TORONTO-The Ontario government’s announcement that it has finally joined every other province and territory across Canada in signing the federal child care plan marks a long-overdue turning point for Canadian families.

“Every parent across Canada having access to affordable, accessible, quality child care will be the result of decades of advocacy, of sacrifice, of struggle,” said Naureen Rizvi, Ontario Regional Director. “This child care plan will be a turning point for Canadian families and serve to strengthen our communities, nurture our children, and transform the lives of child care workers.”

Unifor is an active champion for access to affordable child care and has worked in coalition with advocacy groups to advocate for families and child care workers. Unifor works to improve communities and workplaces through other equity-building policies and programs.

“Providing access to child care is providing access to employment, to independence, to security, to self-fulfillment, and to equity in our workplaces and everywhere decisions are made,” said Tracey Ramsey, Unifor Women’s Department Director. “We will be watching closely to ensure the agreement serves the needs of Ontario families and workers, and not just the needs of the Ford government.”

Savings for Ontario parents are to start as of April 1, 2022, whereas provinces that signed earlier, like Nova Scotia, are making the rebate to parents retroactive to January 1, 2022.

“Ontario families should not have had to wait for today’s photo op with the Premier, and will actually pay for this delay by not seeing discounted fees until April – but now it’s time to get to work to provide them the same access to child care as every other family across Canada,” said Ramsey. “This victory belongs to all the parents, grandparents, caregivers, Early Childhood Educators who all provide care that for too long has been undervalued, under-appreciated and under-paid.”

Parent fees for child care in Ontario are some of the highest in the country and, until today, Ontario had been the only jurisdiction in Canada not to sign the federal child care program that will deliver $10-a-day child care by 2026.

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

Unifor recognizes and invites all members to celebrate the International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2022. This annual day celebrates the value and resilience of transgender people both within the union and around the world.

Trans people are those who identify with a gender other than the one assigned at birth and exist within all countries, communities and religious groups around the world. This identity is separate from an individual’s sexual orientation.

Transphobia and anti-trans discrimination remains prevalent in Canada and is closely associated with growing far-right movements and political parties. This makes workers’ commitments to equity and justice more urgent and demands that we celebrate and build off tangible wins.

On December 8, 2021, Canada’s conversion therapy law, passed unanimously by the House of Commons, received Royal Assent.

Activists and survivors from across the country campaigned for decades to discredit and ban this dangerous practice.

The fight for trans rights, dignity, and equality is not yet won. The continued need for solidarity and allyship with the trans community is a must for workers. As workers, we understand the importance of allyship. As an ally you inform those around you that you are supportive and attentive to the needs of the trans community. We must never forget that our allyship is predicated on actively listening and making change with, and for, trans communities.

A slew of anti-trans laws adopted across the United States reverberated in LGBTQ2 communities and families in recent months. These laws should serve as a reminder to all workers of the fragility of legal protections, and the importance of continued, devoted solidarity for trans, non-binary and two-spirit people.

Unifor wishes to honour trans, non-binary and two-spirit members, who continue to help build our union and strengthen our movement. Our union and society are made better, more educated, and compassionate through their contributions and labour.

Unifor asks members to share a message of support and solidarity on the Trans Day of Visibility.

Click here to download poster

Click here to download shareable

TORONTO–On January 26, 2022 Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer Lana Payne received a written complaint that, now former, Unifor National President Jerry Dias engaged in an alleged breach of the Unifor Constitution.

Following review of the complaint, Payne promptly initiated an independent external investigation. On January 29, 2022, Dias was notified of the investigation, which is ongoing.

On February 6, 2022, Dias went on medical leave and subsequently notified the National Executive Board of his immediate retirement on March 11, citing health issues.

In order to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation and to maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Unifor Constitution, specifics of the complaint will not be divulged at this time.

Every Unifor member is held to the same standard and afforded the same rights under our Constitution.

Unifor’s National Executive Board will meet on March 21, 2022 to discuss the matter. The union will have no further public comment prior to receipt of the investigative report, expected in the near future.