There is widespread speculation that the April 27 Ontario Budget will announce government support for a $15 minimum wage — to be implemented in 2018. (See the news stories by: Bob Hepburn; Jaime Watt; Andrew Steele; and Mike Crawley.) There is further speculation that the government will signal its intention to amend Ontario’s labour and employment laws to better protect workers.
For this reason, the Fight for $15 and Fairness and the Ontario Federation of Labour, held a news conference earlier today to set out our expectations for the long-awaited final report of the Changing Workplaces Review. At the event, we set out 16 fundamental issues that must be included among the recommendations if the Final Report is to be meaningful. Without these foundational pieces, the Special Advisors will have failed to fulfill their mandate and the promise of the report to protect vulnerable workers.
“The objective of this review is
to improve security and opportunity for those made vulnerable by
the structural economic pressures and changes
being experienced by Ontarians in 2015.”
— Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour, May 14, 2015
Once the recommendations are released, it will be on the shoulders of Ontario government to take the lead in legislating the changes needed to — in the words of Kevin Flynn, Ontario’s Minister of Labour — “ensure that all Ontarians are protected and have the opportunities they deserve to fulfil their potential.”
We know that Ontarians want change. For the past two years, thousands have mobilized. We have made deputations, submitted letters, compiled research, met with MPPs, emailed the Premier, tweeted, collected signatures on petitions and rallied in communities across the province.
We are now dangerously close to the June recess of the Ontario parliament. Any delay in advancing decent work legislation reduces the time available to adopt the requisite legislation and puts the entire Review process at risk. That’s why we are demanding that our elected representatives release the final recommendations and implement the legislative changes that will fulfil the promise of the Review.
There is no room for complacency. We need to redouble our efforts to send a message to all our elected representatives that we want meaningful change in 2017 — we cannot wait for the next election. Join or organize an action or event near you:
UPCOMING EVENTS: Join one near you!
There are numerous actions and events being organized across Ontario! If you don’t see an action in your area, let us know how we can help you get one going!
Tuesday, April 25
TORONTO
Toronto-Wide Organizing Meeting
5:30PM – 8:00PM | 720 Spadina Ave, Suite 223 |Click here for a map
Join us for our next city-wide Fight for $15 and Fairness organizing meeting! We know we have the majority with us, but we need to organize this sentiment and put pressure on our MPPs to make sure we get the legislative changes we need in 2017!
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.
OTTAWA
Ottawa Organizing Meeting
6:30PM – 8:00PM | 25One Community, 251 Bank Street, 2nd floor |Click here for a map
Our window to win legislative change is getting smaller, so we need to escalate actions in our communities and workplaces, and put more pressure on MPPs. We have great plans in the works for solidarity with the striking CUPE 2073 members (Canadian Hearing Society), May Day, and outreach in new neighbourhoods. And we need your help to make it happen! For more info email us at [email protected].
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.
AT A TELEPHONE NEAR YOU!
Faith Caucus for $15 & Fairness
7:00PM – 8:00PM
More than 125 faith leaders from across Ontario have signed the $15 & Fairness statement, calling on the Ontario Government to bring in sweeping changes to labour laws. Faith leaders are also using their platforms to speak in support of our demands, including this recent op-ed published by Toronto Star. Join us on Tuesday night to help us plan the next steps for publicly unveiling this important statement.
To join the teleconference please send us an email by clicking here. Please don`t forget to include your phone number so that we can call you.
Wednesday, April 26
KINGSTON
Petitioning Blitz
5:00PM – 6:00PM | Barrack & King| Click here for a map
Join us at the Food Basics/LCBO at Barrack and King for a $15 and Fairness petition session in downtown Kingston. We will have flyers, posters, buttons, and a table set up. Everyone is welcome, come and try it out! Email [email protected] for more info.
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.
Friday, April 28
TORONTO
Mayworks Film Screening – A Day’s Work
7:00PM – 8:30PM | Carlton Cinema Auditorium 9| Click here for a map
This screening is organized by the Workers’ Action Centre and opens the festival on the National Day of Mourning that marks the passing of those who have been killed on the job or who have died as a result of workplace accidents and illness. After the screening there will be two short presentations by workers who have been active in the Fight for $15 and Fairness campaign.
