Niagara EMS must act now to protect patients who call 911, say CUPE paramedics

NIAGARA REGION, ON – The Niagara Region Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is putting people’s safety at risk by not providing paramedics and dispatchers the resources they need to serve patients, says Local 911 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 911). The union is calling on Niagara EMS and the regional municipality to act…

“From our struggles to our success”: CUPE Ontario’s statement on Transgender Day of Remembrance

On November 20, CUPE Ontario’s 280,000 members join our communities in observing Transgender Remembrance Day and in celebrating our collective victories while recommitting to addressing the many challenges that still exist. We take note that, while the commemoration of this day began as a memorial for trans people murdered and brutalized because of their identities, this history is ongoing and certainly…

“Wealth Tax Now”: CUPE Ontario calls on Province to institute changes to tax system

TORONTO, ON – Ontario must immediately address growing income and wealth inequality by radically restructuring the tax system to tax wealth and high incomes, said the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario during a press conference this morning. “CUPE Ontario’s 280,000 members are saying that, in the face of growing income and wealth inequality,…

Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement ignores the child care crisis in Ontario

Toronto, ON—The Ford Conservatives’ Fall Economic Statement fails families by continuing to ignore the importance of child care to our social and economic recovery. There was little mention of child care and no new, critically needed funding announced. Families and educators continue to wait for the Ford government to sign on to the federal child…

Ontarians not fooled by Ford Conservatives’ economic pre-election gimmicks: CUPE Ontario

TORONTO, ON – Today’s Fall Economic Statement (FES) is a disturbing mix of accounting tricks and political spin designed to support the Ford Conservatives’ electoral ambitions rather than truly support Ontario’s workers and economy, still struggling through the pandemic. “Anyone who thinks Doug Ford has had a sudden change of heart and will stand up…

Sioux Lookout Mayor and Council take risky gamble on child care; exposes region to possible loss of crucial services in “child care desert”, reports CUPE

Sioux Lookout, ON—Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) members at Biidaaban and Sioux Mountain Children’s Centres are fearful of child care space loss after the Municipality of Sioux Lookout announces transfer of child care services to the Kenora District Service Board (KDSB). “At a time when child care is crucial for our COVID-19 economic recovery,…

Image shows Premier Ford and Minister Phillips, masked, with two others whose faces are unclear between them.

Ontario looks to increase accountability in long-term care sector with harsher fines

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario said the legislation missed the chance to stabilize precarious working conditions for staff and expressed doubt that the government could meet its direct care targets. “This new act is a serious disappointment that falls way short of where Ontario should be in improving care and staffing levels in…