It appears that the Ford government only listens to those with wealth and influence

BY STEVEN KASZAB

Inflation continues to rise. Going to the grocery store or local market seems much more of a chore than it did in the past. Consumers are being forced to be much more diligent in their budgetary plans for the week. Price talks – retailer’s promotions walk. Milk has gone to $5.50 – $7.11 for a three-bag selection. Forget about cheese, meat, fish, and certain veggies too. Alberta beef offered at $18.99 per pound? Cottage cheese for $6.00 a container? The retailers and grocery institutions are making enormous profits and claim they are giving us the very best prices available.

Loblaws increased their prices continually, yet when consumers complained, they issued a promotion claiming they would freeze their President Choice brand prices until January 2023.

Prices are at an all-time high, and they promise to keep them there until next year? Who are they trying to fool? Other grocers will no doubt follow. Imagine Alberta and Ontario beef at an all-time high. What are our local and provincial governments doing about this situation? Absolutely Nothing. Canada and America’s corporations have undue influence upon our governments; after all they employ many of our neighbours. They also inject funds into various political parties, ensuring they have the ear of our elected officials especially when government policy is being devised.

Ontario has one of the highest sovereign debts in the world. In March 2018, the provincial government’s public debt was $348.8 billion. Today, it is at 418 billion and its non-public debt sits at $9.17 billion and is increasing daily. Is the government capable of accounting for all its public and non-public debt? It seems to be a struggle.

The Federal Government sent billions of dollars to the Ford government to be used in their efforts to fight the pandemic, yet much of that money sits in government bonds and accounts unused.

Like never before, our neighbours within the middle-class must decide whether and on what they must spend their money. Their money is most likely borrowed, on credit cards and over extended lines of credit too. Gas prices are at $2.45+ a litre in Thunder Bay, much more in Vancouver or Halifax. Many people cannot afford the expense of travelling to their places of business. While inflation and interest rates escalate, our general wages remain the same.

The politicians give themselves raises. An order in council gave Deputy Ministers who make a $205,000 salary a minimum increase to $235,000, along with all the perks a government official receives. 28 Deputy Ministers have received at least a 14% increase.

While this continues to happen, CUPE has been trying to negotiate for their education sector workers, asking for over 15% per year for four years. These: workers, custodians, office workers and teacher assistants make $39,900 annually in costly Southern Ontario. The Ford government may very well dictate that a union, which has voted 95% by its membership to strike, will lose its right to strike, and even to democratically negotiate their contract. It appears that the Ford government only listens to those with wealth and influence. Perhaps they will listen when the teacher’s union supports CUPE in the near future?

The working people, those who build and transform our society each day, are under attack from all sides, by political inaction and corporate greed. Grocers will claim they only make a 3-5% profit on their products. They claim undue cost increases caused by transportation and the supply train. Don’t believe them. Who do you think has their own: transportation network, their own trucks, and partial or whole ownership of many of the suppliers they claim are escalating their costs.

Look into it, folks. Scam City in Ontario, Canada and beyond.