What are your Priorities for this Election?

• Protect GIG WORKERS and classify them as employees with a guaranteed minimum wage, reimbursement for work-related expenses, paid sick days, overtime pay, vacation, leaves of absence, EI and CPP contributions and eligibility, and more. With huge corporations like Uber lobbying our government to create another class of “employee,” it’s vital that there is a voice to protect the workers. Read the OFL’s Gig Workers’ Bill of Rights, endorsed by UFCW Canada @ takeaction.ofl.ca/action/gig-workers

• The EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (EI) system needs reform. More than 8 million Canadians have received Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments during the pandemic. Left to the current EI system alone, many of those workers wouldn’t have qualified for EI for various reasons including self-employment, gig work, lacking worked hours, and more.

• By RETURNING MANUFACTURING JOBS TO CANADA and CREATING ‘NEW ENERGY’ JOBS, the country can enhance employment in the long-term, build self-reliance when faced with crises that affect our borders, and ensure we take the steps we can to protect our environment.

• Establish a NATIONAL DAYCARE PROGRAM to end daycare deserts and wait lists, make child care affordable, pay Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) fairly, and remove barriers to working parents, and particularly mothers who continue to be primary caregivers in the majority of households.

• MAKE LONG-TERM CARE A PART OF THE UNIVERSAL PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM, eliminating the for-profit model and providing adequate funding to support the needs of our aging population, establish national standards, ensure full-time hours with better pay, benefits, and provide mental health supports.

• Establish UNIVERSAL PHARMACARE so Canadians aren’t forced to forego expensive medication that could save their lives, treat chronic illnesses, and help prevent worsening conditions.

• ADDRESS SYSTEMIC RACISM AND OPPRESSION to bring about positive change for people who are marginalized in, and by, this country, by listening to and acting on the recommendations of those people and their representative organizations.

• MAKE REAL CHANGE TOWARD FIRST NATIONS RECONCILIATION through implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, respecting treaties and self-determination, ensuring clean water for all, providing equitable healthcare, education, and housing to all, taking action to address the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and anti-Indigenous violence across this nation, and much more.

• Foster INCLUSIVITY, EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT through partnerships with individuals and organizations to end violence, oppression, and hate based on skin colour, religion, gender expression, abilities, and more.