Workers Keep Focus on Ford’s Failures as CUPE Ontario Launches “Fire the Boss” Election Campaign

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TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 27, 2025--

Putting the spotlight on the long record of hurt, damage, inaction, and corruption that Ford’s Conservatives have inflicted on workers and all Ontarians, CUPE Ontario has launched a bold new campaign to fire Doug Ford.

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https://FireFord.vote (Graphic: Business Wire)

The Fire the Boss campaign, aimed at 290,000 CUPE members in the province, features a satirical “bad boss” Ford character—someone who shirks accountability, relies on costly gimmicks, and ignores warnings from the workers who keep the province running.

The campaign exposes Doug Ford’s blame-and-bribes playbook and reminds CUPE members to vote as workers. It makes the case that public sector workers have the rare chance to flip the script and send packing the one boss they can fire: Premier Doug Ford.

“Ford might want to shift attention to Trump’s threats, but CUPE members will go to the polls to vote for stronger public services and a new premier who will deliver honestly for working-class Ontarians,” said Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario. “To do that, we’re keeping the focus where it belongs—on out-of-touch multimillionaire Doug Ford and his nearly seven-year record of damage and deceit.”

At the heart of the campaign is a 90-second satirical video, featuring a Ford-like boss dodging questions from health care, social services, and finance workers. Armed with a stack of cue cards variously labeled “Blame” and “Bribe,” he bumbles through his responses, dismissing workers’ urgent concerns about health care staffing shortages, skyrocketing grocery bills, and the Ford government’s intentional underfunding of schools and hospitals. The video ends with a clear call to action: “Fire the Boss. Fire Ford.”

“Doug Ford wants to make this election about anything but his own record of failure,” said Yolanda McClean, secretary-treasurer of CUPE Ontario. “But workers aren’t falling for it. We’re focused on Ford’s blame-and-bribes playbook—the same tactics he used to attack public services, give away health care to profit-taking CEOs, and green-light luxury developments instead of affordable housing, leaving Ontarians to deal with the lowest housing starts in 69 years.”

The campaign highlights Ford’s pattern of blaming others—workers, immigrants, and the federal government—for problems he’s made worse, while distracting Ontarians with “bribes” like empty promises and flashy payouts.

See the campaign website: FireFord.vote

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250127240403/en/

CONTACT: For more information:

Mary Unan, CUPE Communications [email protected]

Ken Marciniec, Political Action Coordinator [email protected]

KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA CANADA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY GROUP OPINION LABOR

SOURCE: Canadian Union of Public Employees

Copyright Business Wire 2025.

PUB: 01/27/2025 06:30 AM/DISC: 01/27/2025 06:30 AM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250127240403/en