May 2025 — This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA) — a milestone that honours a quarter-century of grassroots organizing, advocac, and unwavering commitment to building racial justice, inclusive workplaces, and representation in Canada’s labour movement.
Established in 2000, ACLA has grown into a national voice for Asian Canadian workers and racialized communities. Its roots trace back to 1996, when labour activists Winnie Ng and Gayle Nye attended an APALA convention in the U.S. and connected with 400 Asian American and Pacific Islander unionists. Inspired, they returned to Ontario and BC to organize meetings with Asian Canadian labour activists. These conversations revealed a desire for an organization dedicated to Asian Canadian workers. The Ontario Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (now CBTU)—one of the first independent and autonomous bodies of racialized union activists in Canada, made up of members from different unions and committed to anti-racism and challenging the dominance of labour’s white male leadership—helped lay the foundation for ACLA’s formation.
“For a quarter century, ACLA has built a unique space where Asian Canadian working-class voices are not only heard but lead the fight against racial and economic injustice,” said Monica Urrutia, core member of ACLA BC. “Our work has always gone beyond the workplace — it’s about transforming society and this would not have been possible without ACLA’s members and supporters – including South Asian, West Asian, Southeast Asian, and East Asian union and community activists. We deeply appreciate the tireless work they’ve done to advance racial and economic justice in our communities.”
From SARS to Covid, to economic austerity and the rise of anti-Asian racism, in the last 25 years ACLA has played a vital role in pushing for change for Asian and other racialized workers. ACLA Ontario organized forums on anti-Asian racism and migrant justice, intervened in policy debates, supported campaigns promoting Asian Canadian leadership, and mobilized in solidarity with broader racial justice movements. During the pandemic, ACLA BC rallied to Stop Asian Hate, developed and held a workshop series including know your rights, anti-racism, and what it means to be in a union, and showcased cultural resistance of Asian artists in Canada. Alongside Indigenous, Black, migrant, and working class communities, ACLA has challenged exploitative systems while nurturing the next generation of Asian Canadian labour leaders.
“We honour the vision and courage of ACLA’s founders — workers, organizers, and community activists who believed in the power of Asian Canadian workers to demand inclusion and take leadership as agents of change in the fight for justice,” said Stephanie Fung, executive member of ACLA Ontario. “We will continue to organize with hope and determination for change.”
The 25th anniversary is a celebration of past victories as well as a recommitment to the struggles ahead. In a time marked by rising xenophobia, backlash against equity, economic precarity, income inequality, and climate crisis, ACLA remains steadfast in the call for transformative change — grounded in solidarity, care, and collective resistance. It is important to commemorate ACLA’s 25th anniversary, reflect on our history and imagine the road forward. We invite all workers, allies, and organizations to join us in honouring this milestone.
Media Contact:
Kane Tse
ACLA-BC Core member
aclainbc@gmail.com
(604)290-8792
asianlabour.ca
About the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA):
For over two decades, the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA) has been a grassroots collective of community and labour activists in both Ontario and British Columbia. ACLA’s mission is to develop an Asian Canadian labour identity and generate a labour-positive presence within Asian communities. The organization works both within the labour movement and within Asian communities to raise the profile of Asian Canadian labour issues. ACLA encourages and supports Asian Canadian workers to participate more fully in the labour movement and promotes Asian Canadian activists in leadership roles. ACLA challenges racism, systemic discrimination, and internalized racism by providing education and workshops, mobilizing for rallies, strikes, and picket lines and connecting workers with support organizations. ACLA works in solidarity with international, migrant, and temporary workers. To learn more about ACLA and its initiatives, please visit http://asianlabour.ca/