Tag: Federal
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OPSEU members stand strong with Unifor
A group of OPSEU members led by President Warren (Smokey) Thomas and First Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida has shored up Unifor’s picket lines at Regina’s Co-op Refinery. Thomas says he boarded the first plane to Regina when he learned that Unifor National President Jerry Dias had been arrested after joining a picket line. “Jerry phoned…
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Engaged callers flock to take part in federal election town hall
Thousands of OPSEU members took part in two telephone town halls on Wednesday to talk about the federal election. OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas fielded a wide variety of questions from members. He was joined by Canadian Labour Institute President James Clancy and Larry Brown, the President of the National Union of Public and General…
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Federal Election Platform Comparison
OPSEU is a union of public sector workers – many of the services we provide are ultimately funded by the federal government. As a service to members, OPSEU has compared the platforms and commitments made by the parties competing in the upcoming federal election. This leaflet gives the highlights of that analysis. Click here for…
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Federal election questions? Tune in to our telephone town hall
Since the federal government is the initial funding source for many of the services we provide, there is much at stake for OPSEU members and the services we provide in the upcoming election. To help members understand the issues, and allow them to express their issues and concerns, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas will be…
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Vote of confidence – in your family and your community
Bickering children. Is that the impression anybody else got watching the leaders’ debate on Monday night? It’s definitely the feeling I had while watching the six of them interrupt and talk over one another, each so desperate to get our attention that I could barely understand what any of them were trying to say. If…
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Doug Ford staying quiet but wants to fire back at Justin Trudeau
The Toronto Star has reported that Doug Ford is “itching to fire back” at Justin Trudeau for his ongoing jabs at Ford’s provincial government, despite his silence so far during the federal election campaign. Ontario Public Service Employees Union president Warren (Smokey) Thomas said Monday that “Ford’s buried himself, in hopes that voters won’t bury…
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We’re citizens, not just consumers
The federal election campaign has officially kicked-off and as the rhetoric ramps up, Ontarians have a minefield of messages to navigate. It’s easy to buy into the selfish individualism of “getting ahead.” More money in your pocket might mean you can buy more “stuff” but definitely not a higher quality of life. Politicians promising a…
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SNC: A golden opportunity to drain the privatization swamp
The he-said-she-said coverage of the SNC-Lavalin scandal is compelling political theatre. But if Canadians look beyond the daily drama of Justin Trudeau’s clumsy cover-up, we can seize a golden opportunity to make our lives meaningfully better. Better hospitals, highways, and schools. Lower debt and lower taxes for working people. All of this can be…
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OPSEU stands in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en
OPSEU is joining the Wet’suwet’en Nation in British Columbia in opposing the Coastal Gaslink pipeline. OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says the British Columbia government must respect Indigenous title and revoke permits for the pipeline. He is also calling for the federal government to pull funding from the project. “It’s time that Prime Minister Trudeau…
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President Thomas’s letter to the BC Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of OPSEU, sent the following letter to the Honourable Scott Fraser, BC Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, regarding the intervention of the RCMP against the Wet’suwet’en people as they protested the Coastal Gaslink Pipeline. February 8, 2019 The Honourable Scott Fraser Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Room 323, Parliament…
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OPSEU endorses Wallin bill to end blood-for-pay
Ottawa – Senator Pamela Wallin’s bill to ban private, for-profit blood clinics is the right thing to do at the right time, says the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). “I applaud the senator for trying to keep Canada’s blood system voluntary and safe,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “As a former journalist, she…
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Don’t tax my health benefits
The Government of Canada is considering taxing employer contributions made to your group health and dental benefit plans. If this change happens – and it could be announced in the 2017 federal budget – it means employer contributions made to your group health and dental benefits will be considered taxable income for employees, potentially increasing your tax…
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Young workers challenge Trudeau to stop breaking promises, honour commitments to workers
Toronto – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says he couldn’t be prouder of the young workers who stood up for what they believed in and turned their backs on the Prime Minister at this morning’s Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) summit. The youth involved included a number of members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union’s (OPSEU)…
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Rock Against the TPP
Join in the events of Rock Against the TPP in Toronto, a massive anti-Trans-Pacific Partnership demonstration. Events are happening all day, culminating with a multi-band show at the Opera House. More information and tickets: https://act.openmedia.org/rockTPP
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Council of the Federation: cheers to nothing
Dear friends, I have to say, I’m more than disappointed by the results of the Council of the Federation meeting in Whitehorse last week. We have a country struggling under wage inequality, rising personal debt, inaccessible postsecondary education, high unemployment, and a shameful number of working poor. This is the backdrop to the Premiers’ meeting.…
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Time to complete the Census
Starting on May 2, 2016, Statistics Canada began sending census packages to all Canadian households. OPSEU encourages its members to fill out their forms and continue a 350-year tradition. The information gathered through the census provides a statistical snapshot of the country. It is a useful tool for all levels of government. The data is…
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The Dangers of Navel Gazing
Voting stragteically is not a progressive choice. Read Warren (Smokey) Thomas' full Letter to the Editor at Toronto Sun. Related: OPSEU in the News
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How to finance public works
Dear friends, Borrowing money is back in style. Justin Trudeau’s success at the ballot box this week showed that Canadians aren’t afraid to borrow money to build the country. We need more public transit and other vital infrastructure, and we need it now. So if we don’t have the money today, we have to borrow.…
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Promises to keep
Dear friends, Canada is getting a new Prime Minister. On October 19, Justin Trudeau and his Liberal candidates came in first in 184 ridings, more than enough to win a majority of seats in Parliament. Many of us are disappointed at the loss of a lot of good, progressive MPs. They will be sadly missed.…