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LINDSAY, Ont. Over 1,200 people packed the Lindsay Fair Grounds to hear legendary rocker Kim Mitchell at a free concert tonight presented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Called Rock for Public Services,’ the event was one of a series of rock concerts that CUPE Ontario has held in cities across the province to celebrate and bring home the importance of public services.
This is our way of thanking people in The Kawarthas for their ongoing support and dedication to preserving public services that are the bedrock of strong communities, said CUPE Ontario Vice- President Candace Rennick. Earlier this year, residents stood by CUPE 855 municipal workers as they challenged City of Kawartha Lakes Mayor Ric McGee to stop the privatization and contracting out of public services.
Speaking at the event, Rennick told the crowd, CUPE workers are there when you have your first-born at the hospital to when your parents go into a nursing home. It is CUPE workers providing public services like hydro and water and snow plowing, at your schools, libraries and community centres as well as the paramedics who provide life-saving services.
According to CUPE Ontario, the provincial government and local municipalities mistakenly believe that contracting out and privatizing services is going to save them money. In the long term, privatization costs taxpayers more and delivers less.
When work is contracted out to the lowest bidder, this hurts your community, said Rennick. People cannot afford to live on $10 to $12 an hour. They cannot purchase goods and services from the small business community. They can’t afford to buy a home, put their kids into baseball and hockey leagues or send them to university. This hits communities hard.
Rennick added that residents need to stand up for quality public services and not let politicians sell them off through privatization, contracting out or relocation of these jobs and services.
Rennick said that CUPE Ontario was proud to feature local talent like Cycle Fish as well as the all-female band DAME, recent winner of two Toronto Independent Music Awards for Best Alternative Rock Band and Best Song. This was a great way to inform a lot of people about the value of quality public services.
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For more information, contact:
Candace Rennick CUPE Ontario Vice-President 705-743-0600
Valerie Dugale CUPE Communications 647-225-3685
