Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement ignores the child care crisis in Ontario

Toronto, ON—The Ford Conservatives’ Fall Economic Statement fails families by continuing to ignore the importance of child care to our social and economic recovery. There was little mention of child care and no new, critically needed funding announced. Families and educators continue to wait for the Ford government to sign on to the federal child…

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Ontarians not fooled by Ford Conservatives’ economic pre-election gimmicks: CUPE Ontario

TORONTO, ON – Today’s Fall Economic Statement (FES) is a disturbing mix of accounting tricks and political spin designed to support the Ford Conservatives’ electoral ambitions rather than truly support Ontario’s workers and economy, still struggling through the pandemic. “Anyone who thinks Doug Ford has had a sudden change of heart and will stand up…

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Sioux Lookout Mayor and Council take risky gamble on child care; exposes region to possible loss of crucial services in “child care desert”, reports CUPE

Sioux Lookout, ON—Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) members at Biidaaban and Sioux Mountain Children’s Centres are fearful of child care space loss after the Municipality of Sioux Lookout announces transfer of child care services to the Kenora District Service Board (KDSB). “At a time when child care is crucial for our COVID-19 economic recovery,…

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Image shows Premier Ford and Minister Phillips, masked, with two others whose faces are unclear between them.

Ontario looks to increase accountability in long-term care sector with harsher fines

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario said the legislation missed the chance to stabilize precarious working conditions for staff and expressed doubt that the government could meet its direct care targets. “This new act is a serious disappointment that falls way short of where Ontario should be in improving care and staffing levels in…

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Image of Rod Phillips in a business suit, showing only from his shoulders up.

Ontario will double fines and order takeovers at nursing homes that break new rules

Nursing homes breaking the rules would see maximum fines doubled and the worst performers could face temporary takeovers under long-awaited legislation proposed in the wake of a pandemic that saw almost 4,000 vulnerable residents die. The bill, called the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, follows angry and anguished calls from families of loved ones in long-term…

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New Ontario LTC Act misses opportunity for reforms needed for better resident care, stable workforce and no more profit in care

TORONTO, ON – With this new Ontario Long Term Care Act, the Ontario government has missed an opportunity to enhance resident care by stabilizing the workforce with a guaranteed increase to full-time jobs and universal, across the board wage increases, says Candace Rennick, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario, secretary-treasurer. “Equally egregious is not…

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While the Ford government delays and distracts, child care advocates call for system overhaul; Ontario must make child care a right

TORONTO, ON – A recent announcement by the Ford government of targeted after-school recreation programs is a further distraction from the province’s failure to sign a child care deal, reports CUPE. Advocates urge Premier Ford to focus on making child care a right in the province by implementing $10-a-day child care and creating a workforce…

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Surge in violence against staff “creates toxic work environment,” deepening Ontario’s hospital staffing crisis

TORONTO, ON – Increasing violence directed at hospital staff is among factors driving the worsening staffing shortage in Ontario’s health sector, say two unions representing nearly 70,000 hospital workers province-wide. According to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and SEIU Healthcare, the gravity of the situation was underscored this week with the Ministry of…

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