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December 10, 2011
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Today is International Human Rights Day. This is a day to both celebrate our successes and consider the work that remains to be done.
This is an important day for Canadians. The United Nations declaration that began Human Rights Day in 1948 was largely drafted by a Canadian. And the idea of advancing human rights is an essential part of the Canadian identity.
But while we celebrate the legal freedoms Canadians have at home, to vote, to practice religion, to marry whomever they choose, we cannot lose sight of the distance we still have to go. Media attention on the crisis in Attawapiskat this month highlights that poverty is not equally divided among Canadians.
Many northern and First Nations communities are suffering, and it is high time that we took this situation more seriously. As a country, our dreadful treatment of First Nations has earned us rebukes from the United Nations. That should be anathema to our Canadian identity, and should have spurred us to action long ago.
As so many of our members know, though, inequality is not limited to First Nations. Across Canada, racialized workers and women earn a fraction of the national average. Unemployment among persons with disabilities is twice the national average. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people continue to be fired or shut out of workplaces. Youth unemployment is near record highs.
Because we recognize how serious these problems are, and how overdue are the solutions, CUPE Ontario launched a new Employment Equity campaign on December 1. As this campaign rolls out, we will work on member education to dispel the lies that have been spread about employment equity. We will work with locals to get employment equity included in collective bargaining. And we will look at our own leadership, committees and staff so that we can better lead by example.
The Employment Equity Campaign launch announcement is at https://cupe.on.ca/d1650/cupe-ontario-launches-employment, including a video of the event.
Like you, we want a fair, equal world in which all people can lead safe, healthy, happy lives.
We will continue to work towards that goal, and together we will build a better Ontario.
Sincerely,
Fred Hahn Candace Rennick
President, CUPE Ontario Secretary Treasurer
