Labour leaders representing more than 3 million unionised Canadian workers will gather in Winnipeg starting May 11. They will debate policy on a wide range of issues concerning the challenges facing workers. But they will also address what to do about Israel’s genocide. See our interview with Kevin Levangie one of the activists behind the initiative.

Thousands of labour activists will gather in Winnipeg starting May 11 “to organize, strategize, and show the power of workers coming together” according to the CLC website.

In addition to “meat and potato” issues such as cost of living and unemployment, they will also discuss what Canada’s unions should do with respect to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. A cross-Canada group of union activists called “Labour for Palestine (L4P)” has submitted a resolution to the convention calling for strong measures against Israel, including a boycott. They are demanding that Canadian unions declare Israeli goods “hot cargo”.

Hot cargo is an old union term usually used when union workers refuse to handle, transport, or work on cargo that comes from companies involved in a labour dispute. However, it has also been used historically as a means of political pressure. In 1938 Unions on the US west coast refused to handle Japanese cargo in protest of the Nanking Massacre and bombing of Chinese cities.

More recently, dockworkers in Italy have declared military cargo destined for Israel to be “hot cargo” and have refused to handle it.

L4P has been gaining influence through union caucuses and educational sessions at union events. They also advance boycott and divestment campaigns that urge Canadian pensions to decline to invest in Israeli related companies.

The “hot cargo” campaign is taking off in unions across provinces including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

L4P’s push for a “hot cargo” resolution at the upcoming Canadian Labour Congress convention in May 2026, is backed by a broad campaign.

Opposition building

Unsurprisingly, the growth of the influence of L4P within the Canadian labour movement has the pro-Zionist lobby concerned. It has launched a series of ad-hominen attacks against the L4P leadership in the National Post, claiming they are attempt to “hijack” the labour movement.

“L4P’s actions ultimately erode union solidarity. Importing international conflicts into union spaces creates division, fuels tension and makes workplaces hostile and unsafe for some members. “Hot cargo” campaigns target the very workers unions claim to represent.”, argue Ori Frieman and Lauren Frenkel in a major article in the National Post.

At the convention, activists are prepared for a possible attempt to “sideline” the motion rather than argue against it on its merits.

But conditions are now favourable for such a motion argues Kevin Levangi as there is greater public recognition of Israel’s crimes. CTIP interviewed Vangeli about the campaign and its prospects for success.

The L4P Resolution – Submitted by: Kingsley Kwok. OPSEU, Labour for Palestine

• Whereas the CLC has endorsed elements of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement’s calls to sanction Israel over the occupation of Palestine and Israel’s system of apartheid;
• Whereas the CLC has endorsed elements of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement’s calls to sanction Israel over the occupation of Palestine and Israel’s system of apartheid;
• Whereas Israel has continued its genocidal bombing campaign, ground invasion, and siege and starvation of Gaza and annexation of the West Bank despite the October 2025 ceasefire;
• Whereas the Israeli labour central the Histadrut has been a partner in the colonization of Palestine since the foundation of Israel, and maintains discriminatory practices against Palestinian workers;
• Therefore it resolved that the Canadian Labour Congress declare trade, services and relationships with Israel to be “hot cargo” and to cut ties with the Histadrut.
• Be it further resolved that the CLC endorse the Arms Embargo Now campaign and work with relevant unions to declare arms shipments to Israel to be “hot cargo,” not to be touched by workers of conscience.

The Ottawa Forum on Israel Palestine will be keeping a keen eye open to see what the eventual outcome of the Labour For Palestine resolution at the CLC convention in May.

Canada Talks Israel Palestine is the biweekly newsletter of the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP). It aims to promote a serious discussion ababout the Israel/Palestine issue from a Canadian perspective. Readers are invited to make comment. To get on our regular mailing list, or for more information write: ofip.chair@gmail.com