Ontarians should be deeply concerned at the speed and the manner with which the Ford government brushes away Charter rights by using back-to-work legislation, says the Ontario Federation of Labour. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the rights of all Canadians.
“Charter rights must be upheld in all cases, they are fundamental to democracy,” said Ontario Federation of Labour President Chris Buckley. “If Ontarians allow this government to treat Charter rights as though they are flimsy protections, that is what they will become, and we will all suffer as a result.”
The Ford government has repeatedly undermined Ontarians rights when it comes to workers’ issues. It used back-to-work legislation to end the strike at York University, and threatened to use the notwithstanding clause to force a reduction in the number of Toronto city councillors.
“These workers have not even gone on strike yet, and the government is proposing back-to-work legislation. The speed with which this government tosses out Charter rights should worry every Ontarian. This time it is power workers, but there is no telling who will be on the receiving end of these rash actions next,” said Buckley. “Once again, the government is quick to strip workers of their rights by meddling in a free and fair collective bargaining process.”
The Ford government recently used Bill 47 to take away workplace rights from Ontarians including two paid sick days and a scheduled January 1 increase to a $15 minimum wage, despite widespread protest from unionized and non-unionized workers across the province.
The OFL represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.OFL.ca and follow @OFLabour on Facebook and Twitter.
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To arrange interviews or for further information, please contact:
Meagan Perry
Director of Communications,
Ontario Federation of Labour
mperry@ofl-org.flywheelsites.com l 416-894-3456
