Windsor's labour community is giving the Doug Ford PC Government two thumbs for its first year in office.
A dozen people representing different sectors affected by Ontario government cuts spoke at an event on Friday.
Hosted by the Windsor and District Labour Council, it was aimed at explaining how the Ford cuts are impacting many local individuals.
One of the most powerful speakers was 13-year-old Josh Goldthorpe, a Grade 7 student who is living with autism.
He says he's been able to succeed at school because of the assistance of front-line staff and wants to fight to make sure other kids can as well.
"I attended many other centres when I was little; especially ones that helped get my life better. Then I said hmmm, if I can make myself better why don't I make other people better so everyone can have a chance. Everyone deserves a chance, right?" he says.
Grade 7 student Josh Goldthorpe and his mother Janice Hunter-Dejarlais at the Unifor Local 444 - 200 Hall in Windsor, June 7, 2019. (Photo by AM800's Peter Langille)
His mother, Janice Hunter-Desjarlais says, the current system works and she's worried about what will happen when it’s dismantled.
"It brings me to tears looking at how wonderful he's come and progressed," she says. "And I don't attribute it just to my work. It's the work of the frontline staff I've seen at the boards and the learning development team that is at the board.”
Labour Council President Brian Hogan understands the financial situation the government is in, but says it's about choices.
"Why are you tearing up hundreds of contracts, green contracts?" Hogan says. "Those green contracts were going to do retrofits at schools and essentially those contracts were going to pay for themselves. If you think you have such a problem with your costs why are you tearing up a contract with the Beer Store that's going to cost you $1-billion."
People representing other sectors such as the environment, healthcare, the LCBO and injured workers were also on hand and explained how the Ford government cuts have negatively impacted them.
Windsor's labour community is giving the Doug Ford PC Government two thumbs for its first year in office.
A dozen people representing different sectors affected by Ontario government cuts spoke at an event on Friday.
Hosted by the Windsor and District Labour Council, it was aimed at explaining how the Ford cuts are impacting many local individuals.
One of the most powerful speakers was 13-year-old Josh Goldthorpe, a Grade 7 student who is living with autism.
He says he's been able to succeed at school because of the assistance of front-line staff and wants to fight to make sure other kids can as well.
"I attended many other centres when I was little; especially ones that helped get my life better. Then I said hmmm, if I can make myself better why don't I make other people better so everyone can have a chance. Everyone deserves a chance, right?" he says.
His mother, Janice Hunter-Desjarlais says, the current system works and she's worried about what will happen when it’s dismantled.
"It brings me to tears looking at how wonderful he's come and progressed," she says. "And I don't attribute it just to my work. It's the work of the frontline staff I've seen at the boards and the learning development team that is at the board.”
Labour Council President Brian Hogan understands the financial situation the government is in, but says it's about choices.
"Why are you tearing up hundreds of contracts, green contracts?" Hogan says. "Those green contracts were going to do retrofits at schools and essentially those contracts were going to pay for themselves. If you think you have such a problem with your costs why are you tearing up a contract with the Beer Store that's going to cost you $1-billion."
People representing other sectors such as the environment, healthcare, the LCBO and injured workers were also on hand and explained how the Ford government cuts have negatively impacted them.