Child protection workers in South Western Ontario vote to strike as part of province-wide effort to reverse years of social services cuts

Brantford and Niagara Falls, Ontario—Child protection workers represented by CUPE 7070 and CUPE 2328.1 have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. Joining thousands of social services workers across Ontario, they are part of the Worth Fighting For campaign—a growing, province-wide movement demanding fair wages and renewed investments in public services. These dedicated workers protect…

Parents and educators urge Ford to sign new federal child care agreement, in light of Auditor-General’s report

Community provides Roadmap to solving issues identified in Auditor’s report   ONTARIO – The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC) is welcoming a new report from Ontario’s Auditor-General, which calls on the Ford government to fix gaps in the early learning and child care system, including improving equitable access and workforce development. The report…

Bucking an anti-union campaign by their employer, workers at John Ross Robertson Child Centre vote to join CUPE

TORONTO – In the days after CUPE filed an application for certification to unionize child care workers at John Ross Robertson Child Centre (JRRCC) in Toronto’s Avenue Road and Lawrence neighbourhood, the employer circulated an anti-union memo to all workers discouraging them from voting Yes for a union. The memo was full of half-truths and…

Province, agency failing children as Windsor CAS lays off 10% of frontline workers and closes Essex-County service location

WINDSOR, ON – On March 19, the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society laid off 26 workers – about 10 percent of their non-management staff, putting the safety of children at risk, say CUPE members working at the agency. The CAS also targeted their Leamington Office for closure at the end of this month – an additional…

“Protect Ontario Families”: Over 100 child care organizations send Open Letter to Ontario Premier Doug Ford urging him to sign $10aDay child care funding extension

TORONTO – Over 100 Ontario organizations – including child care programs from across Ontario and provincial early learning and child care associations – have come together to send an Open Letter to Premier Doug Ford today in response to news that the federal government has offered all provinces and territories 5-year extensions to their Canada-Wide…

“Women and children will suffer most”: Durham District School Board to shutter beloved childminding program for newcomers to Canada

Durham Region, ON – A beloved childminding program for newcomers to Canada will be closing its doors and laying off nine childminding professionals in the Durham region. The Care for Newcomer Children (CNC) offers free on-site childminding services for newcomer parents attending English language classes. The CNC has provided free childminding services for over 25…