The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Canada (CBTU) is calling upon the community and the labour movement as a whole to pay close attention to two test cases currently before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. The cases follow a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision that could result in Black unionized employees’ losing the right to file human rights complaints in Ontario.
On the eve of the June 2 provincial election, the CBTU is urging community and labour allies to ensure that human rights protections for all workers become a campaign issue, and that the Doug Ford Conservatives’ be held to account for the erosion of these rights in Ontario. For nearly 20 years, unionized employees in Ontario have enjoyed the right to choose how to raise a complaint when faced with human rights violations in the workplace: by filing a grievance through a collective agreement procedure or by filing an application at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO). Over this period of time, the HRTO has developed specialized expertise in cases involving anti-Black racism, ranging from acts of hate, racial profiling, and more subtle microaggressions–all of which have been documented in every sector of employment. Indeed, significant portions of Ontario’s human rights legislation are the outcome of generations of anti-racist struggle in a “long road to justice” led by Black Ontarians, such as trade unionists Bromley Armstrong, June Veecock, Janice Gairey, and numerous other activists. In October 2021, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that effectively ended the right of the vast majority of unionized employees in Manitoba to bring complaints to the province’s human rights commission. The decision noted that in most cases collective agreements provided sufficient protection for union members’ human rights, but failed to acknowledge systemic barriers that Black workers and other Equity-seeking groups face in grievance and arbitration processes. For example, only a small percentage of grievances reach arbitration, and decisions to proceed to arbitration are frequently based on considerations such as arbitration costs. While discrimnation is prohibited by every collective agreement, the extent to which employees are able to enforce their human rights is subject to the power dynamics between employers and the bargaining unit, and the commitment of unions’ leadership to addressing discrimination. Recourse in instances where legitimate cases are not pursued is extremely limited. The experience of Black workers to pursue a case all the way to arbitration is often as difficult– and as traumatizing–as the initial experience of discrimination in the workplace, and almost always takes a severe emotional and psychological toll. Concurrent jurisdiction, which allows unionized employees to file complaints at the HRTO, increases access to justice in the workplace, by affording Black and other Equity-seeking workers a choice on the most appropriate forum to hear their cases. “For decades, Black trade unionists have been at the forefront of making our unions more alert and responsive to the realities of anti-Black racism at work,” said Yolanda McClean, President of CBTU Canada. “But we also understand that Black workers sometimes feel safer and more confident having their complaints heard at the Tribunal on human rights grounds. It would be a major step backwards if Black unionized employees in Ontario lost that right.” In response to the decision, the HRTO has recently launched a process to consider whether unionized employees in Ontario should continue to have access to the Tribunal, but CBTU leaders worry that Black trade unionists may be excluded due to the lack of formal notice about the process and extremely short deadlines that the CBTU only became aware of by chance. “The wider labour movement in Ontario is still not fully aware that their members’ human rights are now at risk,” said Christopher Wilson, 1st Vice-President of CBTU Canada. “The HRTO must ensure that Black workers, and all other unionized employees facing an erosion of their rights, be able to participate meaningfully in this process and bring to bear our lived experiences of discrimination in the workplace.” CBTU Canada submitted an extension request to intervene in the proceeding in advance of the deadline on March 3, 2022 in order to give voice to the experiences of Black unionized employees in Ontario. The CBTU represents Black workers from every sector of the economy and from every trade union in the wider labour movement. “Black workers matter, and we will not be excluded from any discussion about our rights,” added McClean. “This really is a moment of reckoning for the HRTO, and we expect it to be accountable to all Ontarians, including Black unionized employees.” Labour and community organizations are invited to help CBTU Canada cover the legal costs of preparing its submission to the HRTO. Please donate here.
For more information, please contact:
Yolanda McClean
President, CBTU Canada
[email protected] and 416-885-6395
Christopher Wilson
1st Vice-President,
CBTU Canada
[email protected] and 416-986-9341
(Le français suit / French follows…)
To Allies,
September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists - Canada (CBTU) community stands in solidarity with Indigenous Nations across Turtle Island. We honour the survivors of residential schools, remember the children who never returned home, and recognize the enduring strength, resilience, leadership, and sovereignty of Indigenous communities.
We also recognize that the history of Indigenous peoples and Nations has never been defined by the borders imposed through colonization. Long before the creation of Canada and the drawing of colonial boundaries, Indigenous Nations had their own territories, laws, governance, cultures, languages, and relationships with the land. These imposed borders are part of a colonial system that disrupted and continues to impact Indigenous peoples, communities, and Nations.
As displaced peoples of African descent, we acknowledge the generations of Indigenous peoples who have cared for and stewarded these lands for thousands of years. We recognize that reconciliation requires more than words—it demands truth, accountability, justice, and meaningful action.
The adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) by the UN General Assembly on September 13, 2007, affirmed the rights of Indigenous peoples and provides an important framework for advancing reconciliation. When the declaration was first adopted, Canada voted against UNDRIP. Canada changed their position over time through advocacy.
The Grassy Narrows River Run protest on September 23, 2026, reminds us that environmental justice and Indigenous rights remain urgent and ongoing concerns.
As we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, CBTU-Canada acknowledges that, a decade after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its 94 Calls to Action significant work remains to be done. Many of those calls are not yet fulfilled, underscoring the urgent need for governments, institutions, and the labour movement to move beyond words and take meaningful action.
