OPSEU to rally and picket new LCBO chair's cash-for-access Ford government fundraiser

TORONTO, May 8, 2019 /CNW/ - OPSEU will be rallying and picketing at a $1,000-a-plate fundraiser for Ontario Finance Minister Vic Fedeli's Nipissing Riding Association on Wednesday. The information picket is to raise awareness in support of Ontario's public services.

The fundraiser is being held by Toronto developer Carmine Nigro, who was appointed last month by the Ford government as the new chairman of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

"Many Ontarians don't know that the LCBO is a public government service and reports to the Minister of Finance," says OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. "LCBO profits help pay for our health care, education and many other public services that we all depend on. And for the LCBO chair to be raising money for the Minister of Finance? How is this not a conflict of interest?""

The LCBO has the monopoly on alcohol sales in the province, but Fedeli wants to see more privatization with more grocery stores allowed to sell alcohol along with convenience and big box stores. Ontarians won't benefit from private alcohol sales. They will lose funding for vital universal public services while the CEOs of private companies pocket the profits.

"This is clearly a cash-for-access dinner and it's making me lose my appetite," says Thomas. "And this dinner is invitation only. Who was invited to this? Is it people who could end up getting a license to sell alcohol privately? We want to know which of Ford's cronies are going to be at this dinner and why they were invited."

The LCBO not only helps fund the public services that Ontarians need and use every day, but it is also a gatekeeper of social responsibility by helping to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors. Increasing the privatization of alcohol sales is a threat to the health and safety of all Ontarians. Let's keep it public!

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)