The Sudbury and District Labour Council held its annual Labour Day celebration at the Morel Family Foundation Park on Second Avenue. The festivities featured a solidarity march, games, entertainment, food vendors and information booths. The day began with an inclusive sensory-friendly pre-event. Below, Jessica Montgomery, president of the Sudbury and District Labour Council, takes time to answer 10 questions from The Star related to labour issues.
Q: What does the labour council do?
A: We have a long and proud history of fighting for the rights of all working people. We hold monthly meetings with delegates from the various unions/locals who are affiliated with us. We also provide a link to community organizations and run campaigns, such as Tampon Tuesday, to support agencies in Sudbury. Workers in unions are an important part of the local community and economy because that’s where they spend their paycheques.
Q: Why is there still a need, in 2022, to advocate for workers?
A: Fighting for workers rights today is as important, if not more so, than it’s ever been. Workers took a hard hit during the pandemic, especially front-line workers. Inflation is rising faster than wages. Occupational health and safety protections took second place or became almost non-existent in workplaces over the last couple of years. Violence and harassment are increasing in many workplaces, especially those in the public sector, including health care and education. We work hard to support those workers fighting for a living wage, and healthier and safer workplaces.
Q: Can you talk about the current labour landscape in Northern Ontario?
A: Bill 124 has had a great impact on those in Northern Ontario. Food prices are going up, and more so for those in northern Ontario because of the further distances to transport. Regarding long-term care, the government is passing a bill that may force seniors to go to a facility hundreds of kilometres away from their homes and families.
Q: How is it changing?
A: We’re transitioning from resource extraction jobs to more service-based jobs, most of which only pay minimum wage.
Q: Which sectors/fields will be the most popular moving forward? For those contemplating post-secondary education, where do you advise they put their focus?
A: – Tech jobs that build and feed the green economy.
– Programs that support the above-mentioned industries.
– Get Laurentian University to reinstate its labour studies program.
Q: Your bio indicates you specialize in occupational stress injuries and mental health. Can you talk about the role mental wellness plays in the professional environment?
A: Mental health in the workplace is a prevalent topic of discussion. Employers supporting their employees’ mental health has shifted from ‘doing the nice thing’ to a requirement under the Ontario Human Rights Code and The Duty to Accommodate. Creating workplace wellness programs is not only being proactive but it also creates a thriving and productive environment. Mental health, along with our physical health, is an essential component to an individual’s overall health. Workplace wellness needs to be a priority in all workplaces, whether they are unionized or not. We know that when a workplace is unsafe, stressful or unhealthy that both the employer and employee are impacted, and that everyone benefits from healthy workplace.
Q: How should employers respond to the need to promote mental health and wellness at work?
A: There is a legislated requirement for employers to protect the mental and physical health of their employees. The best way to achieve a healthy and safe workplace is to create and implement a comprehensive workplace health and safety program that includes and promotes mental health and wellness. Employers can also offer employee assistance programs. Employers can offer educational components about recognizing the signs and symptoms of stress and depression in themselves and team members.
Q: What did COVID teach us about the nature of work? What are the major take-aways from the pandemic?
A: Working from home – you can be just as, or even more, productive working at home. Because people aren’t travelling, there’s a gentler impact on the environment, and with workers commuting less, they are able to spend more quality time at home rather than commuting.
The government continues to put the needs of the corporate class ahead of those of workers Had employers followed the SARS recommendations, there wouldn’t have been anywhere near as many outbreaks and deaths as we’ve experienced.
Q: What are the most pressing issues that still need to be addressed in Canada?
A: Jobs, economy and the environment.
– Better pay and benefits.
– Workplace health and safety.
– Trade and international affairs.
– Retirement security.
– Social justice and democracy.
– Gender equality.
– Ending discrimination.
Q: Why is it important to celebrate Labour Day?
A: Labour Day is a day to celebrate the accomplishments of the labour movement and the benefits of having a union at work. Along with unionized workers, we invite all members of the community, including community advocacy groups, to join in our event. It gives all an opportunity to bring their families to a fun-filled day while the weather is still nice and before children go back to school.
OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, rose 0.4 per cent to $82.7 billion in July.
The increase came as sales in the miscellaneous subsector gained three per cent to reach $10.5 billion in July, helped by strength in the agriculture supplies industry group, which rose 9.2 per cent.
The food, beverage and tobacco subsector added 1.7 per cent to total $15 billion in July.
The personal and household goods subsector fell 2.5 per cent to $12.1 billion.
