Workers’ rights and governments of the right: Can we talk? (Ryerson Democracy Forum)

How does the union movement fight for labour rights when a right-of-centre government is in power?

PC Labour Minister Monte McNaughton sits down with Canadian Labour Congress president Hassan Yussuff to talk about their differences — and how they talk through their differences. Joined by Peggy Nash, Chair of the Ryerson Centre for Labour Management Relations advisory committee, they will answer your questions about precarious work, union challenges and political conflict in a democratic society. Moderated by Toronto Star columnist and Ryerson Visiting Practitioner Martin Regg Cohn, sponsored by the Faculty of Arts.

About the Speakers:

Monte McNaughton is Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development in Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government. First elected as an MPP in 2011, he has been a cabinet minister since 2018. He attended Westervelt Business College and the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University. He first won election as a municipal councillor at the age of 20 in his hometown of Newbury.

Hassan Yussuff is president of the Canadian Labour Congress, the voice of Canada’s 3.3 million unionized workers. A longtime labour activist, he was elected CLC executive vice-president in 1999, and first won the presidency in 2014. He was elected President of the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas in 2012.

Peggy Nash is Chair of the Ryerson Centre for Labour Management Relations advisory committee, and Senior advisor to the Dean of Arts. A former NDP Member of Parliament, she was a senior labour negotiator with the Canadian Auto Workers (now UNIFOR).

Martin Regg Cohn is a political columnist for the Toronto Star and former foreign correspondent. A Visiting Practitioner in the Faculty of Arts and founder of the Ryerson Democracy Forum, he is also a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.

We are committed to hosting an inclusive and accessible event for everyone. Please let us know if you require accommodations. Contact Melissa Wong, melissawong@torontomu.ca (opens in new window)  for more details.