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Volunteer against Income Inequality
The fight against income inequality is bigger than all of us. To really win this battle, we’ll need everyone on board, and there’s a ton of different ways you can get involved! Even if you’re not a union member, volunteering with any number of organizations could help turn the tide. Use our map to find allies in your area and help us win a fairer future for all Canadians.
NUPGE does not officially endorse any organizations unless they are clearly labeled as a NUPGE affiliate.
The Lists
(Photo Chuttersnap).
(Photo Pina Messina).
In the News
PSI campaigning to end Amazon’s tax dodging and mistreatment of workers
Ottawa (02 Dec. 2020) — Public Services International, the global union federation of public sector unions, has joined a global coalition working to address the many issues with Amazon’s business practices, including tax dodging and mistreating its workers. The campaign, Make Amazon Pay, is demanding changes to both Amazon’s company policies and government legislation.
Time to tax extreme wealth as Canada’s billionaires grow $53B richer in pandemic
Ottawa (01 Dec. 2020) — Canadians for Tax Fairness revealed that the wealth of Canada’s richest billionaires grew by more than $50 billion between April and October of this year.
Encouraging comments but limited action in Fall Economic Statement
Ottawa (01 Dec. 2020) — Rightfully, much of the focus of yesterday’s Fall Economic Statement was on the COVID-19 pandemic. There were some additional funds for the public health response, including PPE and vaccines, and more measures to support workers, families, businesses, and communities that are impacted by the lockdowns.
Tax dodging by corporations and the wealthy costs over $560 billion a year
Ottawa (20 Nov. 2020) — A new report from the Tax Justice Network (TJN) estimates that tax dodging by multinational corporations and the wealthy is costing governments around the world over C$560 billion a year.
Parliament passes up an opportunity to make tax system fairer
Ottawa (19 Nov. 2020) — This week, Members of Parliament voted against an NDP motion calling for a wealth tax and a tax on excessive corporate profits. The NDP proposal called for a 1% tax on wealth over $20 million and an excess profit tax. It was proposed that funds raised through these measures be used to fund income security programs, health care and housing.
It was defeated when the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party and the Bloc Québécois voted against it.
Canadians for Tax Fairness seeks tax fairness measures in federal government fiscal update
New polling from Environics Research shows the majority of Canadians support the government in making “major changes to fix long-standing problems in society,” such as inequality. Another poll in Quebec found the majority of Canadians are willing to pay more in taxes.
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer links impact of COVID-19 to inequality
“This pandemic has demonstrated that inequities in our society place some populations — and ultimately, all Canadians at risk. No one is protected from the risk of COVID-19 until everyone is protected.” — Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada
Wealth of the super-rich reaches record levels
When billionaires are wealthier than ever before, making cuts to public services that will penalize low- and middle-income people to pay for the costs of the COVID-19 pandemic is obscene.
Ottawa (16 Oct. 2020) — While most of the world’s population is struggling to get by, the very wealthy are now richer than ever before. According to a report from UBS, a multinational bank based in Switzerland, the holdings of the world’s billionaires are now worth US $10.2 trillion, or about C$13.56 trillion. This is higher than the previous record of US$8.9 trillion.
People out of work due to COVID-19 can’t be abandoned
“The fact that your government felt it necessary to create the CERB is a damning statement on the damage done by the restrictions on EI coverage and benefits that have been introduced over the years” Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Problems with Canada Student Service Grant go beyond contract with WE
Using charities or non-profit groups to privatize public services doesn’t generate the same reaction as when for-profit companies take them over, but the problems associated with privatization are still there.