Some Windsorites used the first of May to express their displeasure at how the provincial government is doing things.
Dozens of people gathered near the cenotaph at Windsor's Charles Clark Square Wednesday for a lunchtime rally described by organizers as "anti-Doug Ford". Ontario's premier was a target for participants who were concerned about proposed cuts to healthcare and education, as well as other government policies. The rally coincided with International Workers' Day, also known as May Day.
According to a media release from community activist Howard Weeks, the rally was described as "non-partisan", but participants were encouraged to "bring your signs, bring your voice, bring your attitude".
One speaker, only identified as Jenny, took issue with a plan by the government to prioritize services for students with special needs and autism. The mother of two said if the cuts go through, one of her kids may have a tough time at school.
"At this point now, before these cuts that Doug Ford wants to make, my son cannot get that extra tiny bit of attention that he needs, over the top of the kids who know what they are doing," she said. "He just needs an extra minute and nobody can give it to him."
Richard Taves, a retired teacher and farmer from Chatham-Kent, did not mince words when he described his take on Ford's business philosophy for Ontario.
"There're slogans here everywhere, bumper stickers defining political debate," said Taves. "That's all you have, open for business, what does that mean? Sounds like a sign in front of a brothel, as far as I'm concerned. But there's an ugliness to that."
Despite the calendar saying May 1, the rally did not focus on labour but rather featured a group of concerned residents.
