Tag: Fighting Privatization

• OPSEU President demands Mulroney’s resignation after admitting she can’t stop cannabis criminals

  Toronto – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is calling for the resignation of Attorney General Caroline Mulroney after claiming her government isn’t capable of fighting organized cannabis crime. “The Conservatives used to be the party of law and order. But now it’s just duck and cover when it comes to facing the thugs and criminals…

  October 12, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, Media release, We Own It

• Thomas: Towns and cities need public cannabis option

  Speaking as a featured guest on the John Oakley Show, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas called out Premier Doug Ford for not giving towns and cities the option to choose a responsible public cannabis store like the LCBO. “If this government isn’t afraid of competition, then let cities and towns have a public retail option,” said Thomas.

  October 12, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, OPSEU in the News, We Own It

• Pot plans may have ‘unforeseen’ consequences for youth, boards of health say

  Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, cited a public-opinion poll OPSEU commissioned showing that almost seven in 10 Ontarians are “concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about marijuana being sold to minors. Read the full article on the Toronto Star website.

  October 12, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, OPSEU in the News, We Own It

• Thomas demands a “responsible plan” for cannabis sales

  On Oct. 11, just after launching the Responsible Plan campaign for public cannabis sales, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas presented the union’s submission on Bill 36, the Cannabis Statue Law Amendment Act, to the the Standing Committee on Social Policy of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. You can view the full submission here: 2018-10-10_fnl_submission_bill_36_cannabis.pdf And here…

  October 12, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, We Own It

• Open letter from President Thomas to Finance Minister Vic Fedeli re the Ontario Cannabis Store

  The President of OPSEU, Warren (Smokey) Thomas, sent the following letter to the Honourable Vic Fedeli, Minister of Finance, asking questions and demanding details about the giant distribution centre for the province’s legal cannabis products. The province did not reveal its existence to OPSEU until very recently – even though OPSEU is to be the…

  October 12, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, We Own It

• OPSEU launches Responsible Plan campaign for safe cannabis sales

  A new poll shows that the people of Ontario are worried about what will happen when cannabis becomes legal on Oct. 17. Will our kids and grandkids get hurt? Will our communities be safe? To help ensure kids and communities stay safe, OPSEU has launched a campaign called A Responsible Plan. “The problem is Doug…

  October 11, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, We Own It

• Toronto Sun: Poll shows public unease with private pot stores

  The Toronto Sun is reporting that a Nanos poll commissioned by OPSEU “found a large majority of Ontarians believe a public retailer of recreational cannabis would do a better job than a private store of keeping it away from young people.” “Most people polled also think a public pot outlet would generate more profits for…

  October 11, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, OPSEU in the News, We Own It

• OPSEU President challenges Ford to debate his irresponsible plan to privatize cannabis and alcohol

  Toronto– OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is challenging Premier Doug Ford to publicly debate his irresponsible plans to have private retailers sell cannabis next year. “I’m calling the Premier out,” said Thomas. “The public option is the only responsible one for Ontarians. I’ll debate him any time, anywhere. He can even stack the room with…

  October 10, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, Media release, We Own It

• OPSEU to release Nanos poll showing ‘deep concerns’ about privatized cannabis and alcohol sales

  Toronto – During a press conference tomorrow at 10 am at the Queen’s Park Media Studio, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas will release fresh polling data showing that a strong majority of Ontarians think a public retailer like the LCBO will have a more positive impact than private stores on keeping drugs like cannabis and…

  October 10, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, Media release, We Own It

• OPSEU alerts Ontario Securities Commission to eyebrow raising cannabis connections

  Toronto – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas has sent a letter to the Ontario Securities Commission on some eyebrow raising activity on the stock markets involving cannabis companies. Thomas wrote OSC Chair and CEO Maureen Jensen about the possibility that some prominent individuals with Conservative connections may have used insider knowledge to profit in the…

  October 3, 2018

  Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, Media release, We Own It

• Ford turning Ontario into the ‘wild west of cannabis,’ and municipalities will pay the price

