TORONTO – Municipal workers from across Canada, members of Canada’s community union, are meeting in Toronto to defend the services and infrastructure that keep cities strong.
It is the first gathering of its kind for the workers, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. The strategy session will feature presentations from experts on public finance, environment, social inclusion and local government.
Meeting highlights include:
- Tuesday, May 31, 5:30 p.m.: Keynote address and question-and-answer session with Toronto Mayor David Miller
Remarks from Toronto & York Region Labour Council President John Cartwright - Wednesday, June 1, 9 a.m. - noon: Town hall discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing activists working to build strong communities.
- Wednesday, June 1, 1 p.m.: Panel discussion: “Show us the money.” Economists Ellen Russell and Hugh Mackenzie and municipal finance expert Enid Slack will address public financing and alternatives to privatization.
- Wednesday, June 1, 2:45 p.m.: Focus on the New Deal for cities and towns. Featuring Glen Murray, urban agenda coordinator at the Centre for Urban and Community Studies and CUPE researcher Kathleen Corrigan.
The meeting wraps up Thursday, June 2 with workers developing an action plan to broaden and deepen their advocacy for strong public services and public infrastructure.
All events take place in the Essex Ballroom, Toronto Sheraton Centre (123 Queen St. West).
CUPE is Canada’s largest union and represents 540,000 women and men delivering public services in communities from coast to coast, including the majority of the country’s municipal workers.
Contact:
Karin Jordan, CUPE Communications, cell (613) 222-4436;
Paul Moist, CUPE National President, cell (613) 558 2873.