MEDIA ADVISORY - Provincial government must deal with their revenue problem to improve long-term care and other public services, Hahn tells finance committee

WINDSOR, ON, Jan. 18, 2018 /CNW/ - CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn will focus on the need to fund critical public services like the need for a 4 hour minimum care standard in long-term care homes, as well as the provincial government's serious revenue problem at the pre-budget hearings being held at St. Clair College tomorrow.

"Communities all across Ontario are seeing the devastating impact of years of government cuts to funding for public services," says Hahn. "Fixing the problems we have in long-term care, in our schools, hospitals and other public services, is going to require more money, that's just a fact. And that means it's time for corporations to start paying their fair share in taxes."

"It used to be that individuals and corporations paid an equal share of taxes. After decades of corporate tax cuts, we as individuals now pay 3.5 times more than corporations while their profits soar, and they exploit loopholes to pay less," says Hahn. "Our seniors are not getting the level of care they need, our schools are being closed, people are being treated in hospital hallways. It's time to put the needs of our communities first and that means we have to have an honest conversation about the actual revenue that's needed to do it and where that money should come from."

Media availability before and after the committee presentation.

CUPE is Ontario's community union, with more than 260,000 members providing quality public services we all rely on, in every part of the province, every day. CUPE Ontario members are proud to work in social services, health care, municipalities, school boards, universities and airlines.

www.cupe.on.ca

SOURCE Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)