Tackling Tariffs

Solidarity with Migrant Workers

Migrant workers are members of our communities and play a role in keeping the services we use running. Recent changes to Bill C-12 could affect the livelihoods of thousands of workers and their families. In this episode of CUPE Cast, Brianna and Krista interview Jaela and fellow co-host Katherine, who share their experiences participating in the International Migrants Alliance’s Canada Labour Tour to the Philippines and highlight some of the challenges Filipino workers face in the Philippines and in Canada. Shownotes IMA Canada | International Migrants Alliance - Canada Chapter - https://www.wearemigrants.net/ima/tag/IMA+Canada [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wearemigrants.net%2Fima%2Ftag%2FIMA%2BCanada&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7C35ef92851ca346ff008108dea7b1c2c7%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C639132579102750070%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=d0be5hD1Mw9cwMNwDrPqDKRbVkME%2BHDoUKDT%2FiNQw8g%3D&reserved=0] CUPE National | Migrant rights - https://cupe.ca/migrant-rights [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcupe.ca%2Fmigrant-rights&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7C35ef92851ca346ff008108dea7b1c2c7%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C639132579102800765%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=VTEoG%2FrE6Le0iNeeBMEEdPRsiQWJWtLwHy%2B21zo8Wfg%3D&reserved=0] CUPE National | Take action: status, not scapegoating, for migrant workers (petition) - https://cupe.ca/take-action-status-not-scapegoating-migrant-workers [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcupe.ca%2Ftake-action-status-not-scapegoating-migrant-workers&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7C35ef92851ca346ff008108dea7b1c2c7%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C639132579102826313%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vHZv02opTkHc%2BcoBMrptsb6mNFQlMNx7dPE2niSQRyU%3D&reserved=0]

Bulldozing Ontario with Bill 60

The Ontario government introduced Bill 60, the “Fighting Delays. Building Fast Act,” in October 2025. With this omnibus bill bulldozing its way through Queen’s Park, it has quickly brought in reforms that will affect tenants’ rights and new opportunities to privatize our public water. On this episode, you’ll hear from tenant organizer An and CUPE Local 1785 wastewater worker James Marangon. Join the podcast to hear us talk about Bill 60, the changes it brings and its impacts on tenants and workers across the province.  Show notes: Episode correction: There is an incorrect reference to the implementation of the transition to a Water Wastewater Corporation by Summer/Fall of 2027. Bill 60 proposed a transition date for Peel Water Wastewater services of January 1, 2029; however, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has the power to change that date by regulation. Housing segment starts at 20:22 Water segment starts at 1:01:18 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (October 28, 2025) | Bill 60, Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 - https://www.amo.on.ca/policy/land-use-planning-resources-and-climate-change/bill-60-fighting-delays-building-faster-act [https://www.amo.on.ca/policy/land-use-planning-resources-and-climate-change/bill-60-fighting-delays-building-faster-act]  Association of Municipalities of Ontario (November 25, 2025) | Advocacy on Bill 60, Data Standards, Blue Box and Conservation Authority Consolidation - https://www.amo.on.ca/policy/land-use-planning-resources-and-climate-change/advocacy-bill-60-data-standards-blue-box-and [https://www.amo.on.ca/policy/land-use-planning-resources-and-climate-change/advocacy-bill-60-data-standards-blue-box-and]  Brampton Guardian (December 13, 2025) | Brampton councillors angry over Ontario ‘Fighting Delays, Building Faster’ bill- https://www.bramptonguardian.com/news/council/brampton-angry-over-bill-60/article_7073b85e-195b-57fb-a344-9175d5c80510.html [https://www.bramptonguardian.com/news/council/brampton-angry-over-bill-60/article_7073b85e-195b-57fb-a344-9175d5c80510.html]  CBC News (November 12, 2025) | Toronto council votes to oppose Bill 60, saying it could increase evictions, weaken tenant rights - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-council-votes-oppose-ford-government-bill-60-9.6976288 [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-council-votes-oppose-ford-government-bill-60-9.6976288]  CUPE Ontario (December 15, 2025) | Bill 60 Webinar: Municipal Service Corporations & The Future of Public Water - https://youtu.be/_q4xWXTPeYo?si=ry3PHLMQulxld5Dl [https://youtu.be/_q4xWXTPeYo?si=ry3PHLMQulxld5Dl]  CUPE Ontario (November 25, 2025) | Ontario water at risk as government rushes privatization and deregulation with Bill 60 - https://cupe.ca/ontario-water-risk-government-rushes-privatization-and-deregulation-bill-60 [https://cupe.ca/ontario-water-risk-government-rushes-privatization-and-deregulation-bill-60] CUPE Ontario (November 18, 2025 | Keep Water Public coalition: Conservative government’s Bill 60 turns water into a business and threatens public health - https://cupe.on.ca/keep-water-public-coalition-conservative-governments-bill-60-turns-water-into-a-business-and-threatens-public-health/ [https://cupe.on.ca/keep-water-public-coalition-conservative-governments-bill-60-turns-water-into-a-business-and-threatens-public-health/]  CUPE Ontario | Keep Water Public - https://keepwaterpublic.ca/ [https://keepwaterpublic.ca/]  York South-Weston Tenant Union - https://www.tenantunion.ca/ [https://www.tenantunion.ca/]  Youth South-Weston Tenant Union email - info@tenantunion.ca  Youth South-Weston Tenant Union Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yswtenantunion/ [https://www.instagram.com/yswtenantunion/]

