ADVISORY: Mississauga Town Hall Exposes Local Impact of Government Cuts to Services and Democratic Rights

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 30, 2013) - Outraged at the Ontario Liberal government's deep cuts to social programs and the recent attack on the democratic rights of education workers, Mississauga community members will be gathering on Thursday, January 31 for a public town hall meeting. The forum will provide an opportunity for local residents to discuss the impact of job loss and public service cuts in their communities and develop plans to pressure local members of parliament.

The meeting will address local concern about the fact that almost 16 percent of Mississauga's population are struggling on low incomes and one in five children are living in poverty. The unemployment rate in Mississauga continues to be slightly higher than the provincial average, with 6.5 percent of the population looking for work. However, the impact of cuts is being felt across most income levels. A recent report from the Ontario Common Front revealed that fully 40 percent of Ontario families have seen their incomes stagnate or fall over the last decade, as Ontario's social program funding lags behind every other province by nearly every measure.

"In communities across the province, families are falling further behind because of Liberal Government's cuts to vital services and social programs, while corporate tax cuts continue to starve Ontario's economy of $15 billion annually," said OFL Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Hutchison. "Struggling families here in Mississauga are right to demand fairness and equity from the Ontario's new Premier, Kathleen Wynne. Investing in jobs, protecting services and safeguarding workers' democratic rights is the only way to prevent a double-dip recession and address rising inequality."

"An unacceptable number of families are living in poverty and falling through the cracks of our economy because of government cut backs," said Brampton-Mississauga and District Labour Council President Motilall "Sarj" Sarjoo. "In the meantime, the private sector is sitting on an abundance of cash and not investing in the province to create more jobs."

The Mississauga town hall is one in a series of regional meetings taking place across Ontario: "Labour and community groups have come together to launch an Ontario Common Front against cuts to jobs and services. We are building partnerships in every community - from Windsor to Mississauga to Thunder Bay," said Hutchison. "It is time for the people to start setting the agenda."

For more information, visit: www.ofl.ca/index.php/campaigns/democraticrights.

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. Visit www.OFL.ca and follow the OFL on Facebook and Twitter: @OFLabour and SidRyan_OFL.