To RSVP & share on Facebook, click here.
Saturday, April 29
ACTIONS THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA
Peoples Climate Movement – Toronto March
12:00PM – 2:00 PM | Allan Gardens | Click here for a map
Plans are underway by labour, environmental, Indigenous, and social justice groups for a People’s Climate March in Toronto. This will form part of a North American Day of Action initiated by the People’s Climate Movement. The U.S coalition is calling for a massive march in Washington D.C and sister marches across the world, and the Toronto organizing groups have coordinated with the Climate Coverage in Vancouver and other orgs across the country. We are organizing the march to be the anchor event to a week of education and mobilizing in April and a week of actions in May.
To RSVP & share on Facebook, click here.
Sunday, April 30
TORONTO
Mayworks Multi-Art Event – Journey to Belong
2:00PM – 4:00PM | Alliance Francaise de Toronto – Centre culturel | Click here for a map
Journey to Belong features the drag performance Sarap, the short film The Sunflower Man, and the visual exhibit My Journey on the “Pathway”. These bold and beautiful works are brought together for their common thread of migrant activism, their shared investigation of the power of art to empower, express, and create change, and their connection to our deep desire to belong. Following the presentations is a panel discussion facilitated by Monica Gutierrez and featuring Patrick Salvani, Heryka Miranda, Juan Kuis Mendoza de la Cruz, and Kara Manso.
To RSVP & share on Facebook, click here.
Monday, May 1
MISSISSAUGA
MAY DAY International Workers’ Day YYZ
1:00PM – 2:30PM | Toronto Pearson International Airport | Click here for a map
Join us at Canada’s largest workplace, Toronto Pearson International Airport, to celebrate our achievements as co-workers. Together we power this huge workplace, sending people and their belongings across the country and out into the world. Our work also helps to welcome millions of travellers to Toronto and Canada. Last spring thousands of you signed the TWAC “$15 and Fairness” petition calling to end poverty wages and improve working conditions. Let`s keep building this movement.
To RSVP & share on Facebook, click here.
Wednesday, May 3
TORONTO
Mayworks Film Screening – A Day’s Work
6:00PM – 8:00PM | Driftwood Community Centre Room 6 | Click here for a map
This screening takes place during the Jane Finch Action Against Poverty (JFAAP)’s annual celebration in honour of International Workers’ Day. A post-screening discussion will emphasize the campaign for Workers’ Rights in the Jane-Finch community, especially for those who have been working through temporary employment agencies. Panelists include residents and activists, who will speak on the problem with temp agencies and how we can hold them accountable.
To RSVP & share on Facebook, click here.
Sunday, May 7
TORONTO
West End Outreach Blitz
12:30PM – 2:00PM | Jane St and Lawrence Ave W (southwest corner) |Click here for a map
Do you live in West Toronto? Join us in the neighbourhood to spread the word and build a movement in the Fight for $15 & Fairness! We need to send a message to our elected Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), including MPP Laura Albanese, that we need $15 and Fairness in 2017! Come out and bring a friend! We’ll have petitions, leaflets & posters ready to go, and together we’ll talk with passersby about the fight for decent work for all.
To RSVP & share on Facebook, click here.
Tuesday, May 9
TORONTO
Toronto-Wide Organizing Meeting
5:30PM – 8:00PM | 720 Spadina Ave, Suite 223 |Click here for a map
Join us for our next city-wide Fight for $15 and Fairness organizing meeting! We know we have the majority with us, but we need to organize this sentiment and put pressure on our MPPs to make sure we get the legislative changes we need in 2017!
To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.
Saturday, May 13
OSHAWA
Oshawa Fight for $15 and Fairness Planning Meeting
3:30PM – 5:30PM | United Steelworkers of America | Click here for a map
Join members of We Are Oshawa to help plan out the next phase of the Fight for $15 and Fairness campaign in Oshawa. Meeting starts at 3:30PM at the Steelworkers Hall (115 Albert St). All are welcome and the meeting is family-friendly!
To RSVP & share on Facebook, click here.