Every time we go to the polls, we remark on how important an election is and that we should all do our duty as citizens to cast our ballot.
We need no convincing about the importance of the federal election taking place on April 28.
With the rise of Donald Trump and the far right in the country with whom we share the continent, our very future as Canadians is at stake. Who we choose as Prime Minister and government is of monumental importance.
According to the polls, Mark Carney and the Liberals will form a majority government.
But let us pause for a moment and consider the fate of the NDP and why it’s important to have a strong social democratic presence in the next Parliament.
Thanks to pressure from the NDP, the outgoing Liberal government brought in dental care and pharmacare, and amended the Canada Labour Code to ban employers from hiring replacement workers during a strike.
One of the first acts of Prime Minister Mark Carney, a former banker, was to abolish the Department of Labour and scale back diversity and inclusion programs.
The continuing importance of the NDP is all too clear.
Take that consideration with you to the ballot box on April 28.
COPE Ontario shares the concerns of the union movement and all Canadians about the devastating impact of tariffs imposed by the U.S.
It is workers on both sides of the border and around the world who will bear the brunt of these disastrous moves.
At our recent convention in Niagara Falls, delegates unanimously passed a resolution that, among other things, calls on all levels of government to work closely with unions in developing a response to this economic crisis.
It's a time to stand together.
COPE delegates plan for future
Delegates from far and wide gathered in Niagara Falls for the first in-person COPE Ontario triennial convention since the onset of the pandemic.
It was an enjoyable and eventful weekend, as COPE members discussed the upcoming federal election and debated important policy and constitutional amendments.
Among the resolutions passed was creation of an Equity Vice-President to serve on the COPE Ontario Executive Board. Amit Tandon (Local 225) was selected by the Equity Caucus to fill that role in the coming term.
Other changes on the Executive Board include the election of Kelly Belbin (Local 343) as President and Brandi Kehoe (Local 491) as Treasurer.
Convention began with a Young Workers Symposium, where young workers from COPE locals discussed strategies for making the union movement more reflective of and responsive to young workers.
Young Workers ponder a new movement
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!
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!