Hello,

My name is Kimberly Wood, and I represent the Canada Deaf Grassroots Movement (CDGM) as Founder and Chair.

We are sharing an important message today.

Open Letter – CHS open letter (May 24, 2025).docx

CDGM stands in full support of the CUPE 2073 workers who are currently on strike.

Why? Because Canadian Hearing Services (CHS) has closed or limited services at 15 of its Ontario offices due to the strike. This is creating a serious crisis for the Deaf community.

We are seeing many Deaf people being harmed.

Examples:

One Deaf man had a doctor’s appointment. He needed an ASL interpreter to refill a prescription that is vital for his survival.

CHS called and told him, “Sorry, no interpreter available. You must reschedule.”

He was terrified. Without that prescription, his life could be in danger.

This is unacceptable.

Others are also being affected:

Mental health services have stopped.

Immigration support has been cut off.

Literacy programs have been cancelled.

Access to communication has been destroyed.

Why? Because CHS management refuses to respect the workers. They are treating the community like a machine — without emotion, without empathy, without a heart.

CDGM is saying: Enough.

We demand that CHS:

Return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair agreement with CUPE 2073.

Respect frontline workers — many of whom are Deaf and have served our community for years.

Acknowledge the harm caused and issue a sincere apology to the Deaf community.

We call on the Government of Ontario to:

Take immediate action.

Step in and protect Deaf services.

We also urge the public to:

Stand with the workers.

Stand with the community.

Demand change at CHS.

CDGM firmly believes that CHS has lost the community’s trust.

Right now, the Deaf community feels hurt, confused, and abandoned.

We will continue to fight back. We will support one another.

CDGM remains committed to advancing accessibility, Deaf rights, and respect for all.

Thank you.