Queen's Park Observer

Queen's Park Observer

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Queen's Park Observer
Smokey speaks
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Smokey speaks

Plus: Belinda booted, duelling highway fundraising appeals, staff moves at Treasury Board, Ford hosts Furey, LTC bill clears final vote, watchdog reports roll in, more paid sick days, and baby watch

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Sabrina Nanji
Dec 08, 2021
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Queen's Park Observer
Queen's Park Observer
Smokey speaks
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ABOVE THE FOLD

Lots of action as Queen’s Park winds down for the winter recess.

There’s fresh Covid modelling as the province holds the line on capacity limits, more paid sick days, watchdog reports on the cost of climate-proofing provincial buildings and the poor state of Francophone services, a 905 infrastructure announcement from DOUG FORD, and an MPP was ejected for failing to show proof of vaccination.

But first — here’s my interview with WARREN “SMOKEY” THOMAS — longtime leader of the Ontario Public Service Union and thorn in the side of governments of all stripes — who announced his upcoming retirement in April. Here are the highlights (slightly edited for length and clarity):

Photo: Getty

— Proudest moments? We’ve had some major accomplishments that no other union can claim. We were the first-ever union to do a social mapping exercise to see the makeup of our membership. You know — race, religion, creed, that sort of thing. So we’ve been able to take on anti-racism, anti-haras…

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