News

Friday Education Worker Protests @ Kathleen Wynne Constituency Office

https://www.facebook.com/events/506345389427641/

ISAC Budget 2013 Analysis: Moving Forward on Positive Social Assistance Reform

Budget 2013 has begun to make positive changes to a social assistance system that has continued to impoverish and cause hardship for low-income Ontarians. The majority of these changes apply to the Ontario Works (OW) program. After the Commission’s social assistance review report, starting the process of reform with positive changes to OW is the right way to proceed. The government has clearly heard the concerns of individuals and groups across Ontario about the negative impact of the report’s recommendations on people receiving ODSP. As…

Scarborough Education Workers’ Protest Wed. April 24

Come picket this Wednesday outside Soo Wong’s Liberal MPP HQ(2245 Kennedy Rd.)before and after the instructional day (7:45-8:15/3:35-4:15). All supporters of quality education and fair bargaining in Ontario are welcome. Facebook event http://m.facebook.com/events/356489294461619?_rdr

Young Conservatives On Campus

A group of Young Conservatives have popped up on the Durham College and UOIT campus recently. We don’t know much about them because their Facebook group is private and requires students to request approval for access. The group’s description simply states, “Supporting the students, supporting the country”. However, the current membership list boasts a who’s-who of Conservative Party insiders, MPs, MPPs and Young Conservative organizers from across Ontario. It seems the Conservative Party of Canada and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario have made our…

SAVE THE DATE: Trade Justice Network Meeting w/ information session on Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

You are invited to participate in a full-day Trade Justice Network meeting to discuss and strategize the Canada-EU CETA negotiations, and to hear from international experts about Canada’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement talks with India. Those who cannot make the meeting in person will be able to phone-in.   When: April 15, 2013, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: CEP Boardroom (301 Laurier Avenue at Bank Street), Ottawa (MAP http://tinyurl.com/bvbl8d8)   The meeting will be split into two parts:…

Join 25in5 in Calling for Poverty Reduction in the 2013 Budget – Send a Message to Party Leaders Today!

Ontario is facing an historic opportunity to invest in poverty reduction in the 2013 budget. We can’t let this opportunity to pass us by. The 2013 Budget can allow Ontarians living on low-incomes to Earn More, Keep More and see benefits Restored. A recent letter sent by the 25in5 Network for Poverty Reduction urges all political parties to make minority government work for all Ontarians by investing in poverty reduction initiatives.Take Action to show your support for poverty reduction in the upcoming budget by signing…

Ontario Common Front South Asian Community Activism Awards – June 1, 2013

Ontario Common Front South Asian Community Activism Awards 2013 Join the community and labour as we come together for a closing ceremony to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month and recognize community activist. Performances | Dinner | D.J. |  Dancing June 1, 2013 − 7:00 pm Sagan Banquet Hall − 7180 Edwards Blvd − Mississauga, Ontario [map it!] Buy Tickets! Individual: $60 Table of 10: $500 Become a Sponsor! Platinum: Half-page ad and 10 tickets for $1,000 Gold: Mention in the program and 10 tickets for…

Workshop on Migrant Labour: Protecting Rights, Building Solidarity

Protecting Rights, Building Solidarity: A Workshop on Migrant Labour and Immigration Issues April 5 and 6, 2013 Program runs Friday evening and all day Saturday Metro Hall, Plenary Room 308-309 55 John Street, Toronto Join workers, advocates, unions, experts and community allies who are committed to protecting and strengthening the rights of newcomers to our province’s labour market. Through speakers and participatory sessions, participants will examine the impact of current policies, explore solutions, and develop strategies for joint action. Download the flyer here and help…

ACORN Canada 2013 Convention

ACORN Canada 2013 Convention June 22-24 Toronto, Ontario (University of Toronto) Real People for Real Change The subsidized costs of the trip to the 2013 ACORN Convention in Toronto is $350 which includes: Room and Board Food (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) 2 Coach buses transport around the city $50 guarantees you a spot Phone: 613-746-5999 onacornot@acorncanada.org

Common Front South Asian Awards Dinner and Dance

Saturday June 1, 2013 Ontario Common Front South Asian Awards Dinner and Dance 7180 Edwards Blvd, Mississauga 6:00 p.m.

Where is our OBAMA?

