Latest News and Updates
LGBTQ Pride 2013
posted on May 17, 2013April 2013 LGBTQ Pride 2013 Dear Sisters and Brothers: Visible signs of union pride are extremely important for smaller towns and communities across Ontario. Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) identified workers and their families are very often invisible or, if out, at serious risk of harassment in their workplaces and their communities. Over [...]
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Hate Must Be Challenged Every Day and in Every Way: OFL Statement on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia – May 17, 2013
posted on May 17, 2013OFL STATEMENT May 15, 2013 Hate Must Be Challenged Every Day and in Every Way OFL Statement on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, May 17, 2013 For the second year in a row, Ontario’s LGBTQ community and its allies are celebrating historic victories for the rights and protections of transgender people as part [...]
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Damning Report Says Ontario is Failing Migrant Workers: OFL Calls on Wynne Government to Protect Rights of Vulnerable Workers
posted on May 16, 2013FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16, 2013 Damning Report Says Ontario is Failing Migrant Workers OFL Calls on Wynne Government to Protect Rights of Vulnerable Workers (TORONTO, ON) ─ OFL calls on Ontario Government to respond immediately to a new report that gives the province shameful grades for failing to protect the rights of migrant workers. [...]
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Workers’ Rights Should Know No Borders: OFL Statement for South Asian Heritage Month – May 2013
posted on May 3, 2013OFL STATEMENT May 1, 2013 Workers’ Rights Should Know No Borders OFL Statement for South Asian Heritage Month – May 2013 Across Ontario, workers are joining the South Asian community in recognizing May as South Asian Heritage Month. However, this year’s celebrations are dampened by news of the April 24 collapse of a Bangladesh garment [...]
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Clementine Ng: Remembering a Beloved Hotel Worker Activist
posted on April 17, 2013Clementine Ng: Remembering a Beloved Hotel Worker Activist It is with very heavy hearts and deep sadness that we say goodbye to the beloved hotel worker activist Clementine Ng. She was fighting for justice right up until her very last days of life. We will always love her and carry her in our hearts. “Clementine [...]
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Bullying Only Thrives in the Shadows: OFL Statement on the Day of Pink, Anti-Bullying Day – April 10, 2013
posted on April 9, 2013OFL STATEMENT April 10, 2013 Bullying Only Thrives in the Shadows: OFL Statement on the Day of Pink, Anti-Bullying Day – April 10, 2013 Last year, the Ontario government passed historic anti-bullying legislation, but the issue of bullying, and its traumatic consequences, remains a daily concern in the lives of too many people. The impact [...]
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EQUAL PAY DAY: APRIL 9, 2013
posted on March 28, 2013EQUAL PAY DAY: APRIL 9, 2013 Greetings Sisters and Brothers: In Ontario women are “in the red” because on average they earn 28% less than men, for work of equal value. I know it’s hard to believe in 2013 but it’s a fact, and the gap is even bigger for racialized women, women with disabilities [...]
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Follow-Up Letter from Sid Ryan to Porter Airlines President Robert Deluce
posted on March 15, 2013March 15, 2013 Robert J. Deluce President and Chief Executive Officer Porter Airlines Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Toronto, ON M5V 1A1 Dear Robert Deluce, Thank you for your recent response to our letter in support of striking COPE 343 members. Your attempt to discredit the strikers and their union, however, will not contribute to [...]
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OFL 3rd Aboriginal Gathering ─ June 14 to 16, 2013
posted on March 12, 2013OFL 3rd Aboriginal Gathering ─ The Way the River Flows The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) is holding its 3rd Aboriginal Gathering from June 14-16, 2013. The OFL and its affiliates have a long history of activism and lobbying on Aboriginal, Métis and Inuit issues. This is a Gathering that is reaching out to all [...]
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Statement: Women Rise As Unions Rise: OFL Statement on International Women’s Day – March 8, 2013
posted on March 7, 2013OFL STATEMENT March 7, 2013 Women Rise As Unions Rise: OFL Statement on International Women’s Day – March 8, 2013 As millions of women around the world observe International Women’s Day, the Ontario Federation of Labour will proudly celebrate the role that unions have played in elevating the living standards of all women in Canada. [...]
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Toronto Star Op-Ed: Canada-EU trade deal: No time for NDP to show moderation (Sid Ryan)
posted on March 7, 2013Canada-EU trade deal: No time for NDP to show moderation NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair’s “wait-and-see” approach to the Canada-European Union trade deal is dangerous, not moderate. By: Sid Ryan Published on Thursday, March 07, 2013 It is always uncomfortable to give public advice to a friend, but when he is about to head down a perilous [...]
