The January 17th budget vote, which rejected numerous budget cuts, is the clearest indication yet that when people come together, they can make a positive difference.

Fred Hahn, President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario, was at Toronto City Hall for yesterday's vote, which saw $20 million in funding restored to transit, child care, swimming pools, shelters, environmental programs and other services. Mayor Ford opposed sparing these services from the axe and lost almost every vote yesterday.

Just the week before, the Mayor's Executive Committee was also forced to restore $8.4 million in funding to areas including community centres, libraries, and arts and culture programs in an effort to build support for the proposed budget.

Hundreds of CUPE members attended the CUPE Ontario Keep Toronto Public members meeting the day before the vote.  From this meeting we formed an action plan to support City of Toronto workers in their efforts to preserve public services and build a better Toronto. CUPE Ontario members from school boards, hospitals, universities and social services launched that campaign one day later, leafleting the public on the budget debate and the fight to preserve public services and good jobs at Subway stops across the city.

CUPE has also released an Environics poll showing that 84% of Torontonians want Council to maintain or increase funding for public services and programs, and that support for Ford's agenda has decreased sharply in recent months. Click Here to view the poll results.

Click to learn about some of the cuts

       
       
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