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Hamilton Spectator
4 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ford government is still underfunding education despite budget increase, school boards say
School boards say they are still facing a shortfall of $404 per student despite a boost in funding from the Ontario government. Although the province will spend $30.3 billion on per-pupil funding in 2025-26 — a 2.6 per cent increase which is expected to meet or exceed inflation — it doesn't make up for years where funding didn't keep up with inflation, says the Ontario Public School Boards' Association after conducting its own analysis of last month's Ontario budget announcement . 'While this year and last year represent a step in the right direction, the challenging reality is that funding still falls short of closing the gap that has developed since 2018,' said OPSBA president Kathleen Woodcock. 'We are also concerned by projections in the budget document that suggest education funding will plateau in the years ahead. This would be a step backward at a time when the needs of students, the demands on school boards, and cost pressures continue to rise.' Woodcock said the government's spending increases on cybersecurity, busing and portables have helped, but that the province has not provided funding for mandatory contributions that have also gone up, including Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance. Emma Testani, press secretary for Education Minister Paul Calandra, said 'this year, Ontario is providing a record $30.3 billion in core education funding to school boards. We expect all boards across the province to spend every dollar of these funds directly on students, parents and teachers.' She added 'that is why last week, we introduced legislation that, if passed, would strengthen government oversight, accountability and transparency in school boards. Parents deserve confidence that boards are making decisions in the best interests of their children's education,' referring to a proposed bill that critics have characterized as a ' power grab .' The OPSBA said that when the Ford government took power in 2018, per-pupil funding was $12,282, and in the upcoming school year will be $14,560 — but when adjusted to 2018 dollars, funding has actually dropped, leaving a $693-million gap for the province's 31 English public boards alone. (The association noted, however, that the per-pupil funding increase in the 2024-25 school year actually exceeded inflation, after earlier estimates projected it would not.) School boards have incurred extra costs in particular in areas such as special education and in keeping small schools open because of a province-wide moratorium on closures, the association says. On Monday at Queen's Park, New Democrat MPP Chandra Pasma, her party's education critic, accused the Ford government of underfunding the education system by billions of dollars over the years. Students 'need teachers, books, and safe and healthy schools,' she said. 'You know what the people of the province of Ontario want to see? … They want to see that $6.5 billion returned to our education system.' She also slammed the government's proposed bill, adding parents 'want to have a say in the decisions that affect their kids' schools, but this minister is taking that away from them and giving himself the power to push aside democratically elected school boards for literally any reason he feels like.' During the legislature's daily question period, Calandra fired back. 'I don't need school boards or trustees writing curriculum. I don't need them opining on global affairs,' he said. 'You know what I need them doing? Sitting at their desk putting money back into the classroom. Anything else, I don't need them to do.'
Global News
8 hours ago
- Business
- Global News
Using Canadian steel for defence, industry is a ‘turning point,' union says
A commitment by the federal government to use Canadian steel and aluminum for major national defence and infrastructure projects could be a 'turning point' for Canada's economy, the union representing steelworkers said Monday. 'The United Steelworkers (USW) welcomes the federal government's decision to require Canadian steel and aluminum in national infrastructure and defense projects,' the union's national director Marty Warren said. The statement comes after Industry Minister Melanie Joly committed to using Canadian steel and aluminum in national infrastructure and defence projects as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to impose more tariffs. 10:54 Trump 'is not finished with tariffs' After meeting with aluminum industry leaders at a summit in Montreal, Joly said the government is waiting to see if Trump follows through on his threat to increase steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 per cent through an executive order. Story continues below advertisement The hike in tariffs is set to go into effect Wednesday. Warren said this action by the Canadian government was especially important 'in the face of a worsening trade war and unfair global competition.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The union, which represents 225,000 members across Canada, called for protections to be put into place for workers impacted by Trump's tariffs. 'We continue to call for stronger trade enforcement, anti-dumping measures, comprehensive reform to Employment Insurance, and the introduction of a wage subsidy program to support workers impacted by this trade war,' Warren said. 1:02 Trump says he will double steel tariffs to 50 per cent The Liberals campaigned in the recent election on 'maximizing' the use of Canadian steel, aluminum and forestry products in public projects. In March, Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the United States. Canada is the largest steel supplier to the United States, accounting for nearly 25 per cent of all imports in 2023. He threatened to increase those on Saturday. Story continues below advertisement Canadian metal producers are sounding the alarm over Trump's heightened tariff plan. Catherine Cobden, president and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA), said the steel industries in Canada and the U.S. are highly integrated and tariffs would hit steel producers on both sides. 