Political Pulse - Fall 2017

CUPE to appeal judge’s decision to dismiss hydro lawsuit
Judge Cavanagh’s decision to dismiss our lawsuit over
the sale of Hydro One was a huge disappointment to
the people of Ontario and we have now filed an appeal
to have the decision overturned, said Fred Hahn,
president of CUPE Ontario.
“We know the government’s decision was not in the
best interest of the Ontario people, we know they
structured the deal in a way that benefitted a large
number of bankers operating as middle men on the
deal, and we know those same bankers held Liberal
party fundraisers to explicitly celebrate the sale of
Hydro One shares. This is all a matter of public record,”
said Hahn.
“Though we are pleased that the judge ruled the
Premier and her Ministers cannot hide behind
parliamentary privilege, we are baffled by his
conclusion that the pleading was unsupported,” he
said.
In June, government lawyers argued that the three were
protected from any wrong doing because they are
protected by parliamentary privilege, and asked the
judge to dismiss the case before it could proceed to
trial.
“We believe the evidence we brought forward is more
than enough to meet the necessary test for proceeding
to trial and are at a loss as to how the judge could rule
against proceeding,” said Hahn.
“This is not the first time a CUPE lawsuit has faced
preliminary hurdles before going on to win on appeal
and then at trial. We are hopeful the appeal court
will allow the case to move to trial,” Hahn said.
CUPE Paramedics work to raise their profile
Paramedics Services Workers across Ontario are
highlighting the vital role that paramedicine plays in
communities. Members came together for their
conference themed “Raising our Profile” in Niagara Falls
this.
Renewing their commitment to protect the critical work
paramedics do in local communities, members received
training on how to become strong public advocates on
the important role they play in our health care system.
Delegates also strategized on how to build local
strength and how to successfully lobby for enhanced
paramedic services to keep up with growing community
need.
Members also elected Jason Fraser, a
paramedic in Peterborough, as their
new committee chair and held the
inaugural meeting of the CUPE
Ambulance Committee of Ontario
(CACO) Women’s Caucus to shine light
on issues affecting women in the
workplace.
6 Political Pulse | Fall 2017