Some members of the Windsor-Essex community are not sold on the government's promise that Ontario is "open for business".
The Windsor and District Labour council hosted a media event Friday morning at the Unifor 444/200 Hall in Windsor to coincide with the first anniversary of the election that brought Premier Doug Ford and a Progressive Conservative government to power with a majority. While the Ford government said much has been accomplished to reduce provincial debt and to make the province more business-friendly and competitive; speakers at the WDLC conference are saying that these programs are not necessarily "for the people".
Speakers representing areas affected by planned government cuts described the effects of those cuts on their area of expertise. These ranged from health care to the environment to post-secondary education.
Jada Malott is a Grade 9 student at St. Joseph's High School in Windsor, and she is no stranger to student activism. She said plans to increase classroom sizes across Ontario would do nothing but cause additional stress for students and teachers alike, particularly those with special needs.
"How can a teacher accommodate for a classroom, with 30-plus students, that have learning disabilities, behavioural issues and language barriers?" asked Malott. "The reality is is that they can't, and that's exactly how students get left behind."
Support services for those on the autism spectrum had also been considered for cuts. Joshua Goldthorpe, a student at Talbot Trail School with autism, insisted he is better now because of those services, and he wants to make sure those on the spectrum continue to get that help.
"My job is to protect all the ASD [autism spectrum disorder] families so they can get a job in the future and they can be successful in life," said Joshua.
The Ford government's plan to expand alcohol sales to corner stores and big-box retailers is also facing criticism from the WDLC. Billie Bridgewater, the chief steward for OPSEU Local 162, told BlackburnNewsWindsor.com that she isn't buying the notion that prices will stay low due to increased competition.
"The fact that dollar beers or increased hours are going to be better for our community is not believable in my eyes whatsoever, being an employee of the LCBO for 20 years and seeing the things that we have to deal with and the things that we are trained on," said Bridgewater.
The government has adjourned for the summer and is not due to reconvene until after the October 28 federal election.
