“We need additional measures to safely reopen campuses”: CUPE Ontario’s University Sector calls for capacity limits and physical distancing requirements

COVID-19, University

TORONTO, ON – The Government of Ontario’s decision to remove Step 3 guidelines, like physical distancing requirements and capacity limits for in-class instruction at Universities and Colleges, is a recipe for disaster, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario. Leaders from CUPE Ontario’s University Sector, representing academic workers and support staff, as well…

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Picture shows Rob Ford, wearing a black face mask, wearing a suit and positioned in front of two hanging Ontario flags.

Ontario didn’t spend money from COVID-19 response program in first quarter: watchdog

COVID-19 media stories, CUPE Ontario in the Media

TORONTO – Ontario did not spend any funds from a new $2.7-billion COVID-19 response program in the first quarter, the province’s fiscal watchdog found, prompting critics to question why the government didn’t use the money during the third wave. A Wednesday report from the Financial Accountability Office found health spending was $691 million lower than…

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The Ford Conservatives could have spent $2.6-billion to save lives: CUPE Ontario

COVID-19, Education, Governmental, Health Care, Municipal, Safe Schools, School Boards, Social Services, University

TORONTO, ON – In the middle of a fourth wave, the Ford Conservatives are still senselessly sitting on billions of dollars that could go towards saving lives and ensuring a recovery for all, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario. “The single clearest lesson of the last 18 months is that public services…

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Front-line staff and administrators at St. Joseph’s at Fleming, the only not-for-profit long-term care home in Peterborough, join forces to fight “unfair” Bill 124

COVID-19, Governmental, Social Services, Solidarity

Peterborough, ON — St. Joseph’s at Fleming front-line staff and home administrators banded together at a community rally today to tell the Ford government that a wage cap policy under Bill 124 is disproportionately harming not-for-profit care homes and must be repealed. Like other not-for-profit homes in Ontario, St. Joseph’s at Fleming is captured under…

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“Reconciliation can’t happen without space to remember”: CUPE Ontario condemns Ford Conservative refusal to make Truth and Reconciliation a provincial holiday

Governmental, Solidarity

When the Federal Government announced that, in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30th would become a statutory holiday in Canada, CUPE Ontario saw this is a necessary step in the right direction. It’s therefore disappointing and revealing that, unlike British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia, the Ford Conservatives will not formally recognize the day…

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Educators at York University Call to Protect Students and Workers with Remote Learning, Stronger Campus Protections

COVID-19, Governmental, Solidarity, University

TORONTO, ON – Over 350 professors, sessional instructors, teaching assistants, and administrative staff at York University have signed an open letter calling on President Rhonda Lenton to allow educators to opt for remote teaching – to protect their students and the broader campus community. “York’s ‘safety plans’ fail to account for the heightened danger posed…

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Students and Workers concerned about unsafe campus reopening plans

COVID-19, Governmental, Solidarity, University

Post-secondary students and workers in colleges and universities have faced many challenges throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. While the announcement that post-secondary institutions will be opening in the fall is exciting news, safety needs to be the top priority. Sadly, with less than a week before the fall term begins, guidelines have finally been introduced but…

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