Celebrate Black History Month Where is our Obama? What policies does she/he support? This event will be held February 28, 2013 at large boardroom, Public Service Alliance of Canada 90 Eglinton Avenue East Suite 608 Toronto On Event time 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. RSVP PSAC_Toronto-mail@psac.com Food and Refreshments provided

OCAP EMERGENCY MEETING — Homeless

OCAP is calling for an EMERGENCY MEETING to talk about homeless deaths in the city, the crisis in the shelter system and upcoming actions that we have called to continue to put pressure on the City of Toronto Thursday, February 28th 6:30pm @ St.Lukes Church (Sherbourne/Carlton, in the ‘Education Centre’ room) Important Update: No More Homeless Deaths Wednesday, February 20th, 2013 For the past several weeks, OCAP and allies have been forcing the issue of homeless deaths and the crisis in the Toronto shelter system…

Jan. 26 Rally for Rights & Democracy – 1:00 pm Allan Gardens, Toronto

Join the Ontario Federation of Labour and over 90 community groups for a rally at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 26 to bring our demands for democratic and economic rights directly to the Ontario Liberal Leadership Convention. The Ontario government has been shut down while workers’ rights are under threat and cuts to jobs and services are hurting every community. However, with an Ontario Liberal Leadership Race underway and a provincial election on the horizon, workers and community members are demanding new priorities for Ontario…

12 Days of Action to Stop Wage Theft

This holiday season we need you to take action to stop wage theft. Email Minister of Labour Linda Jeffrey and let her know what wage theft means to you this holiday season. We know that lots of families are struggling to pay the bills at this time of year. No one can afford missed payments of wages, bounced cheques or to not get paid for public holidays this season. But in Ontario at least 1 in 3 low wage workers face unpaid wages. The economic…

Media Advisory: Community-Labour Coalition joins education worker fight against Bill 115; hosts assembly to challenge cuts to services and rights

For Immediate Release December 6, 2012 (TORONTO, ON) ─ Hot on the heels of a nationally recognized report exposing Ontario’s growing income inequality, the Ontario Common Front is expecting hundreds to attend a general assembly this weekend where plans to challenge government cuts to public services, good jobs and democratic rights will be hashed out. “The Ontario Common Front is a coalition of over 100 community and labour groups  was born early this year in response to the Ontario Government’s deep budget cuts,” said Common…

Dec. 8: Ontario Common Front General Assembly

Ontario Common Front General Assembly Saturday, December 8, 2012 University of Toronto – Ontario institute for Studies in Education (OISE) 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Click here to visit the event page on Facebook. You are invited to the Ontario Common Front (OCF) General Assembly on Saturday, December 8, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) University of Toronto, 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto. We are facing an increasing crisis in Ontario…

Courage, a documentary about the working poor in Ontario and the growing income gap in Canada

Courage is a new documentary produced by the National Film Board of Canada. There is a special screening of the film sponsored by the Community Connections group of the Documentary Organization of Canada. Courage will be shown Tuesday, October 30th at 7pm at Hart House, University of Toronto. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with participants from the Worker’s Action Centre, the Ontario Federation of Labour, the director of the film, Geoff Bowie, and Bebeth Asseli, who tells her story in the…

Hammertheatre’s NAKED HAMILTON

WORLD PREMIERE OF SKY GILBERT’S NAKED HAMILTON AT THE ARTWORD ARTBAR Hamilton, Ontario (Saturday, September 22, 2012) For Immediate Release – NAKED HAMILTON is the seventh Sky Gilbert work presented by Hammertheatre to have its World Premiere in Hamilton, Ontario. Gilbert’s newest one-act play stars Elley-Ray Hennessy (HAMILTON BUS STOP) and Scott McCord (SCOTT MCCORD AND THE BONAFIDE TRUTH). The production will be presented at the Artword Artbar, located at 15 Colbourne Street, in Hamilton, Ontario, from November 15-25, 2012. THE PLAY: Hamilton’s changing. And…

K-W Record: Inequality report ranks Ontario last in Canada

–On Thursday, August 30, 2012 the Kitchener-Waterloo Record covered the launch of the Common Front Report. By Jeff Hicks, Record Staff WATERLOO — The austerity axe is killing equality in Ontario, and Waterloo Region in particular. So says a new report by a coalition of 90 labour and community organizations, which ranks Ontario dead last in Canada in every major social indicator. Two years ago, Ontario ranked third last. “Cuts, cuts, cuts, cuts,” said Waterloo Region Labour Council president Len Carter as the Ontario Common…

Toronto Star Editorial: Ontario is falling behind as an equitable society

– On Thursday, August 30, 2012 the Toronto Star ran the top editorial carrying the message of the Ontario Common Front. We’re 10th out of 10. Ontario has dropped to last place in Canada in supporting its most vulnerable citizens, according to a new report by the Ontario Common Front, a coalition of community groups, immigrant organizations, unions, First Nations and students. The statistics in the Falling Behind report, released Wednesday, are not new. What is new is that the study zeroes in on Ontario and compares it…

