Media Advisory - Activists Demand Real Change to Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Protest Targets Conservative Minister Diane Finley

SIMCOE, ON, June 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Community and labour activists will be joined by Official Opposition members at a demonstration today outside Conservative MP Diane Finley's office to protest the Harper government's low-wage economic strategy and abuse of temporary foreign workers.

"The Conservatives say they're reforming the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, but it continues to exploit foreign workers and suppress domestic wages and training and job opportunities," said Ken Neumann, United Steelworkers (USW), Canadian director.

"The Harper government has abandoned its responsibility to protect Canadians and ensure that highly vulnerable workers from abroad are not exploited," Neumann said.

WHAT:	Protest against Harper government's low-wage economic strategy and
	abuse of temporary foreign workers.
WHERE:	Office of Conservative MP Diane Finley
	76 Kent Street South
	Simcoe, ON
WHEN:	Friday, June 21st
	1 p.m.
WHO:	Labour and community activists with guest speakers including NDP MPs Wayne Marston (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) and David Christopherson (Hamilton-Centre)

Today's demonstration is part of a national campaign, Give Everyone A Chance for Canada's Future, launched by the USW. The campaign aims to raise awareness and mobilize the public around the abuses of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and its role in the Harper government's low-wage economic model for Canada.

For more information on the campaign, go to www.everyoneschance.ca.

SOURCE: United Steelworkers (USW)

Alexandra Eshelman, USW Strategic Campaigns, 416-544-5968, 416-570-9984,  [email protected]

Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-544-5966, [phone], [email protected]