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Every year on March 8, workers across Canada and around the world celebrate International Women’s Day, a global day recognizing the achievements of women and the ongoing struggle for gender equality. In 2026, the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) proudly joins this celebration by recognizing the vital role that unions and collective bargaining have played in advancing women’s rights, strengthening gender equality, and building fairer workplaces for everyone.
The labour movement has long been a driving force behind progress for women. Many of the workplace protections and opportunities that Canadian women benefit from today were won through the hard work, courage, and determination of union members who organized together and demanded change. Through collective bargaining, unions have helped close wage gaps, establish fair hiring and promotion practices, and secure benefits that support working families.
Unionized workplaces consistently lead the way when it comes to fair wages and stronger protections. Women working in unionized jobs in Canada are more likely to earn higher wages, receive better benefits, and have access to stronger job security than those in non-union workplaces. Collective agreements negotiated by unions often include provisions that support pay equity, maternity and parental leave, protections against workplace harassment, and stronger health and safety standards.
These gains did not happen overnight. They are the result of decades of organizing and solidarity among working people who believed that fairness and equality should be at the heart of every workplace. Women have played a central role in the labour movement itself—serving as organizers, leaders, and advocates who pushed unions and society forward.
For the PPWC, equality is not simply a slogan. It is a core principle rooted in the belief that every worker deserves dignity, respect, and opportunity on the job. As a democratic, member-driven union, the PPWC has always supported policies and bargaining priorities that promote equality and inclusion in the workplace. When workers stand together in a union, they gain a collective voice that makes it possible to challenge discrimination and push for real, lasting change.
This year’s global theme for International Women’s Day 2026, #GiveToGain, reminds us that while progress has been made, the work is far from finished. Women still face barriers in many industries, including wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership positions, and ongoing challenges related to workplace harassment and discrimination. The labour movement has a responsibility to continue confronting these issues head-on.
For workers in industries like forestry, manufacturing, and resource sectors—where unions like the PPWC represent members—ensuring gender equality means actively working to create welcoming, safe, and respectful workplaces where women can thrive. It means ensuring equal pay for equal work, promoting women into leadership roles, and maintaining zero tolerance for harassment or discrimination.
International Women’s Day is also a time to recognize the broader contributions of women in our communities. Women are leaders in families, workplaces, and social movements. Their efforts have helped shape stronger unions, stronger communities, and a stronger Canada.
The PPWC celebrates the women who are part of our union and the wider labour movement. Their voices, leadership, and solidarity continue to strengthen our organization and inspire future generations of workers.
On International Women’s Day 2026, the Public and Private Workers of Canada reaffirms its commitment to equality, solidarity, and justice. Together, through union solidarity and collective bargaining, we will continue to build workplaces, and a society, where every woman has the opportunity to succeed and where equality is not just an aspiration, but a reality.
