Statement Pink Triangle Day 2026

CUPE Ontario marks Pink Triangle Day, the first major legal victory for the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Rights movement. That victory was the acquittal of the officers of Pink Triangle Press (Xtra’s parent), who had been charged with obscenity. Since the court’s decision had been handed down on February 14th, it was decided to be…

Ford Government passing the buck on university funding – students, workers and economy will pay the price

TORONTO – The Ontario government made a funding announcement today that will continue deep staff cuts, rising tuition fees and increased student debt. “The minister was long on scapegoating, but short on funding. Ontario has the worst university funding in Canada, and he’s passing the blame for his own cuts to other levels of government,…

Short-staffing and a mental health crisis behind resounding Essex-Windsor paramedics strike vote

WINDSOR, ON – In a strong show of unity, members of CUPE Local 2974 voted 100% in favour of strike action, delivering an overwhelming mandate in response to chronic short-staffing and unsafe working conditions at Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services. The service is short roughly 50 paramedics to meet the needs of residents, a shortage that…

CUPE 1328 Demands Clarity After TCDSB Signals End to School-Wide Child and Youth Workers

TORONTO – CUPE 1328, representing more than 2,000 education workers at the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), is raising serious concerns following reports that school administrators have been advised that schools are no longer required to maintain a Child and Youth Worker (CYW) in every school. According to CUPE 1328, principals have been informed…

Education workers condemn Sudbury Catholic School Board for abandoning negotiations on Monday

Sudbury, ON – CUPE Local 5569 education workers are condemning the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) after the Board walked away from the bargaining table on Monday and refused to continue negotiations. On Monday, the SCDSB’s negotiators informed the Union that it would no longer review proposals or provide counteroffers. The Board then left…

Health care workers protest government funding cuts at Ontario PC MPP Matthew Rae’s office as billion dollar revenue shortfall looms over Ontario hospitals

Over 1,000 positions already being eliminated in hospitals including North Bay, GTA, and Hamilton Stratford, ON – Health care workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees held a rally outside local Tory MPP Matthew Rae’s office on Tuesday in response to funding cuts by the Ford government. The government recently directed the hospitals…