Latest news with #PrivateMembers'Bill
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Workers Demand Protection from Extreme Heat – OFL Urges Government to Act
TORONTO, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As another sweltering Ontario summer approaches, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), frontline workers, and Ontario NDP MPPs gathered at Queen's Park to demand immediate passage of the Heat Stress Act, a Private Members' Bill that would establish enforceable heat protection standards for workers. The bill is tabled by MPP Peter Tabuns and co-sponsored by ONDP MPPs Jamie West, Lise Vaugeois, and Chandra Pasma. 'We're here today to endorse the tabling of the Heat Stress Act because it does what this government won't, it protects workers,' said OFL President Laura Walton. 'This is about basic safety. No one should be forced to choose between their health and a paycheque.' Launched in May 2024, the OFL's Heat Is On campaign has highlighted the surge in heat-related illness and unsafe working conditions. Today, over 1,000 signed petitions from workers across the province were delivered to Queen's Park demanding urgent action. 'We're back at Queen's Park because the government hasn't done its job,' Walton said. 'We've brought petitions. We've brought science. We've brought stories from frontline workers and still, they refuse to act. But workers aren't backing down.' Edie Mariconda, President of Toronto Civic Employees Union Local 416 emphasized the urgent need: 'Access to water and rest shouldn't be a luxury. Our workers are lifting heavy bins in extreme heat for hours, often with no shade and no cooling. Paramedics face surging call volumes and wear heavy PPE with no time to recover. The risks are real, and without enforceable standards, they're unprotected.' 'Working in extreme heat shouldn't be a death sentence,' said Tabuns. 'Climate change is already here, and workers across the province are feeling the impact. It's time for the government to stop dragging its feet and put real protections in place.' The Heat Stress Act would set enforceable standards and guarantee the right to safe working conditions during extreme heat. 'Extreme heat is here and it's only getting worse,' Walton added. 'If this government truly wants to 'protect Ontario', it needs to start by protecting the people who make it run.' Media Contact:Jenny SellathuraiDirector of Communications, Ontario Federation of Labourjsellathurai@ | 416-894-3456 cj/COPE343Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
OFL: Ontario Workers Call on Ford Government to Pass Heat Protection Legislation as Summer Approaches
TORONTO, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Ontario braces for another summer of extreme heat, workers and labour leaders are calling on the Ford government to take immediate action to protect workers from the deadly impacts of heat stress in the workplace. On Thursday, May 29, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), alongside Ontario NDP MPP Peter Tabuns and frontline workers, will hold a press conference at Queen's Park to demand immediate implementation of the Heat Stress Act, a Private Members' Bill that would establish enforceable heat protection standards for workers across Ontario. The bill is co-sponsored by MPP Peter Tabuns (ONDP Critic for Climate Action), MPP Jamie West (ONDP Labour Critic), MPP Lise Vaugeois (ONDP Critic for WSIB and Injured Workers), and MPP Chandra Pasma (ONDP Education Critic). The OFL launched the Heat Is On campaign in May 2024 to highlight the growing dangers of extreme heat in Ontario workplaces. Despite mounting evidence and widespread support from Ontarians, the Ford government has failed to act. WHEN: Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. WHERE: Queen's Park – Media Studio111 Wellesley St W, Toronto, ON M7A 1A2 SPEAKERS: Laura Walton, President, Ontario Federation of Labour Peter Tabuns, Ontario NDP MPP, Official Opposition Critic for Climate Action Domenic Maugeri, Toronto Civic Employees Union, CUPE 416 Also attending the press conference will be MPPs Vaugeois and Pasma, underscoring strong support from the Ontario NDP Caucus. Media are strongly encouraged to attend. Interview opportunities will be available following the press conference. Media Contact: Jenny SellathuraiDirector of CommunicationsOntario Federation of Labourjsellathurai@ | 416-894-3456 cj/COPE343Sign in to access your portfolio
The Journal
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Cabinet to hear update on government's plans to bring RTÉ finances under C&AG scrutiny
CABINET WILL TODAY be updated on the government's plans to bring RTÉ's finances under the remit of the state auditor. The update comes ahead of a Sinn Féin Private Members' Bill, due to be reintroduced this week, to bring RTÉ under the control of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG). Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan will outline to ministers that in the government's view, the Sinn Féin bill doesn't go as far as the government's proposed legislation, and therefore the Private Members' Bill will be opposed. O'Donovan will tell Cabinet that the policy objective of the Bill is already being addressed by government through the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, the revision of which was approved on 8 April and which is now with the relevant Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny. Former Minister Catherine Martin first introduced the government legislation last year. The C&AG currently audits the finances of almost 300 public bodies, excluding local authorities and commercial semi-State bodies like RTÉ. Advertisement During the protracted crisis surrounding RTÉ governance, following the Ryan Tubridy payment scandal, then chairperson of the RTÉ board Siún Ní Raghallaigh recommended that RTÉ should be audited by the C&AG. However, legislative change was required to expand its remit. Minister Patrick O'Donovan Department of