I’d like to thank Terri Rinta, a proud steelworker from USW Local 2020, who helped collect these petitions during Labour Day. It is a petition to enact anti-scab labour law.
“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
“Whereas strikes and lockouts are rare: on average, 97% of collective agreements are negotiated without work disruption; and
“Whereas anti-replacement workers laws have existed in Quebec since 1978, in British Columbia since 1993, and in Ontario under the NDP government, it was repealed by the Harris conservative government;
“Whereas anti-scab legislation has reduced the length and divisiveness of labour disputes; and
“Whereas the use of scab labour during a strike or lockout is damaging to the social fabric of a community in the short and long term, as well as, the well-being of its residents;
“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario...:
“To pass the anti-scab labour bill to ban the use of replacement workers during a strike or lockout.”
I wholeheartedly support this, Speaker. I affix my signature and provide it to page Clara.
“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
“Whereas anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate crimes and harassment are increasing across Ontario;
“Whereas drag artists have been specifically targeted for intimidation by anti-2SLGBTQI+ extremists;
“Whereas drag performance is a liberating and empowering art form that allows diverse communities to see themselves represented and celebrated;
“Whereas drag artists, small businesses, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities deserve to feel safe everywhere in Ontario;
“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to pass the Keeping 2SLGBTQI+ Communities Safe Act so that 2SLGBTQI+ safety zones can deter bigoted harassment and an advisory committee can be struck to protect 2SLGBTQI+ communities from hate crimes.”
I support this petition. I’ll affix my signature and provide it to page Yijie for the Clerks’ table.