the evening. Location TBD and will be included in our newsletter coming out within a week. Yes, of course there will be food, it wouldn't be a proper celebration without it☺️
We look forward to seeing you there!