Tourism and Media Department of Tourism and Media O'Donovan will tell ministers that the Sinn Féin proposal differs from the approach by government in two substantive ways, insofar as it does not provide for the accountability of the Director General of RTÉ to the Public Accounts Committee for RTÉ's financial statements or value-for-money matters and it does not allow the RTÉ Board the discretion to appoint a regulated private sector auditor in addition to the C&AG. The Cabinet update comes after RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst met with chairman of the media committee, Alan Kelly, as well as chair of the Public Accounts Committee, John Brady last week. Bakhurst described the meeting with Kelly as 'constructive', with the meeting understood to have centred around the restructuring programme and a range of legacy issues in the organisation, as well as the €3.6 million partly failed IT project. It is understood that RTÉ will be invited before both committees before the Dáil summer recess. Education In addition, Cabinet will also hear from Education Minister Helen McEntee who will outline the new DEIS Plan to address educational disadvantage across all schools. Related Reads RTÉ to receive €725m over three years as part of new 'multi-annual' funding model Government to ramp up financial scrutiny of RTÉ, with C&AG to act as auditor Powerful Oireachtas committee says RTÉ should be brought under the remit of the State's auditor The new DEIS Plan will focus on improving the opportunities for children at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools, working towards a system where a school can receive the right supports they need at the right time to support the children most in need in the school at that time. It will look at addressing retention for the Leaving Certificate and improving progression rates into further and higher education. It will also place a major focus on school attendance and tackling the rate of absenteeism in both DEIS and non-DEIS schools, something the minister has spoken about this week. 'The Year of the Normans' Normans and Crusaders at a 12th Century historical reenactment. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Meanwhile the Housing Minister James Browne will seek approval for cross-government involvement with '2027 – The Year of the Normans – People of Europe'. It is understood the Normandy Regional Council has invited European countries and regions sharing Norman history and heritage, such as Britain, Channel Islands, Southern Italy, Norway, Denmark and Ireland to take part. Apparently, Ireland's participation backs up the Programme for Government commitment to build links and understanding with other EU capitals and regions in, education, research and innovation. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Cabinet to be updated on plans to bring RTÉ under closer scrutiny
The Cabinet will be updated on Tuesday regarding plans to bring RTÉ under closer scrutiny as the Government prepares to shut down alternative Sinn Féin legislation on the matter. Minister for Media Patrick O'Donovan is expected to tell Cabinet colleagues that his plan goes further than the Sinn Féin alternative, which has been initiated as a Private Members' Bill by its media spokesman, Aengus Ó Snodaigh . The Sinn Féin Bill would assign the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) as auditor of RTÉ and is due for second stage debate later this week. Mr O'Donovan says the C&AG will also be installed as auditor of RTÉ by the Government Bill and that the policy objective contained in the Sinn Féin proposal is already being addressed through draft laws produced by his department and which have been sent for pre-legislative scrutiny. READ MORE The Limerick county TD claims there are two substantive differences, arguing that the Sinn Féin Bill doesn't provide for the director general of RTÉ to be accountable to the Public Accounts Committee when it comes to the broadcaster's financial statements or value-for-money matters. It also doesn't allow the RTÉ board the discretion to appoint a regulated private sector auditor in addition to the C&AG, Mr O'Donovan says. Elsewhere, Minister for Education Helen McEntee will tell Cabinet that she plans to publish a new Deis plan later this year, addressing educational disadvantage across schools. She will update Ministers on the Deis-plus plan, which will target schools with the highest level of educational disadvantage, with plans to establish a new advisory group populated by representatives who work with children from areas of high intergenerational disadvantage. 'The people who voted no are expected to go under a rock and disappear' – Ronán Mullen on losing the marriage referendum Listen | 35:17 Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless will update colleagues on progress with Path (Programme for Access to Higher Education) schemes aimed at widening access to third-level education. There are 173 students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in 11 universities and other higher education institutions. There are also now almost 15 per cent of new entrants to third level who have a disability and are being supported through a national access plan, new figures show. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke will update Cabinet on the establishment of a small business unit within his department. The intention is that the unit safeguard the needs and issues of small business across Government with an emphasis placed on them in the department. Mr Burke had asked officials to prioritise the work of setting up the unit early in the lifetime of the new Government and it has now been established. It will focus initially on the Coalition's new 'SME test', designed to check the impact of legislation and regulation on smaller firms, the work of the National Enterprise Hub and Local Enterprise Offices, and wider work on simplification and burden reduction. Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary is to update Cabinet on recruitment for the 'My Future Fund' organisation, which will manage the auto-enrolment scheme due to go live next year. The recruitment of a board, chief executive and accountant for the body is under way, with the head of the organisation expected to earn in the region of €214,000 annually. He will also bring an update on the procurement competition to source investment management providers for the scheme.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
