PC leader Doug Ford is getting some unexpected support from labour.
Four trade unions have come out in support of the Progressive Conservatives in recent days.
In acknowledging the support, Ford was asked about public sector workers and the wage restrictions they are currently under.
“When that lapses, I think the first ones in August, we’re going to sit down, and we’re going to treat them fairly. With the nurses, we gave them a 7.6% on the average increase in the $5000 bonus. I think the world of them. The PSWs, I’ve always said they’re underpaid, overworked,” says Ford.
Ford says he would also address the issue of paid sick days once the worse of the pandemic is behind us.
Photo courtesy Ontario Liberal Party/Facebook
Liberal leader Steven Del Duca wants to explore a four-day workweek if he forms the next provincial government.
Del Duca says he’s set up a demonstration project.
“To see how a four-day workweek might, in fact, do for workers and their families what they crave, what they want, which is the ability to, once again, have some kind of reasonable work-life balance,” says Del Duca.
Del Duca says he would also reinstate the Basic Income Pilot Project that Ford cancelled immediately after the 2018 election.
Supplied by Green Party of Ontario
Green Party leader Mike Schreiner is trying to build momentum for his party coming out of Monday’s leader’s debate.
Schreiner appealed to young voters during a campaign stop in Toronto.
“I want you to know that in the Ontario Green Party, you have a party that has your back. It is all about empowering youth to have a stronger political voice in this province,” says Schreiner.
Schreiner wants to lower the voting age to 16.
Photo courtesy Ontario NDP Party/Facebook
More school support staff if the NDP forms the next provincial government.
The NDP says it will earmark $4.8 billion over the next three years on school maintenance.
Leader Andrea Horwath says $467 million is directed toward staffing.
“We are going to hire an extra custodian for every single school. We are going to bring more maintenance people online in the schools to ensure that we keep up with the repairs,” says Horwath.
Horwath blames the Liberals and PCs for creating a $16.8 billion backlog in repairs to schools.
She also dismissed questions about her political future, saying she will never give up on fighting for people.
Recent polls have her party trailing the PCs and Liberals.
