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

Child Care, Municipal, Social Services

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

COVID-19 media stories, CUPE Ontario in the Media

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

COVID-19 media stories, CUPE Ontario in the Media

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

COVID-19, Health Care, Social Services

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

Child Care, Social Services, Solidarity

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

COVID-19, Health Care, Solidarity

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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“Everyone deserves the health care they need”: CUPE Ontario demands access to gender-affirming and transition-related procedures

Pink Triangle, Solidarity

TORONTO, ON – The new bill, the Gender Affirming Health Care Advisory Committee Act, is an essential piece of legislation that will save lives and ensure that make access to health care more equitable for all. And now that it’s passed second reading, it’s time to push it over the finish line, refuse to delay…

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Premier urged to look at real threats to Ontario hospital viability and staffing crisis; high workloads, chronic understaffing, high infection risks and violence

COVID-19, Health Care

TORONTO, ON – Responding to a recent letter from Premier Doug Ford asking for input, two of Ontario’s largest health care unions are urging him to move beyond the excuse of vaccination mandates and acknowledge the real reasons why there is a growing and critical shortage of nurses, personal support workers and other hospital staff…

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