July 23 2025
The Council of the Federation met in Huntsville from July 21–23, bringing together Canada’s Premiers to discuss national priorities. But once again, workers—the backbone of this country—were left out of the conversation.
“We are genuinely disappointed that the discussions between the Prime Minister and the Premiers failed to address the urgent crises facing workers across Canada,” said Bert Blundon, President of NUPGE. “You cannot talk about building a stronger, more secure Canada without including the people who are literally building it—providing public services, caring for our communities, and responding to emergencies. If governments continue to ignore the challenges we face, no national plan will succeed.”
Wildfires: Talk Without Action
Wildfires were on the agenda—but not the workers on the frontlines of the crisis.
“We were glad to see wildfires raised, but once again, there was no mention of the human cost borne by forest and wildland firefighters,” said Blundon. “These workers have long called for recognition as first responders and deserve the same protections and benefits as other public safety personnel. A serious approach to disaster preparedness, mitigation, and recovery must start with the people doing the work. That commitment was noticeably absent.”
Health Care: Added Late, Still Urgent
Health care made it onto the agenda on the final day, thanks to relentless pressure from labour unions, patient groups, and civil society. But the crisis in health human resources can no longer be treated as an afterthought.
Unions and advocates have been calling for the federal government to increase health care transfers to cover 35% of system costs. But it’s not just about more funding—it’s about ensuring those funds are spent where they’re needed. Unconditional transfers allow provinces to divert funds away from health care into pet projects or privatization schemes.
“The alarm on staffing shortages has been ringing for years,” said Blundon. “Health care workers are burning out, taking on impossible workloads, and still showing up—because they believe in public health care. Our governments must match that commitment with real resources and action to fix the crisis now.”
What It Really Means to Build a Stronger Canada
Much of the discussion at the Council meeting focused on infrastructure, energy, and internal trade. But talk of economic growth rings hollow if it excludes the wellbeing of the people powering that growth.
“Any conversation about building Canada’s future must be about lifting everyone up—not driving us down to the lowest common denominator,” said Blundon. “Massive military spending to appease the U.S. President is a shortsighted decision. That money should be invested in what Canadians actually need: universal public health care, affordable housing, good jobs, climate resilience, Indigenous justice, and strong public services.”
“A stronger Canada isn’t built from the top down. It’s built by the people on the ground—and it’s time our leaders recognized that,” he said.