Read MoreLetter from Sid Ryan to Porter Airlines President Robert Deluce
posted on March 2, 2013March 1, 2013 Robert J. Deluce President and Chief Executive Officer Porter Airlines Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Toronto, ON M5V 1A1 Dear Robert Deluce, I am writing to inform you that the Ontario Federation of Labour fully supports the striking COPE 343 members who work as airplane re-fuelers for your company, Porter Airlines. As [...]
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Huffington Post Blog: Tories Attack Rand Formula to Silence Workers (By Sid Ryan)
posted on February 14, 2013[This Blog post originally appeared on the Huffington Post on February 14, 2013] The way that Conservative Members of Parliament like Pierre Poilievre go on about unions dues, you’d think they are familiar with the struggle of the average working person. However, unlike the millions of workers in Canada who are striving to make ends meet, [...]
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Video: Rally for Rights and Democracy: The Full Story Behind the #J26Rally
posted on February 8, 2013On January 26, 30,000 people demonstrated outside the Ontario Liberal Convention for good jobs and public services. Watch the YouTube video here!
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Watch this short video of the #J26Rally
posted on February 1, 2013On January 26, 30,000 people demonstrated outside the Ontario Liberal Convention for good jobs and public services. Watch the YouTube video here!
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Feb 6-7: Memories and Movements in African Canadian History
posted on February 1, 2013Feb 6-7: Memories and Movements in African Canadian History Memories and Movements in African Canadian History will recognize the 100th anniversary of the death of freedom fighter Harriet Tubman and celebrate the Steelpan movement, which was born out of resistance and through its resilience continues to play an active role in the lives of Canadians. [...]
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Statement: Celebrating History Through Action: OFL Statement in Support of Black History Month – February, 2013
posted on January 31, 2013OFL STATEMENT February 1, 2013 Celebrating History Through Action: OFL Statement in Support of Black History Month – February, 2013 As millions celebrate February as Black History Month, they will also be marking an important milestone in the movement to abolish slavery: the 100 year anniversary of the passing of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Born into [...]
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Rising Together Against Violence Against Women: OFL Statement in Support of One Billion Rising – February 14, 2013
posted on January 17, 2013OFL STATEMENT January 17, 2013 Rising Together Against Violence Against Women: OFL Statement in Support of One Billion Rising – February 14, 2013 The Ontario Federation of Labour is joining with people around the world in a global movement to demand an end to violence against women and girls. One million workers in Ontario are [...]
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International Women’s Day 2013 – Order Posters & Pins by Feb. 15
posted on January 17, 2013International Women’s Day (IWD) started in 1911 and is recognized annually around the world on March 8 to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. This year, join the OFL in celebrating IWD by ordering posters and pins to distribute to your members. Order yours today! OFL’S IWD 2013 [...]
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Advisory: OFL President to Join Chief Spence and Allies in Rally for Justice
posted on January 10, 2013FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 10, 2013 OFL President to Join Chief Spence and Allies in Rally for Justice (Ottawa, Ontario) – As First Nations leaders prepare to meet with Canada’s Prime Minister and Governor General, Ontario Federation of Labour President Sid Ryan will show the support of Ontario’s labour movement for Canada’s Aboriginal community by [...]
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OPEN LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER HARPER: Talk to Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation
posted on December 17, 2012OPEN LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER HARPER: Talk to Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation DECEMBER 17, 2012 Dear Prime Minister Harper: On behalf of one million members of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) I am calling on you to meet with Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation who is engaged [...]
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OFL Statement for December 18, 2012 International Migrants Day
posted on December 17, 2012OFL STATEMENT December 18, 2012 Canada’s Exploitation of Migrant Workers Lowers the Bar for Every Worker OFL Statement for December 18, 2012 International Migrants Day Only days before the international community celebrates International Migrants Day, Canada’s Conservative government quietly introduced new rules stripping migrant workers of benefits they pay for. On December 10, International Human [...]
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OFL President Sid Ryan to Hunker Down with the Homeless in Sidewalk Sleep-Out to Protest Social Assistance Cuts
posted on December 11, 2012FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2012 OFL President Sid Ryan to Hunker Down with the Homeless in Sidewalk Sleep-Out to Protest Social Assistance Cuts (Toronto, Ontario) – OFL Officers Sid Ryan and Irwin Nanda will join poverty activists and people who are homeless in a sidewalk sleep-out at MPP Glen Murray’s Toronto Centre Constituency Office [...]
