Sisters and brothers, often our life is so busy that we forget to check in on ourselves and our own mental health. Your local executive is at the forefront of eliminating the stigma associated with this and is here when you need us most. Attached is a helpful checklist to check in with yourself and even your own family members.

MHW-Checklist_2019_FINAL_EN

June 4, 2024

TORONTO—Unifor applauds the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)’s announcement today of new supports for local Canadian news, in conjunction with its regulatory plan to modernize Canada’s broadcasting framework.
“Unifor has been advocating for American streamers to pay their fair share to the Canadian broadcasting system for over 15 years,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.

“Foreign streamers have been competing directly with Canadian broadcasters, and they should have the same responsibilities and obligations to support local news and Canadian storytelling.”

In the announcement, the CRTC is requiring online streaming services to contribute 5% of their Canadian revenues to support the Canadian broadcasting system, with 1.5% of those revenues to go to the Independent Local News Fund (ILNF). These obligations will start in the 2024-2025 broadcast year and will provide an estimated $200 million per year in new funding, which includes approximately $60 million for the ILNF.

The funding will go to areas in the Canadian broadcasting system in dire need of support, such as local news on radio and television, French-language content, Indigenous content, and content created by and for equity-deserving communities, official language minority communities, and Canadians of diverse backgrounds.

While this new funding is great news for independent television stations in Canada, Unifor is concerned that the vertically-integrated news outlets that are also struggling, will not receive adequate support from this new funding, and Unifor hopes this will be addressed in subsequent proceedings.

The Online Streaming Act (formerly Bill C-11) is a modernization of the Broadcasting Act to bring foreign internet streamers (e.g. Netflix) into Canada’s regulatory system. Canadian broadcasters have long had to support Canadian content and to support local news, and the Online Streaming Act will aim to level the playing field between Canadian broadcasters and digital streamers.

Allowing foreign digital streaming services direct access to the Canadian market has upended the traditional funding model that supported broadcast TV for decades, which has contributed to the decline of support for local news.

Meanwhile, news deserts are growing in Canada, even though local news is essential to our democracy.

Bell Media, Rogers Media, Corus Media all had layoffs in 2023, with Bell Media leading the way with 1,300 jobs eliminated last June. Many local communities are without any local news, relying on regionalized news from Canada’s major centres.

Unifor lost over 120 broadcast media members in 2023, and this year, the union has already seen 163 jobs eliminated.

“In an age of disinformation, Canadians will depend on trusted news sources more than ever. The decline of local television news is not simply a function of a change in television viewing habits, it is a result of systematic failure to regulate and properly fund and support it,” said Unifor Media Director Randy Kitt.

“There may be a reluctance from foreign streamers to cooperate with these initiatives, but they have a responsibility to Canadians to contribute to the Canadian broadcasting system in a meaningful way, since they profit from it. It is essential the Commission and the government have a strong resolve against these American streaming giants.”

Unifor represents more than 10,000 media workers, including 5,000 members in the broadcast and film industries.

canadas-wonderland-member-appreciation-day

Tickets for Unifor’s membership appreciation day are now available online and can be purchased at www.canadaswonderland/com/uniforday. We have attached a poster you can post and circulate to your members to inform them of the event. This years event is sponsored by Unifor National and Unifor Ontario Regional Council. As indicated on the poster we are encouraging all participants to wear their Unifor colours/swag as we will be handing out prizes throughout the day. We anticipate this will be a well attended event so please make sure to secure your tickets early. We look forward to seeing you there.

Discounted tickets are as follows:

• $46.99 Ages 3 and up. Includes parking, admission, rides, and lunch at the Courtyard Buffet.
• $18.99 for Courtyard Buffet only (park admission required to gain entry).
• Free for kids under age 2.

May 30, 2024

Unifor members joined thousands of Ontarians in a united stand against the privatization of health care at  rallies organized by the Ontario Health Coalition throughout the province on May 30.

“This is a critical fight for the future of our health care system,” said Samia Hashi, Ontario Regional Director. “We are here to tell the Ford government that privatization is a direct attack on every Ontarian’s right to accessible, quality health care. We will not stand by and watch our public health care system be dismantled and sold off to the highest bidder.”

Hashi joined members at the Toronto rally which began at Nathan Phillips Square before demonstrators made their way to Queen’s Park, where the Ontario Legislature was in session. Unifor organized a massive turnout at the health care rally, with buses filled from all parts of Ontario. The rally featured speakers from various unions, all opposition parties, and numerous health care advocates, demonstrating a unified front against privatization.

“The turnout today is a testament to the strength and unity of Ontarians in defending our public health care.,” said Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition. “We are sending a clear message to the government: our health care is not for sale.”

In addition to the central event in Toronto, large regional rallies were held across Ontario. In Northern Ontario, rallies took place in Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Dryden, and North Bay. Eastern Ontario saw marches and rallies in Ottawa and Cornwall, further amplifying the call to protect public health care.

“The past year our movement has had successes, both at the bargaining table and in the courtrooms. We have won major victories for health care workers and were successful in repealing Bill 124. These wins make our movement stronger and continues the fight against Doug Ford’s privatization agenda,” said Hashi.

The union remains committed to defending our public health care system, vowing to keep up the pressure on the Ford government to abandon its privatization agenda.

View photos from the rally here.

June 3, 2024

OTTAWA – Unifor welcomes the passing of the third reading of the federal pharmacare bill, bringing Canada one step closer to making universal pharmacare a reality.

“We are glad to see the pharmacare plan come to fruition as so many Canadians are in need of it,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “With this bill, we are paving the way for a health care system where no Canadian has to worry about affording their medications. ”

In February, the Liberal/NDP pharmacare plan was introduced, outlining coverage for essential medications, including contraception and diabetes-related prescriptions and equipment. The bill aims to address the gaps in Canada’s health care system, ensuring comprehensive access to necessary medications for all Canadians.

“This plan is especially significant for women, who often face greater barriers to accessing health care,” said Payne. “By including contraception and other vital medications, we are taking a critical step towards achieving gender equity in health care. This is not just about medication; it’s about justice and fairness for all.”

Unifor has called on the federal and provincial governments to work together to make much needed medications available across the country and for the provinces of Alberta and Quebec to commit to dedicating any federal funds received towards pharmacare.

Unifor has been at the forefront of advocating for universal pharmacare, leading initiatives like the Pharmacare Now campaign. Additionally, the union’s Reproductive Justice Now campaign continues to push for expanded access to sexual and reproductive health care services.

Unifor remains dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians through continuous advocacy and collaboration with coalition partners and labour unions.