Martin Regg Cohn: Doug Ford has stained his legacy in a way that even backing down won’t fix
Doug Ford might have finally learned a powerful lesson about the limits of power:The premier perhaps imagined he could ban CUPE’s 55,000 workers from striking, so that he could keep classrooms open. Until he realized he might have to face hundreds of thousands more workers shutting down the entire economy in a loomingFord believed he could override any judge who dared overrule him, while also riding out any public backlash — ignoring both the law courts and the court of public opinion.
But rather than grant CUPE workers a similar framework for conflict resolution, Ford stoked further conflict by unilaterally and bizarrely dictating his own terms for a final settlement. Hence the belated outbreak of union solidarity. It was always inevitable that the fleeting love affair between Ford and a few friendly labour leaders would end with broken hearts. In a highly inflationary environment, workers are mindful of their lost purchasing power, though not all unions demand double-digit hikes .
The so-called nuclear option deployed by Ford has been returned to its bunker for now. But the enduring political fallout, and the stain on his legacy, are harder to measure.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Doug Ford offers to rescind education law if union members return to classPremier Doug Ford said he is willing to rescind the legislation that made the Ontario education workers' strike illegal if their union is willing to stop their mass walkout.
Read more »
Doug Ford offers to stop use of notwithstanding clause if union members return to schoolPremier Doug Ford said he is willing to rescind the legislation that made the Ontario education workers’ strike illegal if their union is willing to stop their mass walkout.
Read more »
Doug Ford, Sylvia Jones immune from testifying at Emergencies Act inquiry: JudgeA Federal Court judge has decided Ontario’s premier and a top minister will not have to testify at the Emergencies Act inquiry in Ottawa.
Read more »
Doug Ford, Sylvia Jones don’t have to testify at Emergencies Act inquiry, federal judge rulesFord and former solicitor general Sylvia Jones are immune from testifying at the Emergencies Act inquiry due to “parliamentary privilege,” a Federal Court judge has ruled.
Read more »
CUPE announces end to strike after Doug Ford offers to rescind education lawThe union representing 55,000 education workers across Ontario is committing to end their mass walkout on Tuesday after Premier Doug Ford offered to rescind the legislation that made the strike illegal.
Read more »
Judge rules Doug Ford, Sylvia Jones immune from testifying at Emergencies inquiry | National NewswatchNational Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views. Make it a daily habit.
Read more »