Labour groups and other advocates are preparing for a political fight with Premier Doug Ford.
More than 500 went online Monday to protest Ford’s decision to use the notwithstanding clause from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to bring back a bill governing election spending and third-party advertising.
Ontario Federation of Labour President Patty Coates says his priorities are out of whack.
“When the humanitarian crisis in long-term care was at its worst, when workers were being forced to choose between going to work, sick and putting food on the table, Doug Ford refused to recall the legislature when it mattered the most,” says Coates.
The Premier’s opponents are focused on removing Ford and the Progressive Conservatives from office.
The groups are starting with a social media campaign aimed at every PC member in office.
Coates says they won’t forget what Ford has done.
“We’re going to do everything in our power to deliver a final and irreversible verdict on this government. Not event the notwithstanding clause will save this government,” says Coates.
Canadian Union of Public Employees’ Fred Hahn says no PC member deserves to be reelected.
“Today’s the day we start that campaign. Today’s the day we make sure the Conservatives are gone, and we reclaim our province in the next election,” says Hahn
The Ontario Federation of Labour says it’s not opposed to limits on election spending.
The OFL argues the repackaged bill still contains segments of the previous bill struck down by the courts last week as unconstitutional.