We Are Ontario Niagara & Region Actions

RELEASE: Ontario Takes Last Place in Jobs, Social Programs and Income Equality

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 19, 2015  MEDIA RELEASE Ontario Takes Last Place in Jobs, Social Programs and Income Equality:  New Report Says Fully Half of Ontarians are Caught in a Backslide (Toronto, Ontario) – An Ontario-wide coalition of more than 90 labour and community groups concerned with growing inequality released an alarming report today that delivers a grim warning about the erosion of income transfer programs, social programs and a labour force that is leaving millions behind. “Ontario is dead last in funding for social…

ADVISORY: Startling New Report to Show that Ontario is the toughest Province to Live and Work

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 18, 2015  MEDIA ADVISORY Startling New Report to Show that Ontario is the toughest Province to Live and Work: Coalition of 90 Community Groups to Release Damning Report on Ontario’s Rising Inequality (Toronto, Ontario) – A cross-Ontario coalition concerned with growing income inequality is releasing a damning new report that shows that for all but the highest income earners, Ontario has become the most difficult province to earn a living and raise a family. The report will demonstrate that by nearly…

Harper’s Record on Income, Inequality and Canada’s Social Safety Net

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Harper’s Record on Income, Inequality and Canada’s Social Safety Net With October 19th Election only days away, the Ontario Common Front and the Ontario Federation of Labour has put together a fact sheet, entitled “Ruthless: The Harper Record on Income, Inequality and Canada’s Social Safety Net.” This informative document reminds voters about the Harper cuts to Old Age Security, Health Care, Arts and Culture, Women’s Advocacy, Pay Equity, Humanitarian Groups and First Nations/Aboriginal Programs. The fact sheet also comments on Harper’s track record when it…

OFL/ONIWG Compensation Conference

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The OFL and the Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups will host a Compensation Conference on June 1 and 2, 2015. For information, please contact: Laurie Hardwick at 416-347-9732 or LHardwick@ofl.ca

OFL 13th Biennial Convention

Action: Campaigns or Events | Cuts or Testimonials | Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The 13th biennial convetion of the OFL will be held at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel from November 22-27, 2015 DEADLINE FOR RESOLUTIONS: OCTOBER 26 DEADLINE FOR CREDENTIALS: NOVEMBER 9

Ontario Common Front South Asian Community Activism Awards – May 23, 2015

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Central Ontario » GTA | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

South Asian Community Activism Awards 2015 Join the community and labour as we come together to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month and recognize community activists. Performances | Dinner | D.J. | Dancing May 23, 2015 − 7:00 pm Sagan Banquet Hall − 7180 Edwards Blvd − Mississauga, Ontario [map it!] Buy Tickets! Individual: $70 Table of 10 tickets: $700 Become a Sponsor for $1,000! Support important community activism, receive 10 tickets and the prominent display of your logo Contact Paulette Hazel: 416-443-7667 or phazel@ofl.ca Click…

ADVISORY: Ontario’s Largest Anti-Poverty Conference to Draw Speakers from U.S. “Fight for $15” and Québec Student Movement

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 15, 2015 ADVISORY: Ontario’s Largest Anti-Poverty Conference to Draw Speakers from U.S. “Fight for $15” and Québec Student Movement   (TORONTO, ON) ─ Organizers of the Ontario Common Front Anti-Poverty Assembly are anticipating over 500 people to participate in the two-day conference this weekend in Toronto. Topping the roster of impressive speakers are Chicago “Fight for $15” minimum wage activist Jessica Davis, former Québec student leader Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois and award-winning author Linda McQuaig. Organized by the Ontario Common Front and the…

Ontario Common Front to Host Anti-Poverty Assembly from April 17-18, 2015

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Ontario remains a wealthy province inflicted with the disease of poverty. The only way to reverse the trend towards greater inequality is through broad and diverse organizing to demand meaningful change at every level. The Ontario Common Front and the Ontario Federation of Labour are calling on you to join students, workers, retirees and community and anti-poverty activists at an Anti-Poverty Assembly on April 17 and 18 at the University of Toronto. Together, we will draft, develop and launch a “Solidarity Against Inequality” campaign, designed…