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OFL Statement for December 10, 2012 International Human Rights Day
posted on December 7, 2012OFL STATEMENT December 10, 2012 Canada’s Human Rights Reputation is Fast Becoming a Myth OFL Statement for December 10, 2012 International Human Rights Day This year, as the global community recognizes December 10 as International Human Rights Day, many Canadians struggle with a vanishing sense of pride in Canada’s once renowned reputation as a leader [...]
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Media Advisory: Community-Labour Coalition joins education worker fight against Bill 115; hosts assembly to challenge cuts to services and rights
posted on December 6, 2012For Immediate Release December 6, 2012 Media Advisory: Community-Labour Coalition joins education worker fight against Bill 115; hosts assembly to challenge cuts to services and rights (TORONTO, ON) ─ Hot on the heels of a nationally recognized report exposing Ontario’s growing income inequality, the Ontario Common Front is expecting hundreds to attend a general assembly [...]
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OFL Statement for December 6, 2012 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
posted on December 5, 2012OFL STATEMENT December 5, 2012 Rising Together Against Violence Against Women: OFL Statement for December 6, 2012 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women As Ontarians gather in cities and towns across the province to remember the women victims of gender-based violence, Ontario’s labour movement is beginning to build for a global [...]
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OFL Statement for International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 2012
posted on December 3, 2012OFL STATEMENT December 3, 2012 Ontarians with Disabilities Hit the Hardest by Government Cuts: OFL Statement for International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 2012 December 3 marks the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities. According to the UN, persons with disabilities make up 15 percent of the world’s population and a quarter of [...]
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ADVISORY: Windsor Town Hall Exposes Local Impact of Government Cuts to Services and Democratic Rights
posted on November 26, 2012FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 26, 2012 (Windsor, Ontario) – Outraged at the McGuinty governments’ deep cuts to social programs and the recent attack on the democratic rights of education workers, community members from across Windsor will be gathering this evening for a public town hall meeting. The forum will provide an opportunity for local residents [...]
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Honouring Lost Lives, Seeking Justice for the Living: OFL Statement on the Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, 2012
posted on November 19, 2012OFL STATEMENT November 20,2012 Honouring Lost Lives, Seeking Justice for the Living: OFL Statement on the Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, 2012 Since 1999, November 20 has been recognized as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance. It is a day to reflect on the lives of transgendered people who have been killed due to [...]
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DOWNLOAD THE CONFERENCE AGENDA: OFL Equity Conference (Nov. 9-11, 2012)
posted on November 7, 2012The Ontario Federation of Labour will be hosting an Equity Conference from November 9 to 11 under the theme: “We Are Ontario: Putting Equity Before Austerity.” The event will be opened up to members who belong to the OFL’s many equity-seeking constituencies. Community groups will also be invited to add their voices and experiences to [...]
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OFL Launches Democratic and Economic Rights Campaign
posted on November 7, 2012Demand good jobs, public services, workers’ rights & the recall of the legislature! The Ontario government has been shut down while worker’s rights are under threat and cuts to jobs and services are hurting every community. It’s time to defend everyone’s democratic and economic rights. Download the campaign flyer here Jan. 26, 2013: Rally for [...]
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OPEN LETTER TO PREMIER: Labour Ends Talks with Government; Refuses to be Political Pawn
posted on October 24, 2012FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 24, 2012 Dear Premier McGuinty, Two weeks ago, Ontario’s labour leaders approached your government, in a gesture of good will, with the end goal of supporting local settlements while circumventing draconian legislation like Bill 115. Unfortunately, your government undermined these discussions before they could get started. First, your crass political decision [...]
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In Memoriam: Charles Roach (Activist+Artist+Musician+Lawyer+Revolutionary)
posted on October 4, 2012Charles Roach September 18, 1933 − October 2, 2012 Equality and civil rights advocates across Canada lost an incredible community activist and friend with the passing of renowned lawyer Charles Roach. Charlie never shied away from a cause. For more than 50 years, he led the fight against systemic racism and defended the most vulnerable in [...]
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ADVISORY: Ontario Federation of Labour to Join the Occupy Rally on Parliament Hill, Sept. 17
posted on September 14, 2012FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 14, 2012 (Toronto) — On Monday, September 17, Ontario’s labour movement will be joining Canada’s Occupy movement on Parliament Hill to demand a stop to Prime Minister Harper’s cuts to jobs and services. Planned for the date that Parliament resumes after the summer recess and the one year anniversary of Occupy [...]
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All Rise! – The People’s Court Will Judge Austerity (Sat. Sept. 15)
posted on September 13, 2012PSAC members know that an attack on public services workers is an attack on all Canadians. Under this federal government, public services are being slashed and the workers who provide them are being declared “affected” and told they may lose their jobs. This is not a government that believes in strengthening the services that Canadians [...]
