At 6:00pm Thursday March 13, 2025 Lindsay Mathyssen, MP for London Fanshawe sponsored a Rally at Earl Nichols Arena with Charlie Angus the NDP MP for Timmins-James Bay as the speaker. A capacity
crowd of more that 200 people attended. Charlie’s topic was the threat facing Canada from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Charlie spoke for about a half hour with frequent applause indicating the strong agreement of the audience. Then he responded to written questions from audience members read by Ms. Mathyssen for another half hour. After that there was ample opportunity for individuals to speak to Charlie and have pictures taken with him.

Charlie explained that when he realized just how serious Trump’s attacks on Canada are, how he really wants to weaken our country economically to the point where he can annex it, Charlie simply didn’t know how to respond. Then his wife Brit phoned him and said, “Why have you not responded?” He said, “Because I don’t know what to say.” She said, “Well, you have to say something, because people are frantic!”

Very quickly Charlie concluded that the threat was so immanent and dangerous that the only thing to do was to oppose it strongly and condemn it immediately. He thought that a great metaphor for what was
needed was the way a Canadian hockey team responds when they see an opponent make a very dirty play on one of their teammates. Immediately it’s OVER THE BOARDS and ELBOWS UP!

Recently Charlie was at a meeting with representatives of several countries in Europe. When he talked about Trump’s gross threats to Canada, instead of giving any support, the other attendees scolded him for being impolite. This made him speak up even stronger. When the other representatives said, “What gives you the right to tell us what we should do?”

Charlie said, “What gives me the right is the fact that when your countries were facing Hitler’s threat, my uncles came here and fought for you. And if you want to come 30 miles down the road with me, I’ll show you where one of them is buried!”

Only one other representative at the meeting expressed support for Canada against Trump – he was from Latvia near Russia.

Two different times in the course of his remarks, Charlie said that obviously Ukraine is the country in the most peril at this time. “After Ukraine, Canada is next!” he said.

When asked a question about the new leader of the Liberal Party, Charlie refrained from direct comment, but he made it very clear that he thought that the possibility of a Conservative victory should be avoided
at all cost in the coming election.

That evening Premier Ford had said that he had had a very good meeting with officials in Washington that day about Trump’s tariffs and Charlie said simply he was hoping that Ford’s optimism was justified.

Charlie stressed that prompt action by Canada was necessary because, “we certainly don’t want a long drawn out fight.”

He asked, “where are the Democrats?” And he praised Bernie Sanders for his rallies in many different states.

Both Charlie and Ms. Mathyssen stressed the need for preparedness by the Canadian Defense Department.

The topic of what individual Canadians can do came up. Very careful shopping for Canadian-made products was obvious. Also mutual help, encouragement and tangible support in family, work and church groups. Charlie stressed the advantage of live, in person discussions over computer meetings. “Even if you don’t agree with someone in a group, you may end up going for a beer and find something you do agree on.”

Those so inclined may wish to support the petition to have Elon Musk’s Canadian citizenship revoked. It can be easily found on the computer. Charlie said it is already the biggest petition on record.

It seemed to me that Ms. Mathyssen and her organizers and Charlie Angus delivered a great service to Londoners with this rally.

The post Frank Green Reports: Charlie Angus and “Elbows Up!” appeared first on London and District Labour Council.

The issue of missing and murdered Indigenous people in London, Ontario, is a complex and sensitive topic. It’s important to approach this subject with respect and awareness.

There have been reports and investigations into the disproportionate number of missing and murdered Indigenous people in Canada, including in London, Ontario. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) was established in 2016 to investigate this issue. The inquiry’s final report, released in 2019, identified systemic racism, colonialism, and gender-based violence as contributing factors to the high rates of violence against Indigenous people.

If you or someone you know is affected by this issue, there are resources available to help. The National Inquiry’s final report includes recommendations for addressing this issue, and there are organizations and support services available to provide assistance and support.

For more information and resources, you can visit:

• The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
• The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
• The London Police Service’s Indigenous Liaison Officer
• https://www.facebook.com/share/p/LgQyiLjjzNFnydFk/?mibextid=qi2Omg

The post REDress Day May 5, 2024 appeared first on London and District Labour Council.

Greetings,

On behalf of PSAC 610 we write to you with a simple request: do not take up any proctoring or marking positions during exam season this year, if our Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) union goes on strike.

The employer (Western University) has not heard our demands, and made it clear they do not take the situation of GTAs seriously. Our members are facing extreme financial hardship and are prepared to withdraw our labour in order to get the raise required to meet the present-day cost of living.