In volume terms, overall wholesale sales rose 0.5 per cent in July.
Statistics Canada started including oilseed and grain as well as the petroleum and petroleum products subsector as part of wholesale trade last year, but is excluding the data from monthly analysis until there is enough historical data.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
VICTORIA – British Columbia is forecasting a record budget deficit and a rising debt of almost $129 billion less than two weeks before the start of a provincial election campaign where economic stability and future progress are expected to be major issues.
Finance Minister Katrine Conroy, who has announced her retirement and will not seek re-election in the Oct. 19 vote, said Tuesday her final budget update as minister predicts a deficit of $8.9 billion, up $1.1 billion from a forecast she made earlier this year.
Conroy said she acknowledges “challenges” facing B.C., including three consecutive deficit budgets, but expected improved economic growth where the province will start to “turn a corner.”
The $8.9 billion deficit forecast for 2024-2025 is followed by annual deficit projections of $6.7 billion and $6.1 billion in 2026-2027, Conroy said at a news conference outlining the government’s first quarterly financial update.
Conroy said lower corporate income tax and natural resource revenues and the increased cost of fighting wildfires have had some of the largest impacts on the budget.
“I want to acknowledge the economic uncertainties,” she said. “While global inflation is showing signs of easing and we’ve seen cuts to the Bank of Canada interest rates, we know that the challenges are not over.”
Conroy said wildfire response costs are expected to total $886 million this year, more than $650 million higher than originally forecast.
Corporate income tax revenue is forecast to be $638 million lower as a result of federal government updates and natural resource revenues are down $299 million due to lower prices for natural gas, lumber and electricity, she said.
Debt-servicing costs are also forecast to be $344 million higher due to the larger debt balance, the current interest rate and accelerated borrowing to ensure services and capital projects are maintained through the province’s election period, said Conroy.
B.C.’s economic growth is expected to strengthen over the next three years, but the timing of a return to a balanced budget will fall to another minister, said Conroy, who was addressing what likely would be her last news conference as Minister of Finance.
The election is expected to be called on Sept. 21, with the vote set for Oct. 19.
“While we are a strong province, people are facing challenges,” she said. “We have never shied away from taking those challenges head on, because we want to keep British Columbians secure and help them build good lives now and for the long term. With the investments we’re making and the actions we’re taking to support people and build a stronger economy, we’ve started to turn a corner.”
Premier David Eby said before the fiscal forecast was released Tuesday that the New Democrat government remains committed to providing services and supports for people in British Columbia and cuts are not on his agenda.
Eby said people have been hurt by high interest costs and the province is facing budget pressures connected to low resource prices, high wildfire costs and struggling global economies.
The premier said that now is not the time to reduce supports and services for people.
Last month’s year-end report for the 2023-2024 budget saw the province post a budget deficit of $5.035 billion, down from the previous forecast of $5.9 billion.
Eby said he expects government financial priorities to become a major issue during the upcoming election, with the NDP pledging to continue to fund services and the B.C. Conservatives looking to make cuts.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2024.
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said the debt would be going up to more than $129 billion. In fact, it will be almost $129 billion.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
NANAIMO, B.C. – Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney says he’ll be advising the Liberal party to flip some the challenges posed by an increasingly divided and dangerous world into an economic opportunity for Canada.
But he won’t say what his specific advice will be on economic issues that are politically divisive in Canada, like the carbon tax.
He presented his vision for the Liberals’ economic policy at the party’s caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C. today, after he agreed to help the party prepare for the next election as chair of a Liberal task force on economic growth.
Carney has been touted as a possible leadership contender to replace Justin Trudeau, who has said he has tried to coax Carney into politics for years.
Carney says if the prime minister asks him to do something he will do it to the best of his ability, but won’t elaborate on whether the new adviser role could lead to him adding his name to a ballot in the next election.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says she has been taking advice from Carney for years, and that his new position won’t infringe on her role.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Dolphins will bring in another quarterback, while Tagovailoa deals with concussion
David Beckham among soccer dignitaries attending ex-England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral
Vancouver Whitecaps cautious of lowly San Jose Earthquakes
Alberta town adopts new resident code of conduct to address staff safety
Canada’s Marina Stakusic advances to quarterfinals at Guadalajara Open
David Lipsky shoots 65 to take 1st-round lead at Silverado in FedEx Cup Fall opener
Alouettes receiver Philpot announces he’ll be out for the rest of season
Unifor says workers at Walmart warehouse in Mississauga, Ont., vote to join union
