Media Advisory: OFL President Sid Ryan Available for Comment Following Release of Ontario Budget

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 2, 2013) - Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), will be available for comment immediately following the release of the 2013 Ontario Budget to discuss its impact on working people across the province.

This spring, the OFL launched a People's Budget campaign that travelled to nine communities and received over 100 submissions online and in person from organizations and individuals about how to make Ontario fairer for everyone.
Among the 28 specific recommendations contained in the People's Budget that touch on issues ranging from education, housing, the environment, health care, agriculture, and newcomer settlement, are three priority proposals:

1. Increase the minimum wage and put in place a formula for determining regular future increases;
2. Establish an infrastructure fund to be used for the expansion of public transit, rebuilding aging infrastructure, and supporting green initiatives; and
3. Implement a fair taxation package that will include a range of tools to generate revenue.

Download the full submission to government at: www.ThePeoplesBudget.ca.

"The parties in our minority legislature have an opportunity to set aside politics and set about addressing the real challenges facing the people of this province by injecting some hope, honesty, and fairness into the next budget," said Ryan. "Ontarians are frustrated with a failed austerity agenda that is proving as fiscally irresponsible as it is socially unjust. It is time for a People's Budget."

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