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MEDIA RELEASE: McGuinty’s Anti-Union Posturing is Simply a Crass Game of Politics that Will Cost Him a Majority
posted on September 6, 2012For Immediate Release September 6, 2012 (Toronto, ON) — Stealing a page out of Tim Hudak’s failed “Change Book,” Premier Dalton McGuinty made a cynical electoral play when he decided to try to vilify school teachers and educational workers. In a deposition delivered last night on the McGuinty government’s controversial anti-worker bill, OFL President Sid [...]
Read MoreMedia Advisory: McGuinty’s Anti-Worker Gamble will Cost Him a Majority Government
posted on September 5, 2012For Immediate Release September 5, 2012 (Toronto, ON) — Stealing a page out of Tim Hudak’s failed “Change Book,” Premier Dalton McGuinty made a cynical electoral play when he decided to try to vilify school teachers and educational workers. In tonight’s deposition on the McGuinty government’s controversial anti-worker bill, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) will [...]
Read MoreLabour-Community Alliance is the Only Way to Challenge Inequality: OFL Statement on Labour Day, 2012
posted on September 3, 2012OFL STATEMENT Labour-Community Alliance is the Only Way to Challenge Inequality OFL Statement on Labour Day, 2012 Just days before the Canadian workers celebrated their proud labour history, Ontario’s labour movement and more than 90 community groups and non-profit organizations released an unprecedented report that reverberated through the media from one end of the country [...]
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Sid Ryan: Depressed wages are a drag on Canada’s economy (Labour Day Op-Ed in the Toronto Star)
posted on September 1, 2012Originally appeared online on Sept. 1 and in the print edition of the Toronto Star on Sept. 3, 2012. Click here to see the original op-ed piece in the Toronto Star. Just in time to celebrate Labour Day, the American retail giant Target rolled into Canada, swallowed up 150 Zellers stores from the Hudson’s Bay [...]
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Ontario Common Front report puts inequality in the news
posted on August 30, 2012Yesterday the Ontario Common Front hit the provincial scene in a big way with the launch of a report on Ontario’s growing inequality that dominated the media and put a spotlight on the harsh impact of cuts to jobs and services. Download a full copy of “Falling Behind” Download quick reference fact sheets The report [...]
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Letter to South African President Jacob Zuma: Justice for Striking Workers
posted on August 24, 2012August 24, 2012 President Jacob Zuma President of South Africa Union Buildings Private Bag X1000, Pretoria 0001 South Africa Sent by letter mail and emailed to president@po.gov.za. A .PDF version of this letter can be downloaded from this link. Dear President Zuma: Subject: Call for a Full and Independent Investigation into Police Shootings of [...]
Read MoreRally for Public Education: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 @ Noon
posted on August 24, 2012An emergency rally has just been called to demand respect for teachers and support for public education. It is crucial that union members and community allies come out in big numbers to protest the government’s proposed anti-collective bargaining legislation. A joint rally has been called by ETFO, OSSTF, and CUPE at Queen’s Park in Toronto [...]
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August 25: Stand in Solidarity with Mineworkers in South Africa
posted on August 23, 2012Condemn the Massacre of South African Miners Demonstration outside the Consulate of South Africa in Toronto When: 1:00 pm, Saturday, August 25, 2012 Where: South Africa Consulate-General, Toronto 110 Sheppard Ave East, Suite 600, (Sheppard-Yonge Subway Station) A rally is being organized by labour, community and international solidarity activists on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at [...]
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Target Fairness: Mass demonstration in Mississauga at 11 am on Aug 22
posted on August 21, 2012Dear Sisters and Brothers, Over 10,000 Zellers workers need your support in demanding fairness from the American retail giant, Target. Since Target bought up Canadian Zellers stores, every employee (some with over 30 years of loyal service) learned they were being terminated and forced to reapply for their jobs. Bring friends, members and community allies [...]
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Join the Ontario Common Front on Facebook! Help fight cuts across Ontario
posted on August 9, 2012The Ontario Common Front is a coalition of labour and community groups that have come together to challenge cuts to jobs and services in every community in Ontario. Join the Ontario Common Front on Facebook and share the page with your friends, coworkers and community allies. www.facebook.com/OntarioCommonFront Check out the website of the Ontario Common [...]
