The brutal attack on equity south of the border is a poignant reminder of the power and importance of International Women's Day.
This Saturday, celebrate International Women's Day -- look for events near you.
In Toronto, rally at 11 a.m. at the OISE Auditorium (252 Bloor Street West) and join the IWD march at 1 pm. iwdtoronto.ca for more information.
We need to vote like our lives depend on it, because they do. Doug Ford is not the guy for this job!
February is Black History Month, and this year the celebration of cultures comes as right-wing forces try to turn back the struggle for equality.
Sadly, south of the border the Trumpian alt-right tries to make equity, diversity and inclusion bad words. On this side of the border, it’s time for vigilance, especially for unions, who have been at the forefront of the struggle for equality.
The work is far from complete, especially when it comes to Black workers, who of all equity-seeking groups are most likely to feel the sting of bias and exclusion.
Consider the stats:
In 2023, 16% of Black Canadians with a bachelor’s or higher degree worked in jobs requiring only high school, compared to 11% of the general population (SRDC).
Black Canadians earn 75.6 cents for every dollar earned by non-racialized Canadians (TMU).
Unemployment for Black Canadians in 2023 in Canada was 9%, higher than the national average of 5.4%.
Employers are 40% more likely to interview a job applicant with an English-sounding name, despite identical qualifications (Government of Canada).
This February, we celebrate the Black communities of Canada and all the contributions of Black Canadians to the country whose freedom we defend. When everyone is given the chance to contribute to their potential, all Canadians win.
The countdown is on for a provincial election called in the middle of the winter only so Doug Ford could get back in before the PC’s abysmal ethical record catches up to them.
The Tories want you to tune out and not bother to cast your vote. Don’t fall for the PC ploy.
While Dougie has been making sweetheart deals with his business chronies, the rest of us are dealing with health care and education standards that are going down and a cost of living that’s going up.
Doug Ford is no Captain Canada. He told us the truth during that hot mic moment. He was delighted when Donald Trump was elected.
COPE Ontario is working with our locals and the labour movement to mobilize workers to act in their interests – vote against Doug Ford on election day.
For campaigns and canvasses in your area, check out the Ontario Federation of Labour website ofl.ca
Make your vote count!
COPE Ontario is pleased to announce that Glenn Wheeler has been appointed Director of COPE Ontario on a permanent basis.
Glenn started at COPE Ontario in 2010 as Legal Counsel and has been Interim Director since March 8, 2024.
Congratulations to Glenn!
The Young Workers Committee is looking for new members!
If you are 35 years of age or younger and a COPE Ontario member and interested to be part of this committee, please contact Siraz Kaur Chatha COPE Ontario VP of Young Workers (see inform below).
The COPE Ontario Executive Board took time of its meetings in Toronto to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
On this coming Monday, many of us will be wearing orange shirts in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and all that it represents about the tragic history of residential schools.
Residential schools are not a problem of the past, but a profound wrong that lives in the present through the trauma created by an official policy of our governments that was rooted in attempted cultural genocide – a policy to destroy Indigenous cultures and identity forever.
Some of us have the day off, others will be working. Many of us will be attending special events, either through work or in the community.
Wherever we may find ourselves, let us make it a day of reflection in which we remember the thousands of young people who were torn away from their families and communities, and acknowledge how far we have yet to go on the long road to reconciliation.
June 20th marks the anniversary of the founding of COPE as an autonomous Canadian union.
It was on this day 20 years ago that the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union became a union in its own right, the leadership of the time deciding it was time to part company with a U.S. based organization.
COPE is a proud Canadian union with members from coast to coast.
We’ve accomplished a lot in the last two decades on behalf of workers across the country, and there is lots more to do. Here’s to the next 20 years!
COPE joined other unions at Queen's Park to call on the Ford government to halt a plan that will cause further chaos in the home care sector – for both patients and workers.
Bill 135 – rushed through the legislature with little oversight – demolishes existing governance structures and paves the way for privatization of vital health care services.
The measure would dismantle the existing system of 14 Home Care and Community Support Services organizations across the province and turn them into one unwieldly structure. Unions have asked the government to consult with them on how to avoid the labour relations turmoil that will result.
COPE Local 550 represents workers at Home Care and Community Support Services – Toronto.
COPE Ontario Interim Director Glenn Wheeler (centre) joined OPSEU President JP Hornick, ONA President Erin Ariss, CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn and NDP Health Critic France Gelinas at a media conference at Queen's Park.