Save Our OMERS

CUPE Cast is back! In this episode, Brianna welcomes the two new co-hosts to the podcast: Katherine Grzejszczak and Krista Laing. Plus, Brianna, Katherine and Krista discuss the OMERS governance review. As the Ford Government calls for a review of OMERS, CUPE Ontario has launched the “Save our OMERS” campaign to spread its awareness about the review and highlight why CUPE members should have their say about what happens to the management of their pensions. CUPE Ontario’s President Fred Hahn and researcher and professor Kevin Skerrett join the CUPE Cast co-hosts to share their insights on this important issue. Show notes CUPE Ontario | Save our OMERS - https://cupe.on.ca/saveouromers/ [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcupe.on.ca%2Fsaveouromers%2F&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7Cfe65af90a5e14ddcebef08ddf0a22718%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638931302009882224%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8veBNfzWpoXrSokA1PbKKnyFfit78Uj1mzq04vavDSE%3D&reserved=0] CUPE Ontario | 2025 OMERS Governance Review Submission (July 18, 2025) - https://cupe.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CUPE-Submissions-OMERS-Governance.pdf [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcupe.on.ca%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F07%2FCUPE-Submissions-OMERS-Governance.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7Cfe65af90a5e14ddcebef08ddf0a22718%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638931302009909571%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Ie1FeyB%2Fs7HOgO0VR11WZtKfbFpNzs80uZg7iNZVObw%3D&reserved=0]  CUPE Ontario |  OMERS Webinar (June 5, 2025) - https://youtu.be/PtDKGzx7oo4?si=JjdsZp-blR2QWmLu [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FPtDKGzx7oo4%3Fsi%3DJjdsZp-blR2QWmLu&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7Cfe65af90a5e14ddcebef08ddf0a22718%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638931302009924092%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Z7WG5wRn%2FEUXVHugYBIGXTpiH0o27HpkFHkQpsg4y1I%3D&reserved=0]  Spring Magazine | Doug Ford and OMERS executives side step pensioners (August 28, 2025) - https://springmag.ca/doug-ford-and-omers-executives-side-step-pensioners [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fspringmag.ca%2Fdoug-ford-and-omers-executives-side-step-pensioners&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7Cfe65af90a5e14ddcebef08ddf0a22718%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638931302009937824%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cu%2Fw%2FE7apGm5fLLge9Dbv3ywZChaQFLu84T6xQtdeB4%3D&reserved=0]

Trades: Every Day, Everywhere!

