Protest Ford Followup

Voices were heard across Ontario ... change is needed!

I attended the Fight Ford protest this afternoon in London. These were happening all across the province today from Hamilton where there were 400 people participating to 25 people in Wallaceburg to over 100 in Elmira to 400 in St. Catharines to 60 in the town of Stayner. It doesn’t really matter how many people showed up … what matters is that people from one end of Ontario to the other stood together in solidarity to say that what Doug Ford has done in his government can not continue. We all are affected and we all have a responsibility to speak up and say enough is enough.

Here is one image I saw on line of all the things he has done …

All of these individually, and collectively together are changing the face of Ontario in a way that brings us down and causes hardship for so many. And it’s not just one demographic; it affects seniors, children, young people, students, those in teaching and health care professions, those suffering from mental health, those of us who enjoy walking through the designated green spaces. And, it affects those who already live with living on the margins, the poor, the unemployed, those on Ontario Works and ODSP. Changes in OSAP make it unimaginable for some young people to consider going on to further education. As Doug Ford himself said, basket weaving courses won’t be supported by his government because graduates don’t lead anywhere. And add to that the children in our schools which are underfunded and overcrowded. Something has to be done and it starts with you and I, and all of together speaking up.

Here are a couple of the speeches that were made at the London protest. First, on the state of health care …

And the speech made about the state of education …

The overarching message was a call to be involved in any way we can and to be aware that we can make a difference by speaking up together in solidarity. We don’t want our health care to become like that which is happening in Alberta. We can’t be complacent and think it won’t happen here in Ontario because it’s already started with Ford’s privatization funded out of public money.

I encourage all of us to do what we can and not be drawn into what we think we can’t do. Join in a protest in your area because there will be more. It won’t be just about changing a government and who leads us, it’s about changing a mind set that has developed that is leaning further and further to an American model of politics, health care, education and social assistance. We can’t just complain that we don’t like what’s happening; we need to do something.

So, please get involved for your own sake; for the sake of your neighbours; for the sake of your community; for the sake of your children and grandchildren; for the sake of all Ontarians. Things don’t have to stay as they are; the future can be different. Speak up and speak loudly and speak confidently. We will be heard!!