The local union that represents about 6,000 of York Region’s municipal, library, social service, paramedic and long-term care workers has cancelled its planned action at this Saturday’s Ford Fest in Markham, citing safety concerns for its members.
“A coalition partner that we were organizing with decided they were no longer going to participate and because of that we felt that we wouldn’t have the numbers we anticipated in order to remain safe during the event, and so we’ve decided to cancel our participation,” CUPE Local 905 president Katherine Grzejszczak said.
CUPE’s York Region members and community allies had planned to hand out pamphlets at the entrance of the Markham Fairgrounds where Ontario Premier Doug Ford is holding his family’s long-running annual summer barbecue.
The union’s event was an outreach action meant to highlight the need for public services such as public health care, education, and library services be protected and not cut.
CUPE Local 905 pledges to “continue putting pressure on the Ford government with other actions to come in the near future”, it said about the event cancellation on social media.
Meanwhile, Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) president Warren (Smokey) Thomas announced today in a statement that it, too, has decided to stand down from picketing at Ford Fest this weekend.
"We're not backing down from our fight against Ford," Thomas said. "We'll continue to protest Ford's fancy fundraisers and insider events. But Ford Fest is a chance for real people to have a hamburger and a conversation with Ford – we think the people might even talk some sense into him."
Thomas also said he's not one to kick someone while they're down, after Ford was booed at the Raptors' NBA Championship victory parade Monday.
"It's never good when the premier of your province is so unpopular that he gets booed out of a celebration," said Thomas. "I'm not at all surprised, a lot of Ford's policies have hurt a lot of people. But I'm not one to kick him while he's down, either."
That union is also concerned for their members' safety after visiting the site at the Markham Fairgrounds.
"We don't want to put our members in harm's way," said OPSEU first vice-president and treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida. "(York Regional Police) will try to provide a safe place for people to gather and to rally, but it won't be easy. OPSEU will encourage our members to attend Pride events in Toronto this weekend instead."
A representative from CUPE Local 905 will be on site at the Markham Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 22, to help people navigate the event in case they missed the cancellation notice.
At this time, there are no other organized demonstrations planned for the Ford event.
Ford Fest is scheduled for Saturday, June 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Rd.
It is being billed as Canada’s largest outdoor barbecue, featuring live music, dancing, and other entertainment. Admission is free, but registration is required.
If you are planning to attend Ford Fest, take note:
- For easy entrance, register to secure a ticket.
- Tickets must be presented on a mobile device or hard copy.
- Tickets will be scanned in order to gain entry into the event. Please bring valid photo ID. The name on the ticket must match your photo ID.
- Organizers reserve the right to restrict or deny tickets.
- Prohibited items include:
- No bandanas or face masks
- No alcohol, cannabis or illegal substances
- No weapons (including pocket knives)
- No bottles or cans (including aerosol cans)
- No fireworks
- No signage or posters
- No balloons
- No sticks or flagpoles