Why Ontario’s Retirement Pension Plan is a good idea

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Like universal health care in 1960, the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) is a plan without proof, so it can be criticized as impractical, too expensive, likely to fail, likely to offer poor returns, be open to political interference and so on. You have to have faith that it can work and be as efficient as the Canada Pension Plan, a model other countries turn to. Click HERE to read more:  

Ontario is left with few options to fix its revenue problem

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

When it comes to seeking new revenues, some politicians like to claim that economic growth will somehow increase and greater tax revenues will naturally follow. More growth would certainly be nice, but it isn’t something a government can just will into being. The Ontario government needs to find more revenues in the actual economy, not some fantasy one. Ms. Wynne will therefore be thinking about raising tax rates. And she will immediately encounter a tension between which taxes are least economically damaging and which are…

POVERTY: Community gardens grow friendships

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Click HERE to learn more about how community gardens in the Niagara region have benefited both   the people and the community as a whole.

Canada Revenue Agency says ‘preventing poverty’ not allowed as goal for charity

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The Canada Revenue Agency has told a well-known charity that it can no longer try to prevent poverty around the world, it can only alleviate poverty – because preventing poverty might benefit people who are not already poor. The bizarre bureaucratic brawl over a mission statement is yet more evidence of deteriorating relations between the Harper government and some parts of Canada’s charitable sector. Click HERE for the entire report.

Health Providers Against Poverty issue open letter to Wynne, Hoskins and Jaczek on necessary action for the next Poverty Reduction Strategy

Action: Cuts or Testimonials | Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

We were pleased that Premier Wynne’s Speech From The Throne announced plans for a new poverty reduction strategy for Ontario. Health Providers Against Poverty is an Ontario-based collective of doctors, nurses, and other frontline healthcare professionals. As health care providers, we see daily the devastating impacts of low income on our patients’ health. Individuals at the lower end of the income spectrum are at greater risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and mental health illness. In the health system, individuals living…

Can Kathleen Wynne change the conversation on poverty?

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

These are tough times in Ontario. Once an economic giant, Ontario now has one of the largest debt-loads of any sub-national government in the world. And on a day-to-day basis for many, Ontario is a province in crisis. Forty per cent of those who suffer food insecurity  in Canada live in Ontario. A job in the province no longer protects against poverty – a full 10% of those using food banks are gainfully employed. Immigrants, newcomers and other vulnerable groups are over-represented in precarious employment, often working…

Study shows poverty among urban Aboriginal people in Hamilton in a major barrier to good health

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

78 per cent of First Nations adults in Hamilton earn less than $20,000 per year, according to study: Hamilton’s urban aboriginal people face multiple barriers to health care, significant rates of chronic disease and elevated emergency room visit levels compared to the rest of the city, according to a landmark study from St. Michael’s Hospital. The study, published Thursday in medical journal BMJ Open, marks the first time researchers have accessed detailed information about how an urban aboriginal population in Canada uses health care. Read…

Poverty: Older women face life on assistance

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Older women in St. Catherines facing life on social assistance: She thought she was done with welfare. A long time ago, she had dug herself out. Raised three girls on her own. Felt the sting of embarrassment for having to put items back at the grocery store checkout because her food voucher wasn’t enough to buy everything in the cart. Worked wherever she could. In a foundry grinding the rough edges off the plumbing parts. As a survey clerk in an office. She put herself…

OFL Response to Wynne’s Budget: Government Must Go Further to Reverse Austerity

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The Ontario Federation of Labour welcomes the measures in today’s budget that will make the province a better place for workers, but warns that it will continue to vigorously oppose all forms of privatization and cuts that unfairly place the burden for reducing the deficit on the backs of workers. Read more by clicking  HERE.

