OPSECAAT activists gathered outside a Liberal event
in Toronto Aug. 14. They had the opportunity to meet
with Minister of Finance Greg Sorbara.
OPSECAAT
secretary-treasurer Yvette Munro chatted with
Sorbara. She said Sorbara was familiar with the
OPSECAAT campaign, but said that the government
would not be able to change legislation before the
election as they will go from summer-mode to full
campaigning.
“He did say that it
is likely we could not expect change until
post-election,” said Munro. “To this I reminded him
that ILO had called on the Ontario Government to
take immediate steps.
“I thanked him
though for being frank with me but said that we will
continue to press this issue on the campaign
trail. I added that we would expect his party's
candidates to provide a positive response to
our questions about changing the law and that they
would then keep their promise if re-elected.
“I also expressed concern
that even though we had a good meeting with Premier
McGuinty recently, we have had not heard from
Colleges Minister Chris Bentley, and added that I
was very disappointed to hear today that Bentley is
not able to attend our September conference.”
Sorbara said the government
has a cabinet meeting next week and that he
would raise our issue with Bentley.
Activists also met up with
Ken Coran, OSSTF President, who expressed his
support for the part-time college workers campaign.
-30-