We ask that you do not take up a proctoring and marking position for the employer this exam season.

We ask that you do not cross the picket line and do work reserved for our bargaining unit.

We encourage you to join our picket line in solidarity, if you can.

Our members do not have enough to eat, and face extreme exploitation due to a mixed student/worker status. We are the starving mustangs you never hear about.

Your solidarity is important to us during this time of financial hardship for our members. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by refraining from taking up any proctoring or marking positions reserved for our bargaining unit during this exam season.

Please forward this email far and wide.

Thank you,
PSAC 610

The post Stand with PSAC 610 appeared first on London and District Labour Council.

Sounds super serious right? It’s also a time for joy and happiness and spending time with loved ones. At the end of the month there is a big celebration called Eid al-Fitr – involving lots of food, family and gifts.

Why do the dates for the month of Ramadan change every year?
For religious matters, Muslims follow a lunar calendar – which is based on the phases of the moon – with 12 months adding up to approximately 354 days. That’s 11 days shorter than the 365 days in the Gregorian calendar. The Islamic lunar calendar moves backwards approximately 11 days each year in relation to the Gregorian calendar.

Can you wish a person a happy Ramadan?
Absolutely! It feels great to be acknowledged during this month. We also say Ramadan Mubarak to each other (RAH-mah-don moo-bah-ROK).

Do all Muslims fast?
There are special exemptions for those who are ill, pregnant or nursing, menstruating, or traveling and for young children and the elderly.

Is it rude to eat or drink in a meeting in front of a Muslim colleague?
No. Fasting is for ourselves, please don’t feel like you have to fast too. We would never want our colleagues to feel guilty or awkward around us.

How can I support a Muslim colleague during Ramadan?
Please be supportive and understanding, and try to avoid organizing compulsory work lunches during this time. Fasting will likely have an impact on energy levels, coupled with longer nights spent in the community and worship – especially during the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan, which are considered the most sacred.

The post Ramadan Mubarak appeared first on London and District Labour Council.

Last week we wrote to you about “Public Transit Service Hours Growth is not in the mayor’s budget”.  It still isn’t in the budget!  Please write to the mayor and councillors before this Thursday’s budget meeting to make it happen.

At last Thursday’s budget meeting Councillor Ferreira moved an amendment to add 18,000 service hours to the LTC budget each year for four years – less than what the LTC is asking for, but a good start.  The motion was defeated 8-7.

Mayor Morgan and these councillors voted against funding for improved transit service: Deputy Mayor Lewis, Budget Committee Chair Elizabeth Peloza, and Councillors Rahman, Cuddy, Van Meerbergen, Hillier, and Lehman.

Councillor Skylar Franke spoke in favour.  You can see her speech here:  https://fb.watch/qaowCwC3Pn/

Some of what Councillor Franke said:

The LTC has been underfunded by the city for decades and it requires a significant increase in order to address the chronic underfunding.

When the LTC compares with other similar cities of similar size, the LTC gets the lowest municipal subsidy.  Right now around 45% of their operating budget comes from the municipality.  Other cities’ transit systems get between 50% to 70% of their operating budget from municipalities.

The number one source of emissions in London was from cars.  In order to give people another option we have to improve our transit.

I think that we have a duty to be able to provide better service to them, so they can get to work and school and get around the city.

Last Wednesday Climate Action London held a community press conference for public transit that was covered by CTV, CBC and London Free Press.  You can see videos of the press conference here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJiqOB72Rzw0WXtK2r1DtbB5okPGK0CXe
 
London Chapter’s Norah Fraser said,

My name is Norah Fraser and I am a co-chair of Council of Canadians London Chapter.  I’m also a senior on a low income who pays property taxes.  My taxes are the average for London.  I mention this because some city councillors keep bringing up their concern for seniors on low incomes who they say may become homeless if their taxes go up too much.

There is help in the budget for people who need help.  There is an emergency fund to help people pay utility bills if they need it.  That fund needs to be topped up and I hope that Council supports that business case.  

Another item that can help is the low interest loans to pay for energy upgrades like heat pumps that would save money and save lives during a heat wave or a cold snap.

The thing is, taxes pay for services.  I don’t want a tax break.  I want services like transit and libraries and all the things that property taxes pay for.  These councillors want to save me $50 or $100 a year in taxes but transit fares just went up by 18%.  