Advocates push back against targeting the poor in downtown Hamilton

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Decision-makers hoping to stop loitering downtown risk criminalizing the poor and marginal, say social advocates. They say broader community solutions are needed, not a crackdown that excludes certain kinds of people from public spaces. The city’s task force for cleanliness and security in the downtown is looking at a three-year pilot project that would dedicate a bylaw enforcement officer and police officer to the area around Gore Park, similar to a program in Barrie. To read more about what is being done in Hamilton, click HERE for…

Kathleen Wynne should choose growth over austerity

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Kathleen Wynne campaigned and won on an anti-austerity platform. Will she deliver? Already, Ontario’s Liberal premier is being advised to backtrack on her promise to spend more for infrastructure and necessary services. To read more, click HERE.

How is Ontario’s Middle Class Faring? A TVO Debate

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Is Ontario’s middle class among the richest in the world, as the New York Times would have us believe, or is it struggling to stay afloat, as per the rhetoric of many a provincial politician? Steve Paikin, host of TVO’s current affairs show The Agenda, brings the CCPA’s Senior Economist Armine Yalnizyan, Andrew Coyne from the National Post and Mike Moffatt from they Ivey School of Business to the table to crunch the numbers and debate which of these declarations is closer to the truth. Click HERE for…

The Case for a Stronger Fair Wage Policy in Ontario

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

This report analyzes Ontario’s fair wage policy, which has not been modernized since it was introduced in 1995. It draws from a broad range of examples to show how a modernized fair wage policy can be a critical link to bring construction tendering policy in line with government policy objectives pertaining to skills training and apprenticeships, improved health and safety outcomes, and tackling the underground economy in construction. It could strengthen Ontario’s apprenticeship system, it could improve health and safety outcomes, it could help tackle…

The number of people receiving Ontario Works in Muskoka is declining

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

In May 2014, following a continuing trend of year-over-year diminished numbers, there were 1,033 people, in Muskoka, on Ontario Works, 2.64 per cent less than 2013. Click HERE for the full story.  

Legal Aid hopes to discourage feuding couples from acting as own lawyers

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Legal Aid Ontario’s new benefits are aimed at many couples who can’t afford a lawyer and try to represent themselves in family law court. Legal Aid Ontario is embarking on a significant expansion of legal services in family law that could chip away at the swelling masses of self-represented litigants and steer couples away from lengthy court battles. A pair of programs, which will be announced later in july, will offer financially eligible couples free access to a family lawyer to negotiate separation agreements and…

Ontario’s workers’ compensation system is under attack

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Former WSIB chair, Odoardo Di Santo, says Ontario’s workers’ compensation system is under attack from within – changes “are undermining decades of progress” and “all Ontarians ought to oppose” them: To access the full article on the Toronto Star website, click the link HERE.

Submission – Ontario Minimum Wage Advisory Panel

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

In the lead up to the 2013 Ontario provincial budget, the OFL coordinated a province- wide consultation that culminated in the release of a People’s Budget. It included a set of recommendations about how to make Ontario a more fair and equitable province. One key recommendation was to: “Raise the minimum wage to $14 per hour, which is 10 percent above the poverty line based on a 35-hour week, and de-politicize the minimum wage by implementing a formula that would determine regular future increases.” Fairness…

Falling Behind: Ontario’s Backslide into Widening Inequality, Growing Poverty and Cuts to Social Programs

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Thirteen million of the most highly educated people in the world call Ontario home. Endowed with rich natural resources, vast tracts of farmland, quadrillions of litres of freshwater, the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield, and an industrial hub that stretches across its southern reaches; it is almost inconceivable that this province houses a generation of residents who are experiencing the largest increase in inequality in this province’s history. Yet the evidence is indisputable. Ontario is falling behind the rest of Canada in terms of…

OFL President’s Report – 2014.06.16

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Here is a look at the Latest OFL’s President Report. Within this report is and address from the OFL president himself, Sid Ryan, a review of the past election and much more information about today’s labour movement. Click HERE to access the report.

