The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), in solidarity with the people and workers of Belarus, condemns the authoritarian violence against peaceful protesters following the presidential election in Belarus. The OFL joins the Canadian Labour Congress in calling for an end to the violence, persecution, and arrests of peaceful protesters and demands the release of all…
The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) supports Black liberation groups and their call for the defunding of police services. Specific demands for change will look different from city to city, depending on the needs of the community. There is, however, an understanding that fundamental and disruptive change is required: defund the police. The OFL and…
WHAT IS ANTI-BLACK AND ANTI-INDIGENOUS RACISM? Anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism is an implicit and/or explicit bias, on an individual and institutional level, directed at Black people and members of Canada’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. It has historically and presently resulted in public policies and practices – including policing, educational, health care, labour market,…
Apply for the 2021 OFL/AIL Jack Layton Labour Post-Secondary Scholarship here. Dear OFL Members, The OFL is proud to be joined in partnership by American Income Life (AIL) Canada in calling for applications for the annual OFL/AIL Labour Post-Secondary Scholarships. To apply:Download the application form Two OFL members, or the children of members, will be…
The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) supports Black liberation groups and their call for the defunding of police services. Specific demands for change will look different from city to city, depending on the needs of the community. There is, however, an understanding that fundamental and disruptive change is required: defund the police. The OFL and…
A list of courses, readings, videos, and podcasts on anti-racism, compiled by the OFL Workers of Colour Committee, CBTU, and the OFL. COURSES How to show up in BIPOC-only spaces without white centering Anti-Racism 101 “Crash Course” Digital teach-in bringing together organizers and lawyers from across the country to engage in a discussion around policing Black…
“Ontario workers are seeing COVID-19’s effect on the Ontario economy, their families, and their workplaces every day. They must be meaningfully consulted on any plan for economic recovery,” said OFL President Patty Coates. “The labour movement urges the Ford government to take off its pro-business, anti-worker blinders and boldly consider the robust economic recovery plan that we are presenting. For the good of our province, it’s time to deliver health and safety laws that put workers first, strong public services, decent work laws, and justice for all.”
(Toronto) – The Ford Conservative’s proposal of a two-year pilot project that would remove nine statutory holidays from retail workers and leave them with only three shows the government’s callous and harmful attitude toward retail workers and their families. Despite recent accounts that this proposal was never meant to be implemented, the government had public…
We each must take action in our unions and communities to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Not only must the government immediately fund, collect, and publicly release race-based data, this information must then be linked to a meaningful and deliberate plan of action. These plans must be informed and endorsed by communities that are directly impacted and outline concrete measures from the government to immediately address any inequities or gaps that are identified.
The Ontario Federation joins the call for the Ford government to provide new provincial funding so child care operators can take the steps necessary for safe reopening across Ontario, including needed supports for educators, staff, programs, and facilities. “Families and educators in this province are saying the government’s plan for reopening without providing critical funding,…
The Ford government’s sidelining of the ministry responsible for worker protections will cost lives, and changes within the ministry are required. The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) has a legal mandate to protect the lives of all workers. It is the last line of defence when workers cannot get support and resolution…
The Ontario Federation of Labour joins the Ontario NDP MPP Jill Andrew’s call for Premier Doug Ford and Attorney-General Douglas Downey to appeal the Ontario Court of Appeal decision making voluntary intoxication a legitimate defense in sexual assault cases.
Ontarians are fed up with the Ford government’s failure to support the working people of Ontario, and they will be telling him so on Wednesday, June 3 with the Ford Failed Us Province-wide Day of Action, says the Ontario Federation of Labour.
From taking action in their communities, to sending a letter to their MPP, to asking questions of the Premier in a People’s Question Period, the workers of Ontario will tell the PCs that they have failed Ontarians.
The Ontario Federation of Labour is outraged and demands action, in solidarity with Black, Brown, Indigenous and all communities of colour, in the fight to end racism and white supremacy and joins the call for a full investigation into the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet. “Over and over again, we see the lethal effects of over-policing…
The Ontario Health Coalition sent an open letter to Premier Doug Ford signed by family councils, health professionals, social organizations, cultural organizations, seniors’ and retirees’ groups, health coalitions, legal clinics, and many others who collectively represent more than 1.5 million Ontarians. The OFL is one of the signatories to the letter. The letter is below. If…
The labour movement is devastated by the loss of Sister Megan Whitfield, who passed away suddenly on May 24. The OFL mourns with all who knew her.
Sister Whitfield was the first Black President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ (CUPW) Toronto Local, the largest local of CUPW. She played a key role at the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), where she was a core member of the Executive Board, Executive Committee and the Workers of Colour Committee. At the OFL convention, she co-chaired the convention resolutions committee.
May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). It is a day to celebrate the contributions made by 2SLGBTQI+ people to society. It is also a day to take action, increase awareness and affirm the fundamental rights of 2SLGBTQI+ people. Despite the progress that has been made over the years, 2SLGBTQI+…
The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) is seeking nominations from affiliates, local unions and labour councils for the SOLIDARITY & PRIDE CHAMPION AWARD. This annual award is to acknowledge and celebrate individuals or groups who have made a significant or ongoing contribution to the advancement of the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (2SLGBTQI+) human…
This list was last updated on May 1, 2020. Please note that this is a working document and will be updated frequently. For more information on OFL’s advocacy for workers during the COVID-19 crisis click here. Below is a policy timeline on COVID-19 for reference and sharing. The OFL will continue to monitor policy changes…