OPSEU members joined with education unions, parents, students, community groups, and concerned citizens from across the province, to send a strong message to Doug Ford that his cuts to public education will not be tolerated.
Over 20,000 individuals rallied outside of Queen’s Park on Saturday, April 6, to tell the Ford government that cuts to education funding, increased class sizes, and the new curriculum are not what the people of Ontario want.
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says the turnout shows that Ford isn’t going to intimidate those who are fighting for a strong education system.
“We will stand up for our educational support workers and stand in solidarity to fight Ford’s disastrous education agenda,” Thomas said.
OPSEU Region 3 Regional Vice President Sara Labelle told the cheering crowd that Ontario’s future is bright despite the Ford government.
“Our future looks bright because you’re standing up for what’s best for the future of Ontario. Our future looks bright because parents of children with Autism are standing up and demanding better for their children, and we stand with them. Our future looks bright because people are standing up for public education,” Labelle said.
Kelly Martin, Chair of OPSEU’s Boards of Education and Cultural Institutions Sector Executive says the Ford government’s cuts will affect the students who are most vulnerable, leaving them to fall through the cracks.
“Ford really has no idea how his actions will affect the future of the students we support,” said Martin.
OPSEU First Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida says the Ford government is making changes that are short-sighted and bad for Ontario.
“If you don’t have the courage or foresight to pay for a quality public education system, you’re going to quickly end up with a province full of people who can’t compete for the jobs of today and the future,” said Almeida.
OPSEU guarantees the Ford government that the fight for quality education in Ontario is only beginning, OPSEU will stand in solidarity with Ontarians – Together to Win!
For more information: Warren (Smokey) Thomas, 613-329-1931