OFL Submission – Youth Unemployment and Underemployment

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

In Ontario, the recent recession and the austerity measures that followed have had a disproportionate impact on young people. Their struggles foretell a broader low-wage future for all Ontarians if our government does not change course. The scope and depth of the challenges facing young workers demand a new, progressive approach to public policy and managing the economy. Young people across the province are calling on the provincial government to put job creation and the well-being of people and communities ahead of deficit reduction and…

Working for Less: The Coming Threat to Union Security in Ontario

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The role of unions as a progressive force in Canadian society and a voice for all workers is being challenged across the country. Historically, legislation has both supported and limited unions’ ability to negotiate and advocate for improved living and working conditions for workers. In recent years, changes have been made and proposed at the federal and provincial levels that erode some of the security that has previously been afforded to unions. A cornerstone of Canadian labour legislation – the Rand Formula – is one…

Employment Insurance in Canada: Hitting Rock Bottom

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Cuts to Canada’s Employment Insurance Program are making it harder to help some of the most vulnerable people in today’s society. Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) produced this video about the cuts in Employment-Insurance. There’s also a press release attached to it. Access the video below: watch?v=hK3L5F4cAgk To access the Press Release click HERE: In order to access more information, click HERE to be redirected to their website I invite you to share this video as widely as possible !

Ontario’s Gender Gap: Women and Jobs Post-Recession

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

A recovery strategy that aims to put Ontario back where it was in 2007 means no progress for women. Women had lower levels of employment and higher levels of poverty before, during and after the recession. Young women were among the biggest losers during the recession – experiencing nearly double the rate of decline in their employment as young men. At the other end of the spectrum, the numbers of women who stayed in the workforce after age 65 doubled betwen 2007-2013. Single mothers with…

More Support on the Way for Ontario Families

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) has increased by $100 annually per child. This is a very important program Ontario families mitigate finical struggle when taking care of their children. To find out more about what this means for the families of Ontario, click on the link HERE.

Steve Paikin’s roundup of “what else happened” in the Ontario election

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Yes there was a Liberal Majority Government, but within the article below, find out what also happened during this year’s Ontario Provincial election! Ontario Election Facts

ODRT COURSE: EDUCATION SECTOR SUMMER SCHOOL

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

Brock University Workshops:medical Orientation: Level 1: (Rights and Obligations); Level 2: (Benefits and Services). For more information, Contact Norm Westbury at 905-688-5550 ext 2978. Email: norm.westbury@gmail.com

2014 ONTARIO PRIDE EVENTS

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Summer: LGBTG pride events- A provincial list of LGBTQ pride events ar eposted on the OFL website Visit the link below for to access information on the upcoming events PRIDE EVENTS Come out and support!

Dr. Danielle Martin, who says doctors “should be at the front of the parade to try to reduce poverty in Canada”

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Meet Danielle Martin, the health care leader heard across North America. Doctor Martin is  the leading advocates for publicly funded healthcare in North America.  Martin  beleives that “as physicians we see the negative impact of poverty on the health of our patients every day. We should be at the front of the parade to try to reduce poverty in Canada.” In order to find out more about Danielle, click HERE to read more about who and what Danielle envisions for the future of North American Healthcare!

Ontario Human Rights Commission issues new policy on rights of people with mental illness and addictions

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The new policy – which comes at a time when statistics suggest one in five Canadians experience a mental health illness in any given year – offers those dealing with mental illness, as well as their employers, landlords and other service providers “user-friendly” advice on how to best identify and combat rights violations. This policy is saying that people with mental health issues are protected under the human rights code. They have rights. Employers, service providers, landlords all have responsibilities and we need to understand…

Why we need an Ontario Pension Plan

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Hello everyone, In the province of Ontario, there are 6 million workers, half of which dont have any type of pension plan. These three million Ontarians are looking at retirement years where their only income will be the Canada Pension Plan which pays a maximum of $1,038 monthly. This is not enough for people to live. The article found within the link below can give you more information on why Ontarians are  in need of a provincial pension  Ontario Pension Plan Enjoy!

