Latest news with #NewsTalk1010
Global News
2 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Brampton mayor Patrick Brown says public servants must return to office full-time
Brampton mayor Patrick Brown is following the province's lead by mandating that city employees return to in-office work full time next year. The provincial government announced Thursday that public servants will be required to be in the office four days a week beginning Oct. 20, and ramp up to five days a week by Jan. 5. Brown announced his decision on a NewsTalk 1010 radio show Friday morning, saying the choice to follow suit in Brampton was 'long overdue.' 'This is a legacy of an accommodation which was brought in during COVID and as much as there are some benefits, you don't get the same level of productivity,' Brown said on the radio show, adding that the decision was finalized Thursday evening. The City of Brampton said in a statement Friday afternoon that the decision 'aligns with evolving workplace trends across Ontario.' Story continues below advertisement 'We remain focused on supporting our workforce through this transition while continuing to advance the priorities of our city, and delivering high-quality programs and services for residents, businesses and community partners,' the city continued in a statement. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Brown also said during the radio show that he thinks the decision by the provincial government will have 'cascading effects' when it comes to other public employees. The City of Mississauga said in a statement Friday afternoon that it plans to continue with its current hybrid working arrangement, which requires workers to be in-office three days a week. The city added that it will 'continue to monitor' to make sure the arrangement works for employees. It said about four-fifths of the city's workforce are already in-office full time. The City of Toronto didn't share whether or not it plans to end its hybrid work policy, which requires employees be at their workplace in person two to three days per week. Close to one-quarter of Toronto's nearly 44,000 employees work remotely or in hybrid arrangements, while the rest have front-line roles that require them to be on site, a spokesperson for the city said in a statement. Members of Ontario's public service have flooded social media with hundreds of posts sharing their unhappiness with the new mandate. Story continues below advertisement Many workers said they do not have front-line roles, and long commutes take away from work-life balance. Some also said there had previously been an understanding that remote work was the new normal. Workers also expressed concerns about where they would sit when offices are at full capacity, as well as added costs related to transit, child care and food. Public service union AMAPCEO is encouraging workers to sign a petition it published on Friday morning asking the provincial government to reconsider the decision. 'We've shown time and time again that the public's trust in us is warranted, and that we should be treated like the capable, trustworthy professionals that we are,' the petition reads, adding that working from home is better for worker morale, accessibility and reduced traffic congestion. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union alleged in a statement Thursday that an employee relations committee representing workers was given less than an hour's notice before the government's public announcement. OPSEU called the move a 'slap in the face' for workers.
Edmonton Journal
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
First Nations call for Ontario environment minister to resign for trying to stop clean water bill
Article content The province gave cabinet the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws through the creation of so-called 'special economic zones' that First Nations say ignore their treaty rights. The province intends to name the mineral-rich Ring of Fire in northern Ontario as the first such zone. Article content Debassige and several dozen First Nation chiefs met with Premier Doug Ford a few weeks ago to discuss Bill 5. Ford had said the day before that First Nations should stop coming to him 'hat in hand' if they don't get on board with Bill 5. Article content He then apologized to Debassige and those chiefs in a private meeting before repeating it at a news conference on live television. Article content Debassige and the chiefs accepted that apology and agreed to move forward with extensive consultations on the new law. Article content Debassige said Ford told them that day he was in full support of clean drinking water for all Ontario First Nations and was going to figure out a way to help. That issue is a federal one, though Ford hinted on radio recently the province might step up if the federal government does not. Article content Article content 'Everyone deserves fresh drinking water,' Ford said of First Nations on NewsTalk 1010. Article content Debassige still takes the premier's word and believes McCarthy had gone 'rogue.' Article content 'To hear directly from the premier that he is in full support and then have one of his ministers turn around and ask the prime minister of Canada to essentially decommit in introducing C-61 is a complete show of disrespect, a show of incompetence and he's a loose cannon in my view,' said Debassige. Article content Ontario passed the Clean Water Act in 2006, which ensures the protection of municipal drinking water systems. That came in response to the deadly E. coli outbreak in Walkerton, Ont., that killed seven people and made more than 2,000 people sick. Article content But that Ontario bill does not extend to First Nations in the province because of jurisdictional issues. Article content The federal clean water bill is part of a court-ordered settlement over a class-action lawsuit First Nations won against Ottawa over this very issue. Article content Article content Debassige helped draft that legislation, saying it was historic in many ways, including the fact the federal government worked with First Nations to write it. Article content 'The process we went through and we were able to negotiate was a testament to the government's commitment to reconciliation,' she said. Article content 'This is not reconciliation. I know the premier's office is very aware of our position and our response to these idiotic comments.' Article content The Ford government has been taking pains to assuage First Nations' concerns over Bill 5 in the last month, pledging extensive consultations and a say in how related regulations are drafted. Article content Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario has lived under a boil-water advisory for more than 30 years. The community says the water gives them lesions, eczema and a host of other skin issues if they shower or bathe in it. It leads to gastrointestinal issues if they drink from the taps and about half of the community has never lived at a time when the water was safe to drink.