We encourage our members and allies to learn, listen, and take action in support of Indigenous rights and justice. We also recognize the importance of resources such as the Canadian Labour Congress Indigenous Rights and Justice Resource Center in strengthening education and solidarity within the labour movement.
Truth must lead to justice. Reconciliation must lead to action.
In solidarity,
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) - Canada
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À nos alliés,
Le 30 septembre, en cette Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation, la communauté de la Coalition des syndicalistes Noirs (CBTU) exprime sa solidarité avec les nations Autochtones de toute l’île de la Tortue. Nous rendons hommage aux survivants des pensionnats, nous nous souvenons des enfants qui ne sont jamais rentrés chez eux et nous reconnaissons la force, la résilience, le leadership et la souveraineté inébranlables des communautés Autochtones.
Nous reconnaissons également que les peuples et les nations Autochtones n’ont jamais été définis par les frontières imposées par la colonisation. Bien avant la création du Canada et le tracé des frontières coloniales, les nations Autochtones avaient leurs propres territoires, lois, modes de gouvernance, cultures, langues et liens avec la terre. Ces frontières imposées font partie d’un système colonial qui a bouleversé et continue d’avoir des répercussions sur les peuples, les communautés et les nations Autochtones.
En tant que peuples déplacés d’origine Africaine, nous rendons hommage aux générations de peuples Autochtones qui ont pris soin de ces terres et en ont assuré la gestion pendant des milliers d’années. Nous reconnaissons que la réconciliation exige plus que des mots : elle exige la vérité, la responsabilisation, la justice et des mesures concrètes.
L’adoption de la Déclaration des Nations Unies sur les droits des peuples Autochtones (UNDRIP) par l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies le 13 septembre 2007 a affirmé les droits des peuples Autochtones et fournit un cadre important pour faire avancer la réconciliation. Lors de l’adoption de cette déclaration, le Canada a voté contre l’UNDRIP, puis ont revu leur position pour l'accepter.
La prochaine manifestation « Grassy Narrows River Run », prévue le 23 septembre 2026, nous rappelle que la justice environnementale et les droits des peuples Autochtones demeurent des enjeux urgents et persistants.
À l’occasion de la Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation, le CBTU-Canada reconnaît que, dix ans après la publication par la Commission de vérité et de réconciliation de ses 94 appels à l’action, un travail considérable reste à accomplir. Bon nombre de ces appels n’ont pas encore été mis en œuvre, ce qui souligne le besoin urgent pour les gouvernements, les institutions et le mouvement syndical d’aller au-delà des paroles et de prendre des mesures concrètes.
Nous encourageons nos membres et nos alliés à s’informer, à écouter et à agir en faveur des droits et de la justice Autochtones. Nous reconnaissons également l’importance de ressources telles que le Centre de ressources sur les droits et la justice autochtones pour renforcer l’éducation et la solidarité au sein du mouvement syndical.
La vérité doit mener à la justice. La réconciliation doit mener à l’action.
En solidarité,
La Coalition des syndicalistes Noirs (CBTU) – Canada
August 31, 2026
Today, August 31, we join people around the world in recognizing the United Nations’ International Day for People of African Descent.
Today is a day to celebrate our history, resilience, achievements and contributions. But it is also a day to confront history honestly.
For the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) - Canada, recognition must be accompanied by truth, accountability and action.
Canada has a history connected to the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and the institution of slavery. That history must be acknowledged—not to assign guilt to Canadians today, but to recognize the truth of what happened and understand its continuing consequences.
An apology cannot undo the past. But it can acknowledge the truth, honour those who suffered, and help establish a foundation for meaningful reconciliation and justice.
The United Nations has made clear that the legacy of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade demands recognition, justice and action.
Nations have a responsibility to ensure the full and equal treatment, dignity and protection of people of African descent in the societies and countries they have profoundly contributed to building and developing economically. This responsibility includes strengthening laws, policies and institutions to eliminate the racial discrimination, inequality and systemic barriers that continue to affect people of African descent, including in countries where they were brought through enslavement, forced migration or other forms of coercion. Recognition of these contributions must be accompanied by concrete measures to protect human rights, advance equality and address the enduring consequences of racial injustice.
Canada should not stand outside that conversation.
On this International Day for People of African Descent, CBTU Canada renews its call:
Canada must recognize its history.
Canada must acknowledge its responsibility.
Canada must apologize.
Remembering must lead to recognition.
Recognition must lead to accountability.
And accountability must lead to action.
CBTU Canada remains committed to the campaign for recognition, justice and an official federal apology.
In solidarity
The Executive Board of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) - Canada
(Le français suit / French follows…)
August 23 is more than a date. It is a day to remember the courage, resistance and determination of those who challenged a system built on the trafficking and enslavement of Africans and their descendants.
The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition reminds us that history is not simply something to be remembered; it is something that continues to shape the societies we live in today. The legacy of slavery is reflected in the institutions, policies, inequalities and experiences that continue to affect Black communities.
Remembrance must therefore be accompanied by recognition, accountability and action. Honouring those who resisted slavery means confronting the historical realities that continue to influence the present and ensuring that future generations inherit a more just society.
This is why the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists–Canada continues to call on the Government of Canada to acknowledge its role in the trafficking and enslavement of Africans and to issue a formal federal apology. Our national apology campaign is part of a broader effort to advance recognition, accountability and reparatory justice.
On August 23rd, we remember those who endured. We honour those who resisted. And we recommit ourselves to the work of building a future grounded in justice, equality and dignity for all.
In remembrance. In recognition. In action.
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Canada Executive Board
