(TORONTO, ON) – Premier-designate Doug Ford’s announcement of a public sector hiring freeze, except for “essential front-line services” in jails, fire, and policing, spells trouble for Ontario’s already overburdened and underfunded public services.
“Ontario hospitals and long-term care facilities, for example, are already in a state of crisis,” said Ontario Federation of Labour President Chris Buckley. “Ford’s hiring freeze will likely put our healthcare system under even greater pressure, will further stretch the workers that provide care and will no doubt negatively impact patients,” Buckley added.
“Ontarians value the important work our civil servants provide daily –whether that’s keeping us healthy and safe, educating our children, or providing the services that Ontarians rely on,” said Buckley. “Now is the time to invest in the people that deliver those services, to enhance the level and quality of our public services –not look to cut costs by further burdening workers already operating within systems that are not adequately funded.”
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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For further information contact:
Meagan Perry, Director of Communications
Email: mperry@ofl-org.flywheelsites.com
Phone: 416-894-3456 (cell)
