Category: Uncategorized

As some of you may know, we have unfortunately see the far-right push to not have 2SLGBTQIA+ material included in schools as well as unsafely out children who disclose at school. This causes immense harm to children in so many ways. This hateful group has organized protests across Ontario and we want to show them that is unacceptable and we want to protect these children from further harm.

Join us for a counter protest across Ontario to show that COPE-SEPB Ontario does not condone this innate harm.

Counter protests are being organized in Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, London, Windsor, Orangeville, Barrie, Sudbury, Whitby, Ottawa and more to come. (Full list will be sent to those who RSVP using the link below)

No Space for Hate counter protests – RSVP here

If you are unable to make it to a physical event, please share the event widely within your networks and share the social media images created by the OFL (accessed via link above).

Good Afternoon everyone,

I am please to reach out and inform you that our healthcare campaign has begun; We are working hard to fight the attack on our public healthcare!

The first phase of this campaign is our landing page with an email campaign for folks to share their concerns with local politicians and leaders. We would really love to see as much support for all of our locals on this as this is an issue that will affect all of our members in the long run.

We are kindly asking folks to circulate and spread this campaign to their members, on your locals’ socials and within your networks.

To find more info, visit our landing page with info visit: www.copeontario.ca/health

Check out the landing page to find the link to our email campaign and additional information!

Please also find social share images (in both English and French) for folks to share on their own social medias.

Keep an eye out for more details and next steps coming to this campaign.

its that time of year again when the unions of Thunder Bay get together and have a picnic

again this year, COPE local 96 will have a tent set up with swag to be given out

please come and enjoy the activities and meet your fellow union brothers and sisters from all unions of Thunder Bay

To: Members of the CLC Canadian Council
Ontario Labour Councils

Greetings,

As you are all likely aware, the membership of Unifor working at 27 Metro stores in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario began strike action this week.

In an effort to support those workers on strike, we have seen a few calls for people to either boycott Metro stores in those geographic locations or across the entire chain, including other banner stores such as Food Basics.

While those calls for a boycott are well intentioned, they ignore the fact that there are multiple unions who represent workers at Metro stores that remain at work, covered by active collective agreements. Instead, calls to respect picket lines at the specific struck workplaces is the more appropriate message.

As a reminder, the CLC has a boycott policy which is designed to avoid any potential conflicts between affiliates.

Workers across Canada (and the world) have been feeling the downward pressures against them and are exercising their power – the right to withdraw their labour. We in the labour movement will continue to support workers in their rights, in solidarity with each other.

Workers, united, will never be defeated!

In solidarity,

Bea Bruske
President

We are pleased to introduce ourselves to you as the new Political Action Campaign Organizers for COPE Ontario. We’re here to work with local leaders, stewards, committees, and members (of course!) on the pressing issues in our union.

We’re currently focused on (but not limited to) four main areas :

– Violence in Education
– Privatization of Healthcare
– Pay Equity
– Bill 124

We’ve already started working on these campaigns and, over the coming months, you’ll be hearing from us (and seeing us) more often as we roll them out across the province. We’re also restarting the COPE Ontario Political Action Committee, which you can sign up for below.

June marks Indigenous History Month in Canada. It is an opportunity for Canadians to recognize and honour the rich history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) peoples in Canada who continue to flourish despite past and ongoing oppression.

During Indigenous History Month, we celebrate the incredible contributions of FNMI peoples to society such as the artwork of Norval Morrisseau and Annie Pootoogook, the music of Jeremy Dutcher and Aysanabee, the filmmaking of Alanis Obomsawin, the writings of Lee Maracle, and so many others.

In addition to celebrating these trailblazers, National Indigenous History Month also presents an occasion for us to reflect upon the ongoing work that must be done toward Truth and Reconciliation.

In its 2022 Truth and Reconciliation accountability report, the Yellowhead Institute noted that two Calls to Action were completed in 2022, bringing the total completed calls to 13 out of 94. “At this rate,” they observe, “it will take 42 years, or until 2065, to complete all the Calls to Action.

As Indigenous History month begins, we encourage you to celebrate, learn more, reflect, and take action.

During the month of June, we celebrate Pride Month by honouring, uplifting and recognizing the vibrant and diverse 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The 2SLGBTQIA+ community has fought for acceptance, inclusion, and civil rights for decades. Pride began in the 1970s as a protest and will continue to be a protest until equal rights and justice are received for all. In solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, COPE Ontario will continue to support future protests, movements and fights for justice and equity.

In 2023, we saw a resurgence of unacceptable actions, hate speech and violence against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, specifically trans people, drag queens and Black, Indigenous, and racialized members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. According to Statistics Canada there has been a 64% rise in hate crimes targeting sexual orientation across Canada since 2020. This increase reflects a fight from prejudiced and discriminatory people trying to strip the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities of their rights. These groups under attack are at the forefront of the fight for justice, equality and acceptance and we will continue to support and uplift the voices of those that are under attack.

COPE Ontario condemns these injustices and will continue to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to create inclusive and safe workplaces and environments. COPE Ontario supports the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to continue to push forward in the fight for equity for all, and we will not stop until justice, civil rights and equality are upheld.

As members of a union spanning across a wide variety of public and private sectors, we must continue the fight to eliminate hate and inequalities from our workplaces, our communities and in all areas of society.

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

Enclosed you will find application forms for the “Jack Elwert” Bursary Award which is sponsored by COPE Local 96.

There will be three (3) Bursaries of $350.00 each given out.

To be eligible for this Bursary the student needs to meet the following criteria.

1. Applicant must be a child of COPE Local 96 member.

2. Applicant must be currently registered in Grade 12.

3. Applicant must:

• Provide a copy of current transcript
• Attach completed application form
• Write a 500-word essay in your own words on who Tommy Douglas was and what he did to improve the lives of Canadian workers
• Provide proof of acceptance into post-secondary institution

Jack Elwert Bursary Letter and Application to Members2023

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

Spurred on by the universal female suffrage movement, IWD originated from labor movements in North America and Europe during the early 20th century. The earliest version was purportedly a “Women’s Day” organized by the Socialist Party of America in New York City February 28, 1909. This inspired German delegates at the 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference to propose “a special Women’s Day” be organized annually, albeit with no set date; the following year saw the first demonstrations and commemorations of International Women’s Day across Europe. After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917 (the beginning of the February Revolution), IWD was made a national holiday on March 8; it was subsequently celebrated on that date by the socialist movement and communist countries. The holiday was associated with far-left movements and governments until its adoption by the global feminist movement in the late 1960s. IWD became a mainstream global holiday following its adoption by the United Nations in 1977.

International Women’s Day is commemorated in a variety of ways worldwide; it is a public holiday in several countries, and observed socially or locally in others to celebrate and promote the achievements of women.

The UN observes the holiday in connection with a particular issue, campaign, or theme in women’s rights. In some parts of the world, IWD still reflects its political origins, being marked by protests and calls for radical change; in other areas, particularly in the West, it is largely sociocultural and centered on a celebration of womanhood.

womens day (French)

womens day