Developmental Services
Developmental Service workers ... coming to a Liberal event near you
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July 9, 2007 Hundreds protested an Ontario Liberal
fundraiser July 6 to highlight McGuinty’s lack of leadership for people with
developmental disabilities.
OPSEU Executive Board Members (EBMs) and more than 100
developmental service workers and OPSEU activists shut down access to a big
Liberal fundraiser attended by Minister of Health and Long Term Care George
Smitherman and Minister of Colleges, Universities and Training Chris
Bentley. Those planning to attend the event were unable to find parking near
by until Smitherman and Bentley met with Region 1 EBMs Gino Franche, Ron
Elliot, and Region 1 local presidents. Activists at the event also included
EBMs Jay Jackson and Mike Grimaldi from Region 2, Bob Eaton from Region 4,
Mandy Dumais from Region 6; and Paul Johnstone from the Corrections MERC.
The same night, activists Beth Collier and Tammy Dill, and
Region 5 EBMs David Rapaport and Nancy Pridham, brought activists to greet the
guests of a $1000 a ticket cocktail party at Finance Minister Greg Sorbara's
home. Though the party wasn’t actually until July 7, that didn't stop David and
Nancy, who walked up to the front door, rang the bell and sat down in Mr.
Sorbara's living room to explain why his government needs to step up right now.
Earlier the same day in London: Minister of Children and Youth
Services Mary Anne Chambers, Bentley and Labour Minister Steve Peters held a
press conference at a local library to announce money for a youth job strategy
again they were greeted by OPSEU developmental service workers and friends.
On July 5, Minister Chambers held press conferences at a school
in Toronto and a school in Hamilton to reannounce funding for child-care spaces.
In Toronto she and reporters were greeted by Chris Moore, David Rapaport and
others.
Three hours later Owen Sound OPSEU activist Paul Johnstone
pulled together a crew to greet her and the Hamilton media, and make it clear to
Ms. Chambers that everywhere a Liberal cabinet minister makes an announcement,
OPSEU will be there to make sure everyone knows their government is not making
people with developmental disabilities a priority.
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