Empathy, sympathy, indifference and how dare you
TORONTO – The organization that operates the complex at 901 Lawrence Ave and 40 Playfair Ave seems to have developed a knack for eroding the reputation it used to enjoy (deservedly) in the community and beyond. Thanks in great part (but not exclusively so) to government grants, subsidies and programs which they deliver(ed) for the community big and small, Villa Charities built some exemplary facilities and iconic programs emulated in the larger Toronto communities.
It has “farmed out” many of its age-related services and Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities to outside private interests – for a fee. The Ministry responsible for LTC picks up the cost (or the majority of them.
Since May 28, 2025, CUPE Local 5525 has been on strike to protest the collapse of negotiations on a new contract for their LTC providers. Villa Charities hired replacement workers to do their jobs. These, in turn, allegedly are not qualified , morerover, people under their care allegedly are subject to mistreatment, negligence and poor service, according to strikers “on the line” and pamphlets they distribute.
CUPE claims Villa Charities “has offered a benefits package that is worse that the one [they] had before for full-time members and nothing for the part-timeworkers!” Corriere reached out to Villa Charities for comment but as at time of going to print without any response.
All six road accesses to the grounds on the North, East and South sides were blockaded by a battalion of Union reps and workers from early morning. When I passed by at 8:00 AM, everyone was still respectful and co-operatively trying to comply with the strikers’ request to delay for five minutes before demanding access.
Maybe it is a sign of the times – a young lady (early twenties) from inside her car insisted on knowing why she had to wait and risk being late for he gym routine. When one of the workers tried to win her over with a description of the unfairness, she simply said “go get another job”.
