Statement from Nova Scotia Federation of Labour Secretary-Treasurer Melissa Marsman, on the Premiers’ meeting last week
Last week, I was honoured to stand alongside union leaders from every corner of Canada at the Premier’s meeting in Huntsville, Ontario. Together, we brought the united strength of working people to the table and made one message unmistakably clear: the future of our country depends on strong public services, fair jobs, and putting people before profits. As union leaders, we are the voice of millions of workers, public service users, and communities whose lives depend on robust, publicly delivered services.
We demanded that public services must remain public and that the well-being of working people must be at the heart of every government decision. The Federations of Labour, alongside national and provincial unions, stood firm in defending the principle that Canada’s future belongs to everyone, not just a privileged few. We sounded the alarm: Canada’s public healthcare system is in crisis. Workers are stretched beyond their limits, facing burnout and unsafe conditions.
That is why we called for a national health human resources strategy and demanded that the federal government increase health transfers to cover at least 35% of the costs. But increased funding alone is not enough; we insisted on ironclad accountability to ensure every dollar stays in public healthcare, not siphoned off for private profit. Across the country, unions are drawing a line in the sand against privatization. Public healthcare, long-term care, and education are not commodities; they are rights, and they belong to every Canadian. We pressed premiers to fully fund and protect these vital services so that no one, regardless of income, is left behind. We reminded leaders that actual economic growth is measured by good jobs and thriving communities, not soaring profits for the few.
We challenged governments to invest in public infrastructure, affordable housing, and clean energy projects that create stable, unionized jobs. This is how we build a fairer, stronger economy, one that serves all of us. Too often, workers are excluded from decisions that significantly impact their lives. At these meetings, we demanded a seat at the table in every conversation on trade, economic policy, labour mobility, and job creation. Workers must not be an afterthought; we are essential partners in building the Canada of tomorrow. The rising threat of wildfires and natural disasters is a wake-up call. We pushed leaders to act boldly on climate change and emergency preparedness, and to protect frontline workers, such as wildland firefighters, with the resources, respect, and fair treatment they deserve.
Our collective voice made a difference. Thanks to persistent advocacy from labour unions, healthcare was finally placed on the agenda, a testament to the power of solidarity and determination. But our fight doesn’t end here. Here in Nova Scotia and across the nation, unionized workers are the backbone of our communities. Any real plan for a better Canada begins with investing in people, not with cuts, privatization, or short-sighted decisions. We will continue to show up, speak out, and fight for a future where no one is left behind. Building a better Canada requires courage and commitment from our governments. We will hold elected officials accountable and push for policies that lift everyone, not just those at the top. Our work continues at every table, in every community, until strong public services, decent jobs, and a just society are a reality for all. Our fight is for the future one where dignity, fairness, and hope are the birthright of every Canadian. Together, we will win it.