Read MoreInfo picket at Rogers Cup Tennis Final: Call for fair first contract, Aug. 12 @ 4:00 pm
posted on August 8, 2012Dear Sisters and Brothers, Help 300 Rogers workers secure a fair first collective agreement by bringing friends, co-workers and community allies to join an info picket during the Rogers Cup Tennis Final at York University on Sunday, August 12 at 4:00 pm. Please circulate the message from the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada [...]
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Out and Proud: Labour Contingent Photos from Toronto Pride
posted on July 2, 2012On July 1, the OFL and many affiliates celebrated Toronto Pride by marching together in a proud labour contingent. The theme of this year’s contingent was “We Are Ontario: Out and Proud” and it served as an opportunity to challenge government cuts to jobs and social programs that will affect the LGBTQ community. Click here [...]
Read MoreHudak Plan Seeks to Strip Workers of Wages, Benefits and Pensions
posted on June 27, 2012(TORONTO) — Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak’s White Paper on “Flexible Labour Markets” seeks to strip Ontario workers of wages, benefits and pensions, according to the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL). “Hudak’s proposed reforms to Ontario labour laws are nothing but sour grapes. He blames labour unions and not his own bad policy for his [...]
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Show Solidarity for Striking Peel Workers
posted on June 26, 2012CUPE 966 Solidarity BBQ (Tuesday, June 26 @ Noon) Join striking members of CUPE Local 966 for a solidarity barbeque and help call for a fair settlement. This mostly female workforce deserves a fair contract that grants them equal treatment with other workers in the region. Your support can help restore the vital services they [...]
Read MoreUrgent: Support Needed for Students Occupying Minister Glen Murray’s Office to Drop Tuition Fees
posted on June 22, 2012Post-secondary students from across the GTA are currently occupying the office of Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Glen Murray to drop tuition fees. Please support them by bringing members and flags to join the picket outside of Murray’s Cabbagetown Constituency Office today between now and 4:00 pm and help to spread the word.
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No More Broken Promises! OFL Statement on National Aboriginal Day, June 21, 2012
posted on June 21, 2012After years of inaction on critical Aboriginal land and resource matters and its refusal to protect the sacred burial sites of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation on Big Trout Lake, the Government of Ontario finally showed signs of conceding. In March 2012, the McGuinty Government relented to public pressure and issued a temporary stop to all mining activity on KI land, but the moratorium didn’t apply to Toronto-based God’s Lake Resources, which staked its claims early enough to get in under the wire.
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“Toby’s Law” Marks Break-Through for Human Rights
posted on June 13, 2012On the opening day of the OFL’s Out@Work Conference, delegates were joined by NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park) who announced the second reading passing of Bill 33, Toby’s Act (Right to be Free from Discrimination and Harassment Because of Gender Identity or Gender Expression). In her fourth attempt to secure Human Rights Code protections [...]
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Toxic River Poisons Grassy Narrows
posted on June 8, 2012The people of Grassy Narrows have sustained themselves for thousands of years on their traditional territory – 2,500 square miles of forest, lakes and rivers north of Kenora, Ontario. Now plans for clear-cut logging, mining and the legacy of residential schools, hydro damming, relocation, and mercury poisoning threaten to uproot the way of life of [...]
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Open Letter to Québec Students:
posted on June 6, 2012On behalf of over one million workers in Ontario, I am writing to you to express our strongest solidarity with your movement to stop tuition fee hikes and maintain a high quality, accessible post-secondary education system in Québec. We salute your movement’s determination to continue in the face of an intransigent government and violent police crack-downs.
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Sid Ryan: Redirecting our priorities (Guest Column in the Toronto Sun)
posted on June 2, 2012Sid Ryan, Guest Columnist Article Appeared in Print Edition: Saturday, June 2, 2012 Read the article on the Toronto Sun website and share your comments Quebec is currently gripped in a not-so-quiet revolution and, in an ironic twist, it is the children of the ’60s and ’70s who led an era of momentous social upheaval [...]
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Sid Ryan: The case for zero tuition (Opinion Article in the National Post)
posted on June 1, 2012Numerous National Post columnists have argued that striking Quebec students should just accept higher tuition rates. I don’t get that argument. In Ireland, where I’m from, education is free from kindergarten through university. It seems absurd to me that we charge our young people any college or university fees at all, given that their skills and knowledge will propel our economy.
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Mississauga Solidarity Rally for CUPE 966 – Friday, June 1 @ 1:00 pm
posted on May 29, 2012Dear Sisters and Brothers, Your support is crucial in helping the striking Human Services members of CUPE 966 get a fair contract from the Region of Peel. The big pink CUPE 966 Flying Squad bus has become one of the most visible and consistent features of every rally and picket line throughout the province. Now [...]
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