QUEEN’S PARK – Peter Tabuns, Interim Ontario NDP Leader, Marit Stiles, the next leader of the Ontario NDP, and Jamie West, Ontario NDP Labour critic, released the following statement in response to Doug Ford's decision to appeal an Ontario court ruling that struck down his government’s wage-capping Bill 124:
“The Ontario Superior Court’s ruling that Bill 124 is unconstitutional remains a victory for workers, and Doug Ford must back down from appealing that decision.
Workers have fought hard for years to undo Ford’s damaging Bill 124. Ford’s unfair legislation restricted public sector workers’ compensation, even as many affected workers risked their lives each day going to work through the pandemic.
All Ontarians have paid the price for Ford’s wage-capping Bill 124 — just look at the staffing crises that have hit our hospitals and schools as workers have left because they felt disrespected, overworked and underpaid.
Ontario’s New Democrats will continue to fight alongside workers to stop Ford’s callous and costly appeal of the court decision striking down Bill 124. The government should pay workers what they’re worth, and that starts with respecting their right to free and fair collective bargaining.”