  Toronto – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said he is shocked that the Ford government wants to throw open the doors to cannabis profiteers and leave municipalities and communities to deal with the problems. “Unlimited stores and unlimited places to smoke will cause unlimited problems,” said Thomas. “It’s outrageous. We’re going to become the wild…

  September 27, 2018

  Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, Media release, We Own It

• OPSEU delivers some ‘big bold ideas’ to Premier Doug Ford

  Toronto – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas was at the Ontario legislature today to give some “big bold ideas” to Premier Doug Ford on the future of public services. Thomas is alarmed by Monday’s release of EY Canada’s report on Ontario’s finances and fears the government is using it as a pretext to make devastating…

  September 26, 2018

  Campaigns, Media

  Fighting Privatization, Media release

• OPSEU ‘ready for the storm ahead’ with political tsunami on the horizon

  OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas has warned that a political tsunami is on the horizon, after today’s release of the EY Canada report on Ontario’s finances. He warned that all the tell-tale signs of a government bent on deep public sector cuts and costly privatization schemes have emerged. According to Thomas, OPSEU is “ready for…

  September 25, 2018

  Campaigns, Media

  Fighting Privatization, Media release

• OPSEU President to join rally to save Orono’s LCBO

  Orono – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas will attend a rally in Orono on Friday to hold the provincial government to its promise to maintain an LCBO store in the community. “Orono deserves an LCBO,” said Thomas. “It’s inspiring to see a community that’s willing to take its power back from provincial politicians and corporate…

  September 20, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns, Media

  Fighting Privatization, Media release, We Own It

• Thomas: OPSEU is stronger than ever this Labour Day and ready for storm clouds ahead

  Toronto – In a Labour Day message to union members and the public, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says the union is bigger and stronger than it’s ever been and is prepared to challenge the new Conservative government and some of its reckless decisions. “It’s Economics 101: the stronger the working and middle classes, the…

  August 30, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, Media release, We Own It

• Thomas: Why is Ford afraid of a little pot competition?

  In an op-ed published by the Toronto Sun, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says that Ontarians and municipalities should be able to choose publicly owned and managed cannabis retail stores. “I still think all cannabis sales, just like all alcohol sales, should be handled by a respectable and responsible public organization like the LCBO,” writes…

  August 27, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, OPSEU in the News, We Own It

• OPSEU rallying municipal leaders to fight for a public cannabis option

  Ottawa – OPSEU will be at the annual conference of the Association of Ontario Municipalities (AMO) today, giving hundreds of municipal politicians and leaders the chance to demand Doug Ford rethink his knee-jerk decree that cannabis will only be sold in profit-driven private stores. “Private-only cannabis sales will be a financial and public-health mess. And the…

  August 21, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, Media release, We Own It

• OPSEU’s Thomas calls for public cannabis option

  Toronto – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas appeared on a Financial Post panel discussion and called for publicly run cannabis outlets in municipalities that don’t want sales in private hands. He said the government is putting many municipalities on the spot by giving them just one chance to opt out of allowing private, for-profit stores…

  August 17, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, Media release, We Own It

• Letter from President Thomas to AMO President Linda Dollin re private cannabis sales

  Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of OPSEU, sent the following open letter to Lynn Dollin, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. In his letter, President Thomas urges municipalities to fight back on the provincially imposed policy of allowing private, for-profit interests to sell recreational cannabis in Ontario.   August 17, 2018 Ms. Lynn Dollin…

  August 17, 2018

  Bargaining, Campaigns

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, We Own It

• Just say No to Doug’s cannabis plan: OPSEU’s Thomas

  Toronto – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says the union intends to make the privatization of cannabis sales a hot-button issue in the upcoming municipal election. “OPSEU will rally behind progressive candidates who oppose Premier Ford’s half-baked scheme,” said Thomas. “The only people who applaud this trainwreck are former political staffers who stand to make…

  August 13, 2018

  Campaigns, Media

  Cannabis, Fighting Privatization, Media release, We Own It