Position Statements

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) upholds a set of values based in social democracy, social justice and environmental justice. These values guide HSAA in taking positions on issues that arise on an ongoing basis. Our position statements align with our mission, vision, values and strategic plan.

HSAA is affiliated with the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and its subordinate bodies – the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) and the various District Labour Councils across Alberta.

To learn more about the mission and strategic plan that guide HSAA, click here.

On this page you can review the web version of our position statements. A PDF file can also be downloaded.

Position Statement 17

Canadian Ratification of International Labour Organization Conventions

WHEREAS of the 185 Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Canada has only ratified 30; and

WHEREAS of the seven core Conventions of the ILO, Canada has only ratified five; and

WHEREAS of the 30 ILO Conventions developed since 1982 – all of which Canada voted for at the ILO’s Annual Conferences – Canada has only ratified two

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that HSAA work with its affiliated bodies to develop and coordinate activities designed to influence the federal and provincial governments to:

  • Have labour legislation comply with the ILO’s freedom of association principles; – ratify the ILO’s core Conventions: 98 – the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention and No. 138 – the Minimum Age Convention; and
  • Establish an ongoing consultative process with the labour movement with respect to the ratification of ILO Conventions that Canada has voted for at the ILO’s Annual Conferences.

Approved at 2005 AGM
Reviewed May 2018 Convention