Recently the Council of Canadians London Chapter hosted a Zoom meeting about the budget.  We learned that London’s property taxes are the third lowest in Ontario.  If our taxes went up by 35% they would still be below average for Ontario.  Our taxes have been low for a long time.  The city’s subsidy for public transit is the lowest in Ontario.  Same for the library system.  Our infrastructure health is worse than the national average.

I don’t mind paying property taxes.  Taxes are how we care for each other.  Some councillors seem to think that their main job is to keep taxes low.  That’s wrong.  The job of the Mayor and Council is to make the city work for all of us.  Public transit is a big part of that.

Please write to the mayor and councillors urging them to provide funding for Public Transit Service Hours Growth in the multi-year budget.

mayor@london.ca, hmcalister@london.ca, slewis@london.ca, pcuddy@london.ca, sstevenson@london.ca, jpribil@london.ca, strosow@london.ca, corahman@london.ca, slehman@london.ca, ahopkins@london.ca, pvanmeerbergen@london.ca, sfranke@london.ca, epeloza@london.ca, dferreira@london.ca, shillier@london.ca

London Chapter 
Council of Canadians

The post London Transit service hours growth is still not in the budget! appeared first on London and District Labour Council.

Where: Entrance to Citi Plaza London Ontario just west of Dundas and Wellington streets (CBC and London Public Library are just inside)

Who: London Health Coalition announcing plans to attend the Toronto Rally and why it is so important

When: 11 am Thursday Sept 21^st.

Why: There has never been a greater attack on public healthcare since the inception of medicare.  We have unprecedented ER closures amid blatant actions of Ford funding private healthcare in violation of the Canada Health Act.  In the background there is the corruption of Ford staffers enriching developers and in this case he is enriching the private sector using public money while underfunding a public healthcare system in crisis.

Private care costs more, has more deaths, worse outcomes, less patient satisfaction, less oversight, will exacerbate the 25,000 nurse shortage, will not improve surgical wait times and will undermine democratic decision making. 

Please join us as we raise the alarm.  Medicare is our birthright. We must act quickly and decisively to defend it.

The post Londoners Going to Mass Rally Monday Sept 25th to Demand Ford Cease Privatization of Core Hospital Services appeared first on London and District Labour Council.

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The Ontario Health Coalition is holding local town halls to stop Ford government’s plans to privatize our local public hospitals and demand they take action to fix the crisis in our local hospitals. Since last summer and continuing currently, Ontario has had almost a hundred emergency department closures due to the staffing crisis. In addition, ICUs, maternity units and other vital services have been subject to temporary closures.  The Ford government has done very little to address the crisis in our local public hospitals and instead is using the crisis to push privatization of their services.

All across Ontario people have banded together for a century or more to build up our local public hospitals. We have volunteered, fundraised and donated from our pay cheques because these are vital services for our communities. Premier Ford claimed that 50% of hospital surgeries were easy, and thus, of the kind he is trying to privatize. This would devastate our local public hospitals, unless we stop him. 

Private clinics and private hospitals routinely extra bill patients for medically needed services, upsell patients medically unnecessary services and make services contingent on purchasing upgrades and extra testing. They are a take-away, not an add on. They take funding, health professionals and less costly surgeries from our local public hospitals. We have the physical capacity to address the surgical and diagnostic backlog in our local hospitals. Building and expanding private clinics and hospitals serves no purpose other than to carve out and dismantle our hospitals and sell them off to corporations. Witness locally the recent decanting from the London Health Sciences Centre of the fertility clinic and cardiac fitness institute.

What we need now is action to address the hospital crisis and a plan to recruit and retain vital health professionals in our public hospitals, not further privatization.

Everyone, including media, is welcome.

Advance registration is required. Upon registering you will be emailed a Zoom link.

London: Thursday, February 16 at 7 p.m.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlcOmvpjsrG9d-tLoHuuBt95tLGdvVlyaF

Natalie Mehra, executive director, Ontario Health Coalition
Peter Bergmanis, Co-chair, London Health Coalition

The post Local Town Hall Meetings to Stop Ford’s Plans to Privatize and Demand Action to Fix the Hospital Crisis appeared first on London and District Labour Council.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating #Labour champions at our Labour Appreciation Awards Night yesterday. We heard some inspiring stories of community service and impact: people committed to building a place of equity, opportunity and solidarity. To all those who won awards – congratulations! And to all attendees and supporters: thank you for making a difference. #DoGooders #LabourUnited Don’t forget to check out our web story https://unitedwayem.ca/reunited-in-solidarity/

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