National Union of Public and General Employees
15 Auriga Dr. K2E 1B7 Ottawa, ON, Canada

The Canadian government can still change its mind. The final vote is coming at some point in December. Sign this petition to call on the federal government to support an equitable and just global effort to fight COVID-19. #NoCovidMonopolies https://www.change.org/p/justin-trudeau-canada-should-join-

"The demands on sheltersin terms of capacity and in dealing with more severe cases of abusehave only increased as the pandemic continues. Lise Martin, Executive Director of Women's Shelters Canada https://nupge.ca//womens-shelters-canada-releases-shelter-

As we remember and mourn the tragic events of December 6, 1989, it is an important reminder that gender-based violence is not something that exists solely in the past. https://nupge.ca/content/Dec6_2020

Webinar Alert: Dear Friends and Allies, It has been a long year but we're excited to come together one more time for the 2020 finale of our RISING TOGETHER - Women for a Just Economy webinar series.... Sign up now to join us on Monday 7 December at 7 pm EST - for our webinar called NOW WE RISE! REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/129322189149 Monday is the 50th anniversary of the release of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women report. And yet, not so much has changed. Let's use this occasion to demand real intersectional change that leaves no one behind. We are thrilled to have three generations of powerful women leaders on Monday's panel: * Activist & writer Judy Rebick * Canadian Labour Congress Secretary Treasurer Marie Clarke Walker * Anishinabek Nation - Chief Water Commissioner Autumn Peltier We will also share the broad points of consensus that have emerged through the presentations and discussions during the webinar series. We hope this finale will be a big event to recognize all the hard work that all of you across your various movements have been doing throughout the year and to give us energy as we move into 2021. Please share the registration page with your members, friends and allies: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/129322189149. We look forward to seeing you online!

Thanks to Darryl for his outstanding activism on disability issues. Congratulations on this well deserved award!

The Applicants in the case, 7 young people, are arguing that the Ford government’s climate policy, which weakened Ontario’s climate targets in 2018, violates their Charter-protected rights to life, liberty, and security of the person. https://nupge.ca/con/initial-victory-youth-led-climate-case

The model for funding health care used in Lombardy for-profit companies competing with public health care providers for public funds is one that has been suggested in Canada. https://nupge.ca//health-care-privatization-linked-severit

Check out these new poll results on child care. No surprises here! https://nupge.ca/content/affordable-child-care-canada-poll

With public opinion echoing what we’ve long heard from experts, advocates, and the child care sector on the undeniable benefits of a national child care system, it begs the question: What is the federal government waiting for? - Larry Brown, NUPGE President

"I had a health-care aide on Saturday night, call me. I’d been back and forth with someone else, because, of course, this doesn’t stop at 11 o’clock at night. This goes through the night when people are working." The health-care aide called Gawronsky on their break at Fairview. They told Gawronsky all they had as PPE was a procedure mask, a set of goggles and gloves. They said they weren’t protected like the paramedics who were deployed to the facility. "And (they) said, ‘Mic...helle, I can’t go home. I’m not protected enough. I’m not protecting my family.’ And (they) just burst into tears. I said, ‘Where are you going to go?’" https://www.brandonsun.com//people-are-terrified-just-terr?

A Canada-wide child care program would also create greater equality, boost regional and rural economic development, and bring long-term health and well-being benefits for future generations. https://nupge.ca//new-report-canada-wide-child-care-system

"Canada once had a publicly owned pharmaceutical company that could have made a difference in the current coronavirus crisis except that we sold it." https://www.thestar.com//the-public-lab-that-could-have-he

We are witnessing a pandemic within a pandemic. Physical and social isolation, economic stress, and the overall uncertainty resulting from COVID-19 have created a perfect storm for the increased risk of domestic violence. What's worse, the lockdowns may make it harder for people experiencing violence to seek help. Larry Brown, NUPGE President https://nupge.ca//international-day-elimination-violence-a

We must continue to show that we stand in solidarity with the transgender community and make sure that these murders do not go unnoticed. We grieve for every person lost. Larry Brown, NUPGE President #TransDayOfRemembrance #TDoR https://nupge.ca/content/transgender-day-remembrance-2020

For anyone who believes in reducing income inequality, asking the very wealthy to pay a bit more in tax to help fund programs that will help people who are struggling should be a no brainer. When a political party votes against measures as basic as a wealth tax or an excess profits tax, it suggests that party does not take the problem of income inequality seriously. https://nupge.ca//parliament-passes-opportunity-make-tax-s

NUPGE is reiterating its call on the federal government for a national child care system that is universally accessible and publicly funded. https://nupge.ca//national-child-care-system-must-be-unive

The young activists taking the Ford government to court over its climate policy have won an initial victory in their case. With the Ontario court ruling against the government’s attempt to have the case dismissed, this landmark case will proceed to trial. https://nupge.ca/con/initial-victory-youth-led-climate-case

I encourage you to share this letter with your colleagues, friends and loved ones. It’s up to us to keep the pressure on the Kenney government to do the right thing and join us in protecting Albertans during this pandemic. Mike Parker, HSAA - Health Sciences Association of Alberta President

It’s clear that during the pandemic, this government has come to recognize the true value of strong public services. Front-line workers are indeed heroes. Warren (Smokey) Thomas, Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) President https://nupge.ca//ontario-budget-acknowledges-public-servi

"This pandemic has changed the way people look at those who work on the front-lines. Community service workers are now getting some of the recognition and respect they should have been receiving all along. And we should appreciate the work they do every day. But on top of that, what is really needed, what will really change lives is adequate, stable, and targeted funding for these services." Larry Brown, NUPGE President