Tag: Anti-racism
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Letter to President of the Treasury Board Secretariat re OPS Observation of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The following letter was sent to President of the Treasury Board Secretariat, Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, by OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas commending the decision to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a paid holiday for the Ontario Public Service. Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria President of the Treasury Board 99 Wellesley St.…
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The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is celebrated annually on August 23rd. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and work to build inclusion. To overcome racial inequality, we must confront our history. On this day in 1791, a revolt paved the way for the end of slavery…
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Multicultural Day: Uniting our differences for a stronger Canada
June 27 is Multicultural Day. In 1982, multiculturalism was recognized in section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Canadian Multiculturalism Act was subsequently passed in 1988. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Multiculturalism Policy. It was on October 8, 1971 that Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau announced that…
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OPSEU/SEFPO stands in solidarity with the Muslim community in their calls for justice
The senseless attack on a Muslim family in London this week must be a loud wake up call for Canadians that Islamophobia is a serious and urgent problem that we must confront now. We are sickened and shocked that one evil person would run down and kill Salman Afzaal and his wife Madiha Salman, their…
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We must put an end to the legacy of slavery
On March 25, the world commemorates the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The United Nations General Assembly designated this day to create awareness and acknowledge the suffering, trauma, and oppression inflicted on more than 400 million Black men, women, and children of African descent. “We have…
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OPSEU/SEFPO observes the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
Wednesday, March 24, the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, is a day that sadly hits close to home. The protection and guarantee of human rights have not been respected, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Affordable healthcare, for example, is a fundamental…
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OPSEU/SEFPO commits to end racism, today and every day
Sunday, March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, an opportunity to acknowledge the existence of racism in our society, highlight the damaging consequences of it, and commit to putting an end to all racial inequities. The United Nations established this day in memory of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South…
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Anti-Asian racism must stop now!
The world recently marked the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, Asian communities from across North America have been unfairly portrayed as carriers of the virus. For well over a year, anti-Asian racism and hate crimes have surged to an alarming rate…
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OPSEU/SEFPO staff celebrates the Black family during Black History Month
More than 100 OPSEU/SEFPO staff celebrated Black History Month, which had the theme of “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity” virtually on February 23. The event featured performances of Lift Every Voice (Black National Anthem) and O Canada by the Hamilton pop and R&B singer Jamila B. It also featured a screening of the…
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Shining a spotlight on Black mental health
The first Monday in March marks Black Mental Health Day. It’s important to understand mental health with a Black health lens. Black communities continue to face poor health outcomes, limited access to services and inequitable treatment while trying to get healthcare. OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says there is no question that anti-Black racism and…
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OPSEU/SEFPO 2021 Black History Month Celebration
Inspirational and educational ideas flowed freely during a virtual celebration of Black History Month organized by OPSEU/SEFPO’s Coalition of Racialized Workers (CoRW). The February 20 event followed public health guidelines and was held online in support of frontline heroes. OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the fight against anti- Black…
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OPSEU/SEFPO condemns school trustee for stirring up racial tensions
OPSEU/SEFPO is condemning a trustee with York Region School District Board for stirring up racial tensions over the renaming of a Vaughan high school in honour of a respected Somali-Canadian journalist who used to live in the community. A significant majority of residents in York Region recently voted to rename the high school after Hodan…
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Black History Month: Celebrating resilience and continuing the resistance
Black History Month is an opportunity for us to reflect on the resistance and resilience of Black communities and people of African descent here in Ontario and across the country. This month, we pay tribute to the victories and struggles of the Black community and reaffirm our commitment to being strong allies in the fight…
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OPSEU/SEFPO supports the OHRC in calling for stronger human rights enforcement in Ontario’s universities and colleges
OPSEU/SEFPO stands with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) in the goal of achieving stronger human rights protections within Ontario’s universities and colleges. In support of the OHRC’s Dec. 18 letter to all Presidents and Principals of Ontario’s academic institutions, OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas and Peter Thompson, Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Coalition of Racialized Workers…
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OPSEU/SEFPO demands a seat at the table for reforms ordered at “toxic, racist” York CAS
Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says front-line workers must have a real voice in finding solutions to address toxic working conditions at York Region Children’s Aid Society. An independent probe has delivered a scathing review of the management at the CAS. Thomas says the society’s board of directors must include members of OPSEU/SEFPO…
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The Ontario Human Rights Code: Learn your rights and responsibilities
The Ontario Human Rights Commission has launched the 3rd edition of its Human Rights 101 webinar! This revised eLearning program offers a fresh new look, expanded discussions on types of discrimination and the latest directions in human rights, along with added scenarios and knowledge checks. The course, designed to provide an understanding of rights and…
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Recent anti-Black racist incidents renews call for swift and strong action
On October 26, another student of Toronto’s Glen Ames Senior Public School was assaulted. Police have charged a 20-year-old man for making anti-Black racist comments and assaulting the student. It is the second incident this month that involves the same suspect. This is another example of how far racism can go. When hate and anger…
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No place for the N-word in any corner of society
OPSEU/SEFPO leadership is speaking out against the use of the N-word by a University of Ottawa professor, stating that there is no place or setting that justifies using this word. “This is a racial slur that continues to have a great deal of pain associated with it,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “It is…
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OPSEU/SEFPO’s Anti-Racism web page: A space for accountability
2020 has been a year of reckoning in many areas of our society. One of the most important developments is the light that has been shone on systemic racism and the impact it has had on the lives of racialized and Indigenous people. Following many significant conversations focused on these issues during this past summer,…
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Taking Action on Racism
The Member Education Unit has put together the following series of online materials to raise awareness of the issue of racism. They include possible actions members can take at the local level to build a stronger, anti-racist and more inclusive union. We look forward to your feedback on these new materials. Please contact the Member…