The trades are in high demand—not only for new skilled workers, but also to keep up with the growing demand from communities and cities. Chris Yates, President of CUPE Local 2361 and co-chair of CUPE Ontario’s Trades Committee, sits down with CUPE Cast co-host Brianna to shed light on the Trades sector. In this episode, Chris and Brianna explore some of the issues affecting trades workers in the workplace and discuss current campaigns from CUPE Ontario’s Trade Committee.    Show notes: CUPE Ontario | Trades - https://cupe.on.ca/committees/trades/ [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcupe.on.ca%2Fcommittees%2Ftrades%2F&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7Cb14a3f6cd7054617108e08ddd5cdbd5e%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638901801974973850%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5nPts6oU683vOFXwAlE%2BiTTChZ86TeASIVC%2FWP%2Fsxlg%3D&reserved=0] CUPE Ontario | Trades Action Plan 2025 - https://cupe.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Trades-Action-Plan-2025.pdf [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcupe.on.ca%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F08%2FTrades-Action-Plan-2025.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7Cb14a3f6cd7054617108e08ddd5cdbd5e%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638901801975009006%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=TIDPJS2szT7VmW2pk5SBPopSDII2zwwctYG3Qx0pgPE%3D&reserved=0] Ontario Federation of Labour | Heat Stress Campaign - https://ofl.ca/action/the-heat-is-on/ [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fofl.ca%2Faction%2Fthe-heat-is-on%2F&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7Cb14a3f6cd7054617108e08ddd5cdbd5e%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638901801975029236%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=MR5dwx6aiiGphsbW2yRJ95TbC1AaVa9FtEOoqLLcTSs%3D&reserved=0]

Tackling Tariffs

It seems lately, one of the big topics on the news and with businesses is tariffs.  With the United States imposing new tariffs on Canada and other countries, what does that mean for the Canadian economy and, most importantly, the working class? In this episode of CUPE Cast, the co-hosts are joined by CUPE National’s Research Director, Angella MacEwen, who breaks down the concepts of tariffs, the impact on CUPE members and the potential repercussions on public sector services.  Show notes CUPE National | Public protections against Trump’s tariffs – https://cupe.ca/public-protections-against-trumps-tariffs [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcupe.ca%2Fpublic-protections-against-trumps-tariffs&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7C5a2389583e284986cc4f08ddbf21edca%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638876874652050530%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=D%2F2LtvyeQByYNQjQKWkUlS687IMKgWZkRz59lBEFF5k%3D&reserved=0] CUPE National |  Stand on Guard: Add your name to the Montreal Declaration (petition) – https://cupe.ca/stand-guard-add-your-name-montreal-declaration [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcupe.ca%2Fstand-guard-add-your-name-montreal-declaration&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7C5a2389583e284986cc4f08ddbf21edca%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638876874652063897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=C4t8cmulpUGCZ3PLjyj71nqpx9%2FOeHSCuNtLzaHhqdA%3D&reserved=0] CUPE National | Tariffs Fact Sheet – https://cupe.ca/tariffs-fact-sheet [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcupe.ca%2Ftariffs-fact-sheet&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7C5a2389583e284986cc4f08ddbf21edca%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638876874652076739%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Vq96%2Fi1l0yGa7LORbRHTP4%2BobbAG3rpX%2BIZpAXcCaFs%3D&reserved=0]  CUPE National | Unifor – CUPE Joint Statement – https://cupe.ca/unifor-cupe-joint-statement [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcupe.ca%2Funifor-cupe-joint-statement&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7C5a2389583e284986cc4f08ddbf21edca%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638876874652089366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=y9gfLlzYjpz%2FghhZzoL65hLa7Pze0f7gK5VkyE8yP9g%3D&reserved=0]  Satisitics Canada | Canadian international merchandise trade, February 2025 – https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250403/dq250403a-eng.htm [https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww150.statcan.gc.ca%2Fn1%2Fdaily-quotidien%2F250403%2Fdq250403a-eng.htm&data=05%7C02%7Csyalda%40cupe.on.ca%7C5a2389583e284986cc4f08ddbf21edca%7C97766fe46994491a84af3469289bd9dc%7C1%7C0%7C638876874652101807%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=51OVhgfePbAS%2Bx9e%2BmK5AIN6gAhYZ%2FspySWfHLCnqSM%3D&reserved=0]