The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is an umbrella body for unions across Canada. Unions choose whether to register with the Congress. CLC represents union interests at a national and international level. The CLC evolved over a long period of time. The Canadian Labour Union was formed in 1872 from groups that had promoted the Nine Hours Movement. In 1883, the Trades and Labour Congress evolved as successor to the Canadian Labour Union. In 1939, the Trades and Labour Congress expelled all unions affiliated with the American-based Committee for Industrial Organizing (CIO).In 1940, small CIO organizations in Canada amalgamated with the All-Canadian Congress of Labour to form the Canadian Congress of Labour. The expelled unions formed the Canadian Labour Council. In 1956, the Trades and Labour Congress and the Canadian Labour Congress merged to become the Canadian Labour Congress. For more information, visit the Canadian Labour Congress website. March 2016