RELEASE: Ontario Leads in Poverty Increases and Dead Last in Social Program Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2012 MEDIA RELEASE Ontario Leads in Poverty Increases and Dead Last in Social Program Funding: New Report Says Ontario is Falling Behind An Ontario-wide coalition of more than 90 groups and organizations concerned with growing inequality released an unprecedented new report today showing that Ontario has sunk to last place in Canada when measured against every important social indicator. “Most people would be shocked to know that Ontario has seen the largest increase in income inequality and the second largest…

ADVISORY: Startling New Findings Show Ontario is Dead Last In Equality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, August 27, 2012 MEDIA ADVISORY Startling New Findings Show Ontario is Dead Last In Equality: Coalition of 90 Community Groups to Release Unprecedented Report (Toronto, Ontario) – A cross-Ontario coalition concerned with growing inequality is releasing an unprecedented new report that shows that Ontario has sunk to last place when measured against every important social indicator. The report demonstrates that not only are many Ontarians being left behind, but the entire province is falling behind the country and inequality is being…

“We Are Ontario”: Ninety Community and Labour Groups Plan Mass Rally Saturday to Demand Budget Fairness

(TORONTO, ON) ─ At a media conference held at Queen’s Park today, representatives of 90 community and labour groups unveiled a province-wide campaign, called “We Are Ontario,” to challenge lopsided budget priorities that promise more hardship for families while protecting the profits for big corporations. McGuinty’s cuts to jobs and services, which are the largest since Mike Harris’ first term of office, have stirred an opposition to match. “When voters reduced McGuinty’s government to a minority, they called for compromise and fairness in the legislature….

Media Conference Launches Labour and Community Campaign Against McGuinty’s Budget Cuts

A media conference to be held at Queen’s Park on Friday, April 20 at 10:00 am will launch a province-wide campaign, called “We Are Ontario,” that brings together over 90 labour and community groups to oppose unfair budget cuts that target poor and middle-class families while rewarding banks and corporations. The campaign is planning a 3:00 pm rally of thousands at Queen’s Park on Saturday, April 21 but it will start the prior evening with a mass community assembly, called the “Common Front,” from 3:00…

Promote the April 21 Rally in Different Languages

Customized online avatars have been released to help you promote the April 21 Day of Action Against Cuts in multiple languages. Help build broad awareness in every community by changing your social media profile image to one of the multilingual images below. Download FRENCH Download PORTUGESE Download SIMPLIFIED CHINESE Download SPANISH Download TAMIL Download VIETNAMESE

97 Busloads to Join Rally of Thousands Demanding Budget Fairness

With thousands already signed up to board 97 buses from as far away as Timmins, and thousands more planning to travel by foot, car and streetcar to the Queen’s Park Legislature, Saturday’s rally against McGuinty’s deep budget cuts is expected to demonstrate widespread public opposition only days before the final budget vote. “Ontarians are outraged by a budget that places the burden of addressing the provincial deficit at the feet of those least responsible for creating it in the first place,” said OFL President Sid…

“We Are Ontario” Launches Prime-Time Radio Ads

Scheduled to air in the week before the final budget vote on Premier Dalton McGuinty’s “bankers’ budget”, We Are Ontario began airing prime-time radio ads that take aim at the unfairness in the government’s fiscal priorities. While delivering deep cuts to families, the budget continues to hand billions away to banks and corporations through tax cuts and loopholes. These campaign radio ads tell the Premier: “Thereʼs a better way to balance the provincial budget than deep cuts to families. It is time for banks and…

Change your profile picture to promote April 21 Day of Action Against Cuts

Your action is urgently needed to promote the April 21 Day of Action Against Cuts: Change your profile picture on Facebook and Twitter to the attached image to promote April 21. Forward this image to all of your members and networks to request that they do the same. Add the attached picture to your outgoing email signature. Promote the Day of Action on your website and through all of your online tools. Post at least one new Tweet or Facebook update every day until April…

Join the April 21 Ontario Day of Action Against Cuts

At 3:00 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012, the labour movement and community groups will hold a mass Day of Action against budget cuts at Queen’s Park in Toronto. The province continues to hand out billions of dollars in corporate tax cuts through the front door while public and private sector jobs are disappearing through the back door. The Ontario government is preparing to table a slash-and-burn budget in late March or early April that will be guided by the hundreds of cuts that former…