FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2003
Tory defeat is opportunity to rebuild public services, Casselman says
The convincing defeat of the Ernie Eves Tories at the polls today presents a long-awaited opportunity to rebuild Ontario's public services, the president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union
says.
"For eight long years of Tory rule, front-line public service workers,have borne the brunt of vicious and repeated attacks on the work they do for Ontarians," Leah Casselman said. "We look forward to working with the new government to rebuild
public services so we can start creating the kind of society people really want."
Conservative cuts and privatization have left Ontario with public services that are too weak to do what they are supposed to do, Casselman said.
"The Walkerton water disaster, and the Aylmer meat scandal, and heart patients sleeping in hospital hallways didn't happen by accident," she said. "The collapse of our public services was carefully planned to benefit the private investors who
are the main backers of the Tory party.
"Tonight marks the beginning of the rebuilding, and our union will be front and centre in that work," she said. "We look forward to laying down our arms and picking up our tools."
Casselman said the union would not be deterred by reports of a provincial deficit that could be as high as $4.5 billion.
"Our members provide great value for money in every part of the public sector," she said. "In contrast, the provincial auditor found Tory consultants, who were getting paid up to six times more than our members would get paid to,do the
same work.
"Ending privatization and improving management can pay huge dividends in terms of service quality and cost. We look forward to sharing our ideas to make things work better."
Whatever the budget situation, a Liberal government will have billions of dollars more to put towards public services than a Conservative government would have, Casselman said. "Since 1995, tax cuts have sucked the lifeblood out of public services," she said. "We welcome the end of the Tory tax cut era."
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For further information:
Leah Casselman, (416) 595-1975
