2025 has been a challenging year for all of us. The cost-of-living crisis got worse, especially for the lowest-paid workers in Ontario. Racist and anti-immigrant sentiment grew louder. The cuts to immigration levels, services and lack of enforcement of basic rights intensified. As a result, more and more people called our Centre about wage theft, harassment and other workplace problems.
Yet it has also been a year of incredible growth at WAC. Many workers in our membership learned more about their rights, and shared that knowledge to protect each other. We supported many workers to take on their employers and to fight wage theft and discrimination. Meanwhile, many stepped up to lead the fight for better worker rights.
📽️Click to watch WAC members in action:
Tell the government to Stop Wage Theft | Share video on Facebook and Instagram
Early in the year, WAC members in our worker leadership programs hit the ground running. During the provincial and federal elections, they helped other workers understand Employment Insurance, why it needs to be strengthened and what safety net is required due to the economic crisis that worsened with the US tariffs.
Then, during the summer, WAC members stood with migrant workers’ groups against Prime Minister Carney’s anti-immigrant “Strong Borders Act.” Disguised as a law to fight crime and protect Canada’s borders, Bill C-2 (now Bill C-12) actually attacked migrant rights by giving the government powers to make refugee status, permanent residency and study permits much harder to access. And we know that without permanent immigration status, workers are more likely to be exploited by bad bosses.
September 20, 2025: WAC members Draw the Line against Bill C-12 and wage theft
Workers wanted to fight back against this threat and many others. It stoked a fire in us to declare our city a welcoming space for all immigrants – who have always been essential to our communities and economy. That’s why we joined over 50 organizations across the country to Draw the Line against policies that will hurt workers, communities, the environment, and rip families apart. Our members also made their voices heard outside Toronto Centre MP Evan Solomon’s office. Though Bill C-12 was passed by Members of Parliament, there’s still time to take action: Tell Senators to Vote NO on Bill C-12
November 20, 2025: WAC members visit Toronto Centre MP Evan Solomon
Finally, we launched the Stop Wage Theft campaign this fall. Almost 200 people came together to hear from workers fighting to get back their unpaid wages – and to improve Ontario’s labour laws for everyone. WAC’s ground-breaking report, The crisis of wage theft in Ontario, was also released, offering clear recommendations on how the government can stop wage theft. In November, we voiced our demands outside the Ministry of Labour. Join the fight against wage theft, and help us hold the government and employers accountable!
November 29, 2025: WAC members tell the Ministry of Labour, “Do you job!” | Share on X/Twitter
Yes, harmful laws were pushed through this year. Yes, there were public service cuts, government mishandling of funds, and greedy employers stealing wages. But it only stoked the fire in workers to fight for a better future for us all, and drove us towards the deeper organizing it will take to get there.
In 2026, we’ll be ready to defend ourselves and each other at work and everywhere. We will not stop demanding the justice and dignity we all deserve.