The 2012 Ontario budget passed its first vote on Tuesday, April 24.  Despite a few changes, it remains a budget that will increase poverty, kill jobs and hurt communities without fixing the economy. It includes cuts to almost every sector and puts the deficit ahead of the supports and services our communities need.

Multiple polls show that Ontarians are strongly in favour of raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy to preserve public services. On Tuesday, the budget passed first reading with a new 2% surtax on incomes of those making more than $500,000 a year. That will generate more than $400 million a year.

But the government did not respect the wishes of Ontarians.

Instead, the Liberals decided to use 100 percent of the new revenue on the deficit, and devote absolutely none to public services.

The budget process is not over. We now have a chance to propose changes.

But those changes will only happen if you keep up pressure on the government. The links on this page will help you do your part to protect Ontario's vital public services.

What the 2012 Ontario budget means for you

CUPE Members say why they went to the Day of Action