Personal Support Workers Rally Outside Doug Ford's Etobicoke Office Over Registry Concerns

Personal support workers (PSWs) represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) gathered outside Premier Doug Ford's constituency office in Etobicoke on Wednesday, continuing a series of labour demonstrations aimed at the Ontario government.

The rally focused on concerns surrounding Ontario's newly established regulatory body for personal support workers. Union representatives argued that the registry, initially presented as a measure to strengthen the profession, could instead weaken workers' rights and create additional challenges for an already understaffed healthcare workforce.

Debra Maxfield, chair of CUPE's Health Care Workers Committee, said the registry had been promoted as a professional body similar to those governing nurses and other regulated healthcare professions. However, she argued that the final model falls short of those expectations and does not provide the protections workers were promised.

The demonstration is part of a broader campaign by Ontario's public sector unions, including the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO), which has staged multiple protests targeting Premier Ford in recent weeks.

Earlier demonstrations included a symbolic protest near Ford's cottage, where union members demanded improved funding for public services and full compensation related to Bill 124. The legislation, introduced by the Ford government before the COVID-19 pandemic, limited annual wage increases for many public sector employees to one per cent before being struck down by the courts.

Union members also protested during the annual Ford Fest event in Scarborough, where hundreds of workers from the vulnerable services sector interrupted the premier's speech with chants calling for better wages and working conditions.

Following that event, Ford criticized the protesters, saying their actions disrupted what was intended to be a family-friendly community gathering.

While Wednesday's protest took place outside his Etobicoke office, the premier was attending a private event in Hamilton to promote Ontario's shipbuilding industry.

Labour organizations say they intend to continue demonstrations until the provincial government addresses concerns over healthcare staffing, worker protections, public service funding, and compensation for public sector employees.