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Local labour organizations, education workers, healthcare staff, and community advocates are preparing to gather in Brantford this week to raise concerns about what they describe as chronic underfunding of Ontario’s public services under Premier Doug Ford’s government.
The rally is scheduled for June 3 at 4:45pm at the Brantford and District Labour Centre and will feature speakers from the education, healthcare, labour, and municipal sectors.
Organizers say the event is aimed at highlighting the impact they believe funding shortfalls have had on schools, hospitals, and community services across Brantford, Brant County, Haldimand County, and Norfolk County.
According to organizers, Ontario’s public education system has experienced more than $6.3 billion in underfunding since 2019. They argue the effects have been felt in classrooms and healthcare settings, where workers continue to manage growing demands while facing limited resources.
The group says supports such as psychoeducational assessments, speech and language services, mental health programs, autism therapies, special education placements, and educational assistants are among the services facing increased pressure.
Speakers at the event are expected to include Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, Ontario education and labour leaders, healthcare representatives, frontline workers, and community advocates.
Organizers say the rally is intended to demonstrate support for public services and encourage residents to contact their local MPPs about funding concerns. The event is open to the public and will include food and guest speakers from multiple sectors.
Written by Jeremy Hall