'Steel tariffs at this level will create mass disruption and negative consequences across our highly integrated steel supply chains and customers on both sides of the border,' Cobden said in a statement Saturday. 2:06 Canada ponders response to Trump's latest steel tariffs threat The tariff increase will take effect Wednesday, Trump said in a Truth Social post shortly after he announced the new rate for steel imports at a rally with steelworkers in Pennsylvania. 'Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before. This will be yet another BIG jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers,' Trump wrote. Story continues below advertisement Cobden said the move 'essentially closes the U.S. market to our domestic industry for half of its production.' 'It is vital that the Government of Canada responds immediately to fully re-instate retaliatory steel tariffs to match the American tariffs and to implement as quickly as possible new tariffs at our own borders to stop unfairly traded steel from entering Canada,' she said. She said a trade war between Canada and the U.S. would 'have unrecoverable consequences' on the North American steel industry. — with files from The Canadian Press
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Throne Speech falls short on worker commitments
United Steelworkers union (USW) National Director, Marty Warren, issued the following statement: TORONTO, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday's Throne Speech included some encouraging commitments – on industrial strategy, housing and infrastructure – that, if delivered properly, could lay the foundation for good union jobs and stronger communities. But with workers facing rising costs, economic uncertainty and mounting pressure from U.S. trade aggression, the federal government must move swiftly from vision to action, ensuring workers are central to every decision. We welcome the government's stated ambition to create high-quality, skilled trades careers, invest in affordable housing built with Canadian workers and domestic materials and position Canada as a global leader in clean energy. These are good priorities. But what matters now is how they are implemented and whether working people are meaningfully involved from day one. Bringing labour to the table isn't symbolic – it's how workers' priorities are delivered. The Steelworkers union represents tens of thousands of members in industrial, manufacturing and resource sectors – those on the front lines of global trade shocks and job loss. These workers expected more clarity on how Canada will respond to Trump's escalating tariffs and defend jobs under threat. The speech's broader economic vision must be backed by concrete measures to protect Canadian industries, enforce fair trade and ensure public dollars create public value and good, unionized jobs. We also welcome the government's recognition of Canada's need for economic self-reliance in an increasingly unstable world. Identifying major nation-building projects is a step in the right direction, and so is the acknowledgment that building Canada's future means investing in infrastructure and innovation. However, key pieces remain missing. There is no commitment to reform Employment Insurance – a lifeline for many workers during economic downturns. There is no clear path to strengthen labour rights, improve collective bargaining or expand union access, which helps workers better weather the current cost-of-living crisis. And there is no assurance that the push to remove interprovincial trade and labour mobility barriers won't undermine local job creation or labour standards. The promise to cut red tape and shrink public sector growth may appeal to corporate interests, but for working people, it risks eroding the very services and safeguards they rely on. Deregulation doesn't improve job quality, and austerity doesn't build resilient communities. Steelworkers are ready to work with the federal government to ensure ambitions translate into results for workers. But we will not stay silent if decisions are made without us or at our expense. About the United Steelworkers union The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of the union's strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation – including good wages, benefits and pensions. For more information, please contact:Shannon Devine, USW Communications, sdevine@ 416-938-4402 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
6 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
THRONE SPEECH MISSES THE MARK FOR WORKERS
Statement by , President of the Canadian Labour Congress, on the Government's Throne Speech OTTAWA, ON, May 27, 2025 /CNW/ - Workers expected an ambitious plan to strengthen our economy, create jobs, and defend communities against Trump's agenda, however, today's throne speech provided none of this. Workers need the federal government to have a plan, backed by bold investment and action, to deliver good union jobs, stronger public services, and economic security for all. Canadian families continue to bear the brunt of a continued affordability crisis and Trump's economic chaos. For far too many workers, wages are not keeping up with rising costs. Families are facing an increasingly unattainable housing market, and many are being left behind by a strained Employment Insurance system and an under-resourced public health care system. At the same time, a rising unemployment rate is making it even harder for workers to find stable, secure jobs and support their families. Prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy over support for those who need it most signals a step away from the bold action needed to tackle the trade war, housing crisis, strained health care, and the climate emergency. While we welcome the government's intention to "bring down costs for Canadians", we are deeply concerned by a Throne Speech that emphasizes deregulation, cost-cutting, and fiscal restraint over meaningful investment in people and the services they rely on. The Throne Speech's proposals to eliminate internal trade barriers fail to raise the bar for workers across the board and instead risk weakening standards and protections and undermining provincial autonomy. Unions must have a seat at the table in these conversations because workers cannot be an afterthought when shaping Canada's future. The government must prioritize the creation