SURJ Toronto Statement on #COVIDZero
Toronto, ON – Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) Toronto has been deeply concerned by the Ontario provincial and Canadian federal governments’ approach to the COVID-19 crisis since the pandemic hit in March 2020. Now, as the second wave escalates out of control, we demand that the government stop prioritizing corporate profits and “business as usual” over the health and safety of our communities. We refuse to endorse an approach that accepts the needless death of elderly people and those living and working in long term care; of Disabled, chronically ill, and immunocompromised loved ones; of the Black, migrant, and racialized communities who have borne the brunt of COVID-19 infections in the GTA; of underhoused, precariously housed and homeless neighbours; of Indigenous people in Toronto and across the country; of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated community members; and of the healthcare and other essential workers who are on the frontlines.
Any pandemic strategy that resigns itself to avoidable sickness and death is racist, sexist, ableist, ageist, and unacceptable. In solidarity with the new #COVIDzero campaign launched by healthcare workers, and as part of the Suppress The Virus Now coalition, an emerging network of community and labour groups, we demand that our elected officials adopt the humane goal of eliminating the community spread of COVID-19.
Policing, threats, and rhetorics that blame individuals for systemic failures and conditions outside of their control are neither effective nor ethical tactics to deal with this pandemic. Instead, we must turn to principles of solidarity and community care, and towards a robust, expansive, and inclusive social safety net so that we can all make it through this crisis. Social and economic inequalities have been exacerbated by the pandemic, but rather than returning to a “normal” where select few lives are privileged over others, we must build the conditions for all to survive and thrive. This rebuilding must centre the voices of those most impacted by the pandemic and the on-going violence of the Canadian state.
We call for a just, equitable #COVIDzero approach that includes (but is not limited to):
Paid sick days for all workers, permanent and easy to access.
Hazard pay for all essential workers.
The right of all workers to refuse work due to unsafe workplace conditions, and to be eligible for income supports like CRB after such work refusals.
Expanded eligibility for pandemic-related state assistance such as the CRB, including for temporary migrant workers, undocumented people, gig economy workers, sex workers, and others.
An immediate ban on evictions and a moratorium on encampment policing, and safe, accessible winter housing for unhoused people who want it.
Immediate investment to improve ventilation, reduce class sizes, and offer COVID testing to students and education workers; and robust assistance for students, educators, caregivers, and families should school closures be necessary.
An immediate end to deportations, and that all migrants, refugees, international students, workers (including temporary or seasonal migrants), and undocumented people in the country be regularized and given full immigration status now.
Immediate federal support and funding for clean water access, appropriate healthcare, and COVID supports for all Indigenous peoples on and off reserve, and the recognition of Indigenous sovereignty across the country, including heeding demands to immediately classify oil and gas extraction as non-essential work.
Immediate decarceration of people from provincial, federal, and immigration detention facilities and simultaneous access to sanitation and protective equipment, harm reduction supplies, free communication, and appropriate and consensual post-incarceration resources and support for all incarcerated people.
Permanently increase OW and ODSP rates to match the CERB ($2000/month).
Take profit out of long-term care and replace for-profit corporations with an entirely non-profit and public system. Enforce national standards that ensure that long-term care workers - who are disproportionately racialized women - have a living wage, health and wellness benefits, and a safe and secure job, in order to provide high-quality care to residents.
SURJ Toronto is a grassroots community group committed to organizing white people to divest from white supremacist institutions, and move into action as part of multi-racial movements for racial justice and decolonization. As the pandemic puts the racial and class divides of Toronto on full and ruthless display, it is urgent that white people show up with our neighbours to demand a just and equitable pathway to #COVIDzero that leaves no one behind.
Here are some ways you can plug into powerful community organizing and take action:
Follow, boost, and contribute to groups like the People’s Defence Toronto, and Keep Your Rent Toronto that are fighting for housing justice
Join the Migrant Rights Network to demand justice, safety, and #StatusForAll migrants
Support the labour organizing of the Migrant Workers Action Centre to ensure that no one is left behind
Take action with 15 & Fairness and the Decent Work and Health Network to demand paid sick days for all
Get involved with the Toronto Prisoners Rights Project to fight for justice for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated peoples, and take action to demand decarceration
Demand better for residents and workers in Long-Term Care, by taking action with the Ontario Nurses’ Association, Canadian Union of Public Employees, and UNIFOR
Write to elected officials to express your support for the demands of the Wet’suwet’en chiefs who are calling for a stop to resource extraction projects as COVID-19 rates surge in BC work camps
Protect public sector jobs and collective bargaining with the Toronto & York Region Labour Council
Join TTC Riders to demand adequate funding for safe and physically distanced public transit options
Call the Minister of Children, Community, and Social Services to demand increased social assistance rates
Demand that the Ontario Legislature adopt an intersectional gender equity approach to pandemic response
Get in touch at surjtoronto.basebuilding@gmail.com if you want to get involved in SURJ Toronto’s work
Image Description: Art by Mirka Loiselle - @mirkaillustrates