In the name of progress: eugenics then, euthanasia now
Progress may be the most dangerous two-syllable word in politics. Slapped on to all sorts of monstrosities it has become a means of justifying inadequate arguments and evading scrutiny. To the unthinking politician, if an issue constitutes progress it is inevitably part of a wider move towards enlightenment, is an inherently good step and, crucially, must happen sooner or later. The belief means identifying barriers to progress; and, by extension, viewing their removal as a social good. This isn't a modern outlier or bug but a longstanding feature of progressive thought. It was in the name of progress that the Fabian and socialist eugenicists – from Beatrice and Sidney Webb to Bertrand Russell and Marie Stopes – advocated the sterilisation of the disabled and sick during the 20th century. It was in the name of progress that George Bernard Shaw supported 'the socialisation of the selective breeding of man', even, chillingly, proposing the euthanasia of the mentally ill and other members of the 'unfit' classes via 'extensive use of the lethal chamber'. In short; a very dangerous word indeed. This isn't just a history lesson either; the groups these people supported still exist. Dignity in Dying, the main advocacy group for assisted dying, was founded by a member of the Eugenics Society and was known until 2006 as The Voluntary Euthanasia Society. In our own day, the same concept is being invoked once more as a sort of unanswerable force. The debate over assisted suicide is intensifying on both sides of the Border this week, as Kim Leadbeater's Private Members' Bill returns to Parliament and Holyrood MSPs voted in favour of a similar Bill proposed by Lib Dem Liam McArthur. In her efforts to champion her Bill on social media, the former is emerging as someone with Van Gogh's ear for diplomacy; both tactless and self-aggrandising. This week she dismissed opponents as 'scaremongering and ideological', while quoting praise of herself from a supporter, describing her as a 'social reformer'. At least irony hasn't been assisted with its death. The inconvenient truth is that, in this case progress involves the sidelining and rejection of the very people whose needs it claims to advance. The Royal College of Physicians recently published a statement warning that the Bill's 'deficiencies' render it unsafe for patients and doctors. Was this 'scaremongering'? Every user-led disability group opposes the change, as do a majority of palliative care professionals. Are they 'ideologues' too? If Leadbeater is foolish and groups like Dignity in Dying malign, there is a third and more complacent category of argument invoking the consistently-disproven concept of 'the right side of history'. It is telling that despite supporting assisted suicide in principle, former Scots Tory Leader Ruth Davidson couldn't quite endorse the parallel Bill before Holyrood in its current form. Instead, in a column this week, she urges MSPs simply to trust that they will be able to iron out any problems at a later date. She also cites the number of countries around the world offering assisted suicide as if this, in itself, constituted an argument. What many of these jurisdictions actually show is quite the opposite to Davidson's Panglossian faith that everything will work itself out. A particularly invidious aspect of this debate has been the manipulation of language. Not only is there a tendency to imply, per Leadbeater, that the pro-side has a monopoly on compassion, relatives' understandable efforts to prevent their loved ones from taking their own lives have sometimes been reframed as 'coercion'. During the 'expert' witness testimony, one Australian MP referred to 'assisted dying' in exquisitely Orwellian fashion, as a form of 'suicide prevention'. There has even been some squeamishness about using the word 'suicide' at all, though the Bill would by definition amend the 1961 Suicide Act. It's as if they fear this serious change to the social fabric will be impossible without annexing language to limit what their opponents may say. And now, showing tragedy and farce are far closer than we think, Kim Leadbeater is apparently a 'social reformer'. Parliament's own impact assessment also reveals this tendency. It was slipped out under the radar on Friday afternoon after the local elections. This too contained the dystopian language we've come to expect from the debate; focusing on the service's 'inclusivity'; perhaps to give women, disabled and vulnerable people equal access to death. The Bill already covers a far wider remit than its proponents initially promised. The irony is that Leadbeater and her allies no doubt think of themselves and their actions as progressive. Yet each of them is simultaneously engaged in the business of ignoring the voices of the poor and the vulnerable. This Bill is so comprehensively at odds with the principles of previous social reform that enacting it will mean rewriting the Bill on which the National Health Service was forged. The legislation is so far-sweeping that the Bill's proponents may become the first people to undo the basic healthcare principle that life should be preserved. This is worth restating for all the 'sensibles' out there; it wasn't Mrs Thatcher or 'Tory privatisation', but a Labour backbencher who will fundamentally change the stated purpose of the NHS – and in a final irony, will do so not in the name of profit but of progress. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
