Education workers and the union movement successfully pushed back Doug Ford's Bill 28 and defended the right of workers to strike. This has inspired a broader fightback on a number of fronts, including on:

• Bill 23, which opens up Greenbelt lands for development, violates Indigenous peoples’ inherent and treaty rights, damages the environment, worsens the housing crisis and attacks democracy to further enrich a few developers;
• the Ford government’s attacks on healthcare, education and other hard-won public services;
• Bill 124, which has held down public sector workers’ wages, an attack on working people and the services they rely on.
• Affordable housing and increasing benefits payments for people with disabilities and those struggling in poverty conditions

A group of organizers from these different struggles is organizing a “Welcome” Back Doug Protest Party on Saturday Feb 25, 2023 under the banner I-HEED We want to mobilize a broad opposition to the Ford government agenda, bringing together Indigenous people, labour, environment, health, education, spiritual communities and democracy activists that can build a different vision for Ontario, that would help build further collaborative action as we move forward in the spring.   

Organizers are from groups including Toronto & York Region Labour Council, Greenbelt Guardians, OSSTF, CUPE, Toronto 350, Greater Toronto Health Coalition, Seniors for Climate Action Now! (SCAN) and Climate Voice. The endorsements received so far include the Toronto and York Region Labour Council and the Steelworkers Toronto Area Council.

Ontarians are suffering under a dysfunctional democracy but collectively, we do have the power to change things - and we can have fun doing so! We’re throwing a big protest party at Queen’s Park, having some fun while pushing back against the Ford government and their big business backers - it will be good for the justice movement in Ontario.

You may be wondering: what is the agenda of this event?   Well, this is an I HEED happening where we use art, dance, humour, and music to bring us together and take a stand for:

 Indigenous rights  Healthcare Education Environment and Democracy – I  HEED.  

It’s a big tent, but honestly, that’s because It’s About Everything!

Save the Greenbelt, your Healthcare, Your Jobs, Public Education, and Democracy!

Come to our big tent event and let’s earn some R-E-S-P-E-C-T 

#itsabouteverything

Check out more at:www.welcomebackdoug.com

We’ll be doing it with MUSIC because: The more we get together, the happier we’ll be!  

People of all ages and from all communities in Ontario can help push back these attacks, recognizing that Indigenous peoples, Black and other racialized communities and other marginalized communities are bearing their brunt. 

This is an inclusive, family-friendly music infused event where ideas from different struggles can be shared to help slow down and stop the Doug Ford Agenda. 

We will provide chairs and space for mobility devices close to the speakers and performers for those with accessibility needs. 

There will be ASL interpretation for those that are hearing impaired. 

Please email [email protected] to let us know your accessibility needs and we will do our best to provide a welcoming space.