Ahead of the February 27 provincial election, 1006A members speak about issues that are important to them and their families.
Your union encourages you to learn more about where each party stands and to get out and vote in your riding. Every vote makes a difference.
Visit Elections Ontario to find out when and where to vote.
Below, member Rene Lapointe speaks about the affordability crisis in Ontario.
Researchers state that the average family of four in Canada will be facing bigger grocery bills in 2025, as their food costs are expected to rise by $800.
The escalating costs of housing and rent have made this problem worse.
In 1990, the cost of an average home in the GTA was $255,020 and now, it is upwards of $1 million.
Ontarians are also facing sky-high renting costs. Currently, the average cost of renting a one-bed room apartment in Toronto is $2,300 compared to more than $3,000 a month for a two bedroom apartment. In 1990, the average rental cost for a one-bedroom was $560 and a two-bedroom was $690.
With these high costs, Ontarians are finding it hard to make ends meet.
In fact, 25 per cent of Toronto households do not have enough money to buy food. Cities like Kingston, Toronto and Mississauga have declared a food emergency.
With housing and food costs skyrocketing, join Ontarians in advocating for those running for elected office to tackle the affordability crisis in Ontario.
Rene Lapointe, Loblaws Great Food
"When I started out as a Loblaws baker more than 25 years ago, I saw workers that could afford a house, a car, a family and a nice vacation – comfortably. Since then, that standard of living has become almost unattainable, if not impossible for workers like us.
The Liberal and Conservative governments of the last few decades have let this happen while their buddies got rich.
It is time now for Ontario to turn the tables and elect a government that will fight for workers to get that life back. Marit Stiles and the NDP are the only party committed to fighting for workers' rights."