of good jobs and a globally competitive industrial strategy, but not if it comes at the cost of public oversight or by shortchanging the workers who build our economy. It must begin with investments in infrastructure, clean energy, manufacturing, and care services that create good union jobs and support communities. Tinkering with regulations or shrinking government operations is no substitute for the real, sustained investment that working families need. On housing, we urge the government to go beyond incentives for private developers and commit to building publicly funded, truly affordable housing. Every Canadian deserves a safe place to call home, not just market-driven promises of "affordability." The government's commitment to attracting global talent is important, but it must go hand-in-hand with strong labour protections, fair wages, and a renewed focus on training and retaining workers already here. Immigration policy must be grounded in equity and sustainability, not as a cover for suppressing wages or undercutting working conditions. Lastly, we are particularly alarmed by the suggestion of cutting public services at a time when Canadians, reeling from Trump's trade war, need more support, not less. Limiting investments now would only deepen inequality and strain already overburdened systems like health care and EI. Similarly, vague promises to use AI to boost productivity must be met with clear commitments to job protection, quality public services, and strong regulations to ensure technology works for and with workers, not against them. Workers are watching. This moment calls for courageous leadership, not cost-cutting or complacency. The government must work with Canada's unions to raise wages, strengthen public health care, implement universal, publicly funded Pharmacare, modernize Employment Insurance, and ensure that no worker is left behind. It's time for this government to choose: bold leadership, or missed opportunity. Workers were front and centre during the election, but left out of the Throne Speech. We're ready to work with this government, but make no mistake: if it fails workers, we won't hesitate to hold it to account.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
THRONE SPEECH MISSES THE MARK FOR WORKERS
Statement by Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, on the Government's Throne Speech OTTAWA, ON, May 27, 2025 /CNW/ - Workers expected an ambitious plan to strengthen our economy, create jobs, and defend communities against Trump's agenda, however, today's throne speech provided none of this. Workers need the federal government to have a plan, backed by bold investment and action, to deliver good union jobs, stronger public services, and economic security for all. Canadian families continue to bear the brunt of a continued affordability crisis and Trump's economic chaos. For far too many workers, wages are not keeping up with rising costs. Families are facing an increasingly unattainable housing market, and many are being left behind by a strained Employment Insurance system and an under-resourced public health care system. At the same time, a rising unemployment rate is making it even harder for workers to find stable, secure jobs and support their families. Prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy over support for those who need it most signals a step away from the bold action needed to tackle the trade war, housing crisis, strained health care, and the climate emergency. While we welcome the government's intention to "bring down costs for Canadians", we are deeply concerned by a Throne Speech that emphasizes deregulation, cost-cutting, and fiscal restraint over meaningful investment in people and the services they rely on. The Throne Speech's proposals to eliminate internal trade barriers fail to raise the bar for workers across the board and instead risk weakening standards and protections and undermining provincial autonomy. Unions must have a seat at the table in these conversations because workers cannot be an afterthought when shaping Canada's future. The government must prioritize the creation of good jobs and a globally competitive industrial strategy, but not if it comes at the cost of public oversight or by shortchanging the workers who build our economy. It must begin with investments in infrastructure, clean energy, manufacturing, and care services that create good union jobs and support communities. Tinkering with regulations or shrinking government operations is no substitute for the real, sustained investment that working families need. On housing, we urge the government to go beyond incentives for private developers and commit to building publicly funded, truly affordable housing. Every Canadian deserves a safe place to call home, not just market-driven promises of "affordability." The government's commitment to attracting global talent is important, but it must go hand-in-hand with strong labour protections, fair wages, and a renewed focus on training and retaining workers already here. Immigration policy must be grounded in equity and sustainability, not as a cover for suppressing wages or undercutting working conditions. Lastly, we are particularly alarmed by the suggestion of cutting public services at a time when Canadians, reeling from Trump's trade war, need more support, not less. Limiting investments now would only deepen inequality and strain already overburdened systems like health care and EI. Similarly, vague promises to use AI to boost productivity must be met with clear commitments to job protection, quality public services, and strong regulations to ensure technology works for and with workers, not against them. Workers are watching. This moment calls for courageous leadership, not cost-cutting or complacency. The government must work with Canada's unions to raise wages, strengthen public health care, implement universal, publicly funded Pharmacare, modernize Employment Insurance, and ensure that no worker is left behind. It's time for this government to choose: bold leadership, or missed opportunity. Workers were front and centre during the election, but left out of the Throne Speech. We're ready to work with this government, but make no mistake: if it fails workers, we won't hesitate to hold it to account. SOURCE Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