Ontario’s 2015 Rent Increase Guideline Set at 1.6 Per Cent

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Ontario Government Committed to Affordable Housing Ontario is capping rent increases for 2015 at 1.6 per cent.  The cap, also known as the rent increase guideline, is the maximum a landlord can raise a tenant’s rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board. It applies to rent increases between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2015. The guideline is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation calculated monthly by Statistics Canada. It is calculated under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006,…

Peoples’ Social Forum August 21-24, 2014

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The Peoples’ Social Forum will open on August 21 with a traditional Algonquin ceremony at sunrise and a celebratory peoples’ march in the afternoon. August 21 and 22 will see hundreds of participant-led workshops happen simultaneously at the University of Ottawa.  Saturday, August 23 will be a day of movement assemblies.  The last day there will be a final all-movements assembly and closing ceremony.   The Peoples’ Social Forum is also a joyous gathering with special exhibitions, work and peoples history tours, film screenings, critical mass…

Celebrate International Women’s Day, Saturday March 8, 2014

Action:

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Central Ontario » GTA | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Hello Everyone, Please join us in celebrating International Women’s Day in Toronto on Saturday March 8th, 2014. We want to build an even larger turn-out than usual marching through the streets, raising our voices, and calling for the kind of city and society we want. This is an important year to show the strength of the women’s movement. We are having an October municipal election and most likely a provincial election will be soon. Let them know our strength! Invite your family, friends and co-workers….

Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion: Upcoming Events

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Central Ontario » GTA | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

OF NOTE Upcoming Community Events and Commemorative Days FEBRUARY Black History Month FEBRUARY 15 First Aid and CPR Training Courses February 15 th and 16th Presented by Golden Horseshoe Green Tech – GHGT Fees applicable. To register please visit www.ghgt.ca , call 1-855-668-4448 or emailing lab@ghgt.ca   FEBRUARY 15 National Flag of Canada Day FEBRUARY 15 Fiesta del Amor y la Amistad Presented by Fraternity Hispanic Association Ukrainian Hall 821 Upper Wentworth 7:00 pm Baile, Comida Latina, Bar $10 por persona – cupo limitado Para…

Feathers of Hope: First Nations Youth Action Plan

Action:

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern

Feathers of Hope: First Nations Youth Action Plan to be released on Monday, February 24, 2014! As you may recall, in March 2013, we held a forum in Thunder Bay, Ontario for First Nations youth called Feathers of Hope. Over the five days of the forum, more than 100 youth from First Nations communities across northern Ontario gathered to share their lived experiences, talk about issues of importance, and share the outcomes of their discussions with leadership from First Nations, provincial, federal and municipal government…

Book Launch and Discussion with Olivia Chow

Action:

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Central Ontario » GTA | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Olivia Chow visits Ryerson Wednesday January 29th to discuss her new book, the memoir  ‘My Journey’. Ms. Chow will be in conversation with Cathy Crowe (Ryerson Distinguished Visiting Practitioner) and a panel of Ryerson students. All are welcome to attend. Ms. Chow’s memoir examines the events, people and ideals that have shaped her journey from childhood immigrant to leading Canadian elected official. This event is co-sponsored by the Sam Gindin Chair, The Jack Layton Chair and the Ryerson Students Union. A light lunch and refreshments…

Save Canada Post! Toronto Town Hall Meeting

Action:

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Central Ontario » GTA | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

SAVE CANADA POST! TORONTO TOWN-HALL MEETING Fri. Jan. 24 @ 7:00pm OPSEU Hall 31 Wellesley St. E. (across the street from Wellesley subway station) Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/254589278039010/ Our postal service is under attack by Harper’s Conservatives. Deepak Chopra, CEO of Canada Post, has announced cuts to home delivery and 6,000-8,000 layoffs. His response, when asked about the implications of cutting home mail delivery for elders, was that the elderly needed exercise. This is coming from a man who makes $500,000 a year. The attempt to gut Canada…

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

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

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…

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

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern

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:…

ACORN Canada 2013 Convention

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

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

Where is our OBAMA?

