22 July, 2016
The Honourable Kevin Flynn
Ontario Minister of Labour
400 University Ave.
Toronto, ON M7A 1T7
Dear Minister Flynn,
I am writing to you regarding the Changing Workplaces Review and growing concerns over the repeated delays of the release of its interim report that was originally expected in February.
The employment reality for millions of Ontarians is one of multiple part-time jobs, short-term contracts, disappearing well-paid, industrial jobs and public service workers trying to meet constantly increasing demands with constantly decreasing resources.
Working people are living in a state of constant stress, finding it harder and harder to make ends meet. Many of these workers have almost no protection in their jobs and their fear of losing employment is stopping many from speaking up when their rights and safety are being compromised.
It is widely recognized that both the Employment Standards Act and Labour Relations Act need to be amended in order to provide greater protection for Ontario workers. Your government’s undertaking of the Changing Workplace Review provided hope to many that you were serious about getting a true understanding of the problems we face and making the desperately required improvements to the current worker protection laws.
After repeated delays in the release of the committee’s interim report, many of us are now worried that your government may be backing off from its commitment to improving lives for regular working people. We truly hope this is not the case and are eager to see the committees finding and to continue to participate in the development of improved protection for all workers.
The special advisors on the committee have now spent more than a year collecting and analyzing submissions. It is our understanding that they are prepared to release their interim report and are waiting on you to approve the go ahead.
We are very keen to move forward with this important work. Can you please let us know when we can expect the report? Your attention to this matter is truly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Fred Hahn
President, CUPE Ontario
