Ontario Science Centre workers – members of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 549 – held a funeral procession and memorial service at Queen’s Park yesterday, where they shared their memories and love for the Science Centre.
Five opposition MPPs attended the memorial at Queen’s Park, and together the workers and MPPs vowed to keep fighting against the Ford government’s closure of the building at 770 Don Mills Road. The workers appreciated the words of support and encouragement from MPPs Dr. Adil Shamji (Don Valley East), Dr. Jill Andrew (Toronto-St. Paul’s), Sarah Jama (Hamilton Centre), Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth), and Chris Glover (Spadina-Fort York).
The funeral procession started on Bay Street in Toronto at the Ministry of Infrastructure, which operates the Ontario Science Centre. The “mourners” wore funeral black clothing and walked behind a black box emblazoned with pictures of the Ontario Science Centre, accompanied by a loudspeaker playing funeral masses and jazz funeral music.
(Photo credit: Jeff Slater)
CityNews Toronto captured scenes from the funeral procession and interviewed Martin Fischer, Local 549 President. Fischer expressed his hope that Premier Doug Ford would listen to the three quarters of Ontarians from the GTHA who want the Ontario Science Centre building reopened to the public immediately while they fix the roof, according to an Angus Reid poll commissioned by OPSEU/SEFPO.
Click here to watch the CityTV News report (video).
The Science Centre workers’ mock funeral comes on the heels of an explosive investigative report by Global News about how Infrastructure Ontario was in contact with the engineering firm about its expert report and making arrangements to close the Ontario Science Centre before the report was submitted.
Click here to read the Global News report.
While the mock funeral was a theatrical protest, the feelings of grief and loss felt by Science Centre staff have been very real since the Ford government locked the doors of the Ontario Science Centre to the public in June, and then to front line staff on October 31.
Read more: CBC News – Ontario Science Centre workers say goodbye as repairs continue
Despite Doug Ford’s promise that there would be no job losses as a result of his plans for the Ontario Science Centre, all of the food services and custodial workers have been laid off. And this unnecessary closure has disrupted the mission of the Ontario Science Centre and their dedicated staff to provide educational experiences in science to kids, families, schools and the general public.
The message from Ontario Science Centre workers to Premier Doug Ford is clear: It’s not too late to do the right thing and re-open the Ontario Science Centre now!
More pics from the event:
(Photo credit: Jeff Slater)
(Photo credit: Jeff Slater)
