By Alex Seggewiss Local 715, inSolidarity Committee
On the last day of Convention 2026, celebrated journalist and activist Linda McQuaig called on OPSEU/SEFPO to fight for a wealth tax to ease the affordability crisis and restore quality public services.
Looking out over the audience – who she called “the backbone of public services” – McQuaig said OPSEU/SEFPO and other unions are strong enough to make real change happen.
“When we stand together, we can take the bad guys and win,” she proclaimed.
McQuaig said great wealth exists in Canada, but that politicians like Doug Ford allow the “ultra-rich” to pay virtually zero taxes, leading to the country’s largest-ever wealth gap, and leaving most of us in an “affordability crisis.” People simply don’t have enough money for their basic needs.
“It’s time to fix that with a wealth tax,” McQuaig said.
She said that a tax on anybody with more than $25 million could raise $40 billion per year, adding that $10 billion alone could be used to make all post-secondary education completely free.
McQuaig said critics have raised the question about what would happen if the ultra rich decided to take all their assets and leave Canada. Nevertheless, an already existing hefty exit tax would prevent this from happening.
“We’re much more powerful than we realize”
“We’re much more powerful than we realize,” she said, pointing at polls in the US showing 70 per cent support for a wealth tax, and polls in Canada that show 90 per cent support.
“Ordinary people are on our side,” said McQuaig.
A wealth tax would be a key vehicle to strengthen our public services, and McQuaig highlighted the vital role of labour unions. They are not just about protecting members—they are protecting the public programs and services that communities rely on every day.
In the face of growing inequality and mounting challenges, the call to action is clear: to stand together, push for fairness, and ensure that prosperity is shared. As we continue this work, we can be guided by a principle that reflects the very heart of solidarity: “what we desire for ourselves, we wish for all.”