Boards of Education: Bill 115
Ottawa rally at Liberal AGM draws thousands
October 4, 2012
“Together we
are showing this government that they cannot attack public services without
undermining public confidence in their ability to govern.“
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, Regional Vice-President
David Lundy and Executive Board Member Chris Cormier as well as many OPSEU
members were among more than 3000 demonstrators outside the Liberal Annual
General Membership meeting in Ottawa on September 28. OPSEU members came from
Ottawa, Trenton, Belleville, Perth, Arnprior, Renfrew, Brockville, Cornwall,
Picton and Kingston to support the call to end the Ontario Liberals’ attack on
our public services, especially the unconstitutional Bill 115 which undermines
the quality of Ontario’s education system.
“It is especially important that young people and students have joined in this
fight,” said Thomas, addressing the thousands gathered in protest. “Together we
are showing this government that they cannot attack public services without
undermining public confidence in their ability to govern.“
OPSEU members proudly hung banners from the bridge overlooking Colonel By Drive
with the message “repeal Bill 115 and Resist against the Protecting Public
Services Act”. Both of these Acts put forward by the McGuinty government would
eliminate rights upheld under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and
fundamentally change the course of history for unions in this province.
The Ottawa rally sent a strong message to the Ontario Liberal government that
their attack on education workers, students and public services will affect the
outcome of the next provincial elections.
Organized by the Ottawa District Labour Council, the event included members of
many different unions and community groups.
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