Thomas: Belleville town hall will inspire the fight against privatization

BELLEVILLE, ON, Nov. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - Long wait times for health care. Sky-high hydro rates. Dangerous highways. Young people leaving in droves. These are just some of the consequences communities like Belleville are suffering because of privatization.

How Belleville can fight back against privatization will be the subject of a town hall meeting at the Marriott Town Suites on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

"Belleville is a strong, proud community," said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the leader of the We Own It campaign to stop privatization. "But privatization is hurting Belleville and it's time for Belleville to fight back."

"The good news is it's a fight that can be won," said Thomas. "Polling shows that a strong majority of Ontarians support investing in public services because it will boost the economies of places like Belleville." 

Thomas will be joined at the town hall by Prince Edward-Hastings MPP Todd Smith, Hydro Not For Sale chairperson Rosario Marchese, PIPSC DND National Consultation President Glenn Maxwell, and Provincial Schools Advocates leader Lesley Lehman. The town hall will be moderated by OPSEU Vice-President Gareth Jones.

"Communities across Ontario, Canada, and the world are reaping real benefits by telling their politicians to stop privatizing services and stop selling public assets," said Thomas. "Now it's Belleville's turn."

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)