Black History Month: Centering Environmental Racism in Labour Union Action

During Black History Month, we recognize the enduring resilience, leadership, and contributions of Black communities and workers who have advanced Canada’s labour movement and fought for justice across generations. This month, labour unions must prioritize environmental racism as a core issue.

Black communities in Canada face disproportionate exposure to pollution, toxic waste, hazardous industrial sites, and climate-related harms—inequities driven by systemic racism in policy, siting decisions, and enforcement. These burdens translate into higher health risks, economic strain, and workplace dangers for Black workers and families, echoing the same discriminatory patterns unions have long opposed.

Unions play a critical role in pushing for change: supporting the federal National Strategy on Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice (under development pursuant to laws like Bill C-226), advocating for meaningful consultation with affected Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities, securing funding for community-led remedies, and creating sustainable union jobs with strong health and safety protections.

Solidarity demands that racial justice and environmental justice go hand in hand—no group should shoulder unequal costs for societal progress.

Let’s amplify Black voices in the fight for clean environments, safe workplaces, and equity for all.

In solidarity,

Ruth Lau MacDonald
Regional Executive Vice President
PSAC-NCR

#BlackHistoryMonth #EndEnvironmentalRacism #UnionStrong