Early election is workers’ chance to fire Ford: CUPE Ontario

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Doug Ford can try to use fear and distraction to justify going to the polls a year early, but workers will use the early election as the perfect opportunity to fire him and his fellow Conservatives, says the province’s largest union.

CUPE Ontario, which represents 290,000 members across the province, is certain workers will remember the record of misery Ford has inflicted on Ontarians and vote to replace him and his Conservatives with a government that will work for all the people, not just the wealthy and well connected.

“Doug Ford wants Ontarians to think this election is only about the chaos beyond our borders. But he hasn’t called this election for Ontario; he’s called it for himself. That’s why it’s on us to make sure the next month is about Doug Ford’s record of failure as premier for the last seven years. We’re going to use the power of our vote to fire Ford,” said CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn.

Hahn pointed out some of the worst features of the Conservative legacy in Ontario: Ford’s promise to end hallway medicine, which is staggeringly worse today in Ontario hospitals; a record number of emergency room closures; 2.5 million Ontarians without a family doctor; no affordable housing built, and the lowest housing starts in 69 years; and 80,000 people homeless in the province.

“And never forget that Ford is responsible for Bill 124, an unconstitutional piece of legislation that stole wages from workers’ pockets and made the cost-of-living crisis worse for public sector workers,” noted Hahn.

CUPE Ontario Secretary-Treasurer Yolanda McClean had choice words for Ford’s “blame and bribe” approach to government: “He blames the federal government for his government’s failings. He blames COVID for thousands of unnecessary deaths in for-profit long-term care homes. He underfunds public services to justify privatizing them. Then he tries to bribe us with $200 cheques.

“We won’t be taken for fools. This election, we can get rid of the Ford Conservatives and start the work of repairing Ontario.”

CUPE Ontario has launched its “Fire Ford” campaign, designed to engage and empower CUPE members in their bid to unseat Ford and his Conservatives.

“With this campaign, we ask the question that all Ontarians should ask,” said Hahn. “Will we accept Ford’s blame and bribe game? Or will we see this election for what it really is: a cynical move by the Ford Conservatives.

“We’ll hold Ford accountable and make sure this election is about Ontario’s workers, families, and the future.”

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