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Central Ontario » GTA | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

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

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

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

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…

ODSP Post Card Campaign to MPP

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

OPSEU is having a campaign to save the Community Start Up and Maintenance Benefit and to keep the Ontario Disability Support Program as a Provincially delivered program for persons with disabilities. You can participate by going to your Local ODSP Office from Dec. 11 – 17th between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. ODSP staff will be outside the office and will give you a post card for your signature. Our plan it to present all the postcards to the MPPs during the…

Homeless in Niagara hit by austerity budget

Action: Cuts or Testimonials

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

The Liberals cut the Community and Start up Benefit and put in a new funding program. The end result is that $4.2 million will no longer be available to the Region of Niagara for issues related to homelessness some of which was used to fund the emergency energy fund and to provide emergency hostels. It is an 88% cut Last year over 11,200 households benefitted from the program. More than 1/2 of the households used it for rent deposits and 23% used it to prevent…

Communities in Crisis: Welland

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Click here to read the Canadian Labour Congress report on Welland, a community in crisis.

ODSP/OW Home Repairs Benefit to be Cut

Action: Cuts or Testimonials

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The Home Repairs Benefit helps people on assistance pay for things like emergency plumbing repairs, patching a leaky roof, or repairing damage from fire or floods. The only alternative for people on OW or ODSP who own their own homes will be programs that provide loans for repairs – which people on OW and ODSP cannot afford to repay. The government stopped accepting new applications for the Home Repairs Benefit as of June 30, with the intention of spending all the remaining funds in this…

ODSP/OW Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit Cut

Action: Cuts or Testimonials

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The Community Start-up and Maintenance Benefit is being cut. The Community Start-up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB) is important because: It is targeted to assist people on social assistance – people who rely on OW or ODSP are among the most vulnerable in Ontario. It provides people with the direct assistance they need to retain their housing and prevent homelessness – it can help them pay their rent or utility arrears, or help them move to safer or more secure housing. It is a mandatory benefit…

Grimsby Hospital Expansion Stopped

Action: Cuts or Testimonials

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

As a new resident to the Grimsby area, I am absolutely appalled at the idea that the hospital expansion will be stopped. It is impossible to find a walk in clinic in this town and as a result I believe that many people end up in the hospital. Surely expansion is the key to alleviating an already acute problem. The staff are in need of better facilities in order to provide a better level of care. The good citizens of this and the surrounding towns…

Two high school closures in Niagara region

Action: Cuts or Testimonials

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

The District School Board of Niagara has voted to close Kernahan Park and West Park secondary schools as of August 31st, 2013

West Lincoln Memorial Hospital project cancelled

Action: Cuts or Testimonials

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

The redevelopment project for the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital was cancelled by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term care

Ontario Early Years Centre closed

Action: Cuts or Testimonials

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

The Ontario Early Years Centre in Winona, the St. John’s site, was closed on March 31st, 2012

9th Annual Ontario Economic Summit: Emerging Stronger

Action:

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

November 6th-8th, 2012 White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Engaging business and civic leaders to build a prosperous economy. OES is putting regional economies at the forefront of the province’s economic development.

OFL Equity Conference

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Friday, November 9th 6700 Fallsview Blvd, Niagara Falls This conference is a follow up to the OFL’s Equity Retreat. The conference theme is “We Are Ontario: Putting Equity Ahead of Austerity” and is will be open to members who belong to the OFL’s equity-seeking constituencies as well as community groups. Registration details will be posted on the OFL website as they become available.

The People’s Forum 2

Action: Campaigns or Events

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Saturday, October 20th Project of the Hamilton & District Labour Council, Solidarity Place Worker Education Centre & McMaster University Labour Studies Programme The goal of the People’s Forum Teach-in is to bring union and other community activists together around a general theme of mobilizing against the government austerity agenda.