Setting the Record Straight

I'm proud of my record as OFL Secretary-Treasurer and my contributions to our collective efforts over the years to build a strong and financially stable Federation.

In this post, I take on the claims being made against me in private conversations over the last few weeks which revolve around the OFL's methodology for calculating its "COLA" (cost-of-living adjustments) on staff salaries. This was a matter that we addressed and resolved collectively.

I hope my responses below will set the record straight.

Claim #1: "The OFL’s finances are a mess."

My response: The OFL finances are not a mess. In fact, they are strong and stable. As I will report at the Convention, we have a significant surplus this year. Every year I have been the Secretary-Treasurer, I have delivered Board-approved budgets, and consistently ended in surplus.

Our finances are scrutinized every year by an independent third-party auditing firm, BDO Canada, and their expert conclusion is that our books are accurate, transparent, and perfectly in order.

Claim #2: "The OFL almost went bankrupt."

My response: No one denies that the COLA matter was a significant matter, but the OFL was never at risk of insolvency. While we addressed it, the day-to-day operations of the Federation continued without interruption.

In fact, during this time, the Board's confidence in the OFL's finances was reflected in its decision to create a new full-time staff position, a Coordinator of Organizing and Special Projects.

Claim #3: "Ahmad is incompetent or derelict in his duties."

My response: This is a lazy and insulting allegation. I have demonstrated my competence by helping run the OFL's operations since I was first elected to the role in 2019. I have delivered Board-approved budgets that consistently ended in surpluses.

No members are expected to be Chartered Professional Accountants when they run for this position. That's why we also rely on professional staff, including accountants and auditors, to support our work and help ensure our finances are in order.

Claim #4: "Ahmad kept two sets of books."

My response: This is an extremely misleading and dishonest claim. In the financial reports we deliver to the Board, there is usually an "Executive Summary" that summarizes the key points and provides the exact same conclusion as the full report. All Board members have access to the full report, which simply provides more detail. This is a well established practice from long before I became Secretary-Treasurer.

To characterize an executive summary as "two sets of books" is to suggest that I concealed the true state of the Federation's finances from the Board and presented false information. That claim is completely untrue, and those making it know it to be false.

Claim #5: "The Board demanded Ahmad's resignation, but he refused."

My response: At no point during my time as an Officer did the OFL Board ever demand my resignation. This claim is entirely false.

We take minutes at Board meetings and none of the minutes show anyone making this demand of me.

Claim #6: "All but one union in the OFL is backing Ahmad's opponent."

My response: There are 54 affiliates in the OFL. The leadership bodies of a handful of them have voted to endorse other candidates. Not all those votes have been unanimous and some have been unsuccessful. Some votes took place before I had the chance to address the whisper campaign against me.

Nevertheless, I am receiving support from rank-and-file members and leaders across many unions and sectors.

Claim #7: "Ahmad is difficult to work with and not a team player."

My response: This is in response to my refusal to stop talking about Gaza or defending Sarah Jama. When the war began in October 2023, I was among the first labour leaders in Canada to call for a ceasefire, although others pressured me to keep quiet about it. I also got many private phone calls saying my advocacy for Sarah Jama would jeopardize my future in the labour movement and that being "a team player" meant not criticizing the decision to remove Sarah from the ONDP Caucus.

Standing up for what you believe, even if it means disagreeing with allies, is not "being difficult." We need to act on our principles at all times, even when it's uncomfortable.

Claim #8: "Ahmad only cares about Palestine."

My response: I'm deeply proud of my work to oppose the genocide in Gaza, which is part of my longstanding commitment to international solidarity. "An injury to one is an injury to all" is not just a slogan for me.

I've also been active on many other fronts as an OFL Officer: supporting striking and locked out workers, visiting picket lines and attending solidarity rallies, campaigning for ONDP candidates, working with staff and affiliates on OFL campaigns, mentoring young workers in our movement, being an active member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (and using this platform to oppose tariffs in defence of workers in Canada), on top of what I do as Secretary-Treasurer.

Conclusion

I'm disappointed about the way the COLA methodology has been weaponized against me to undermine my democratic right to re-offer as Secretary-Treasurer. It's been a distraction from my real record and many of my achievements in this role, from overseeing the Federation's successful move to a new and better office (with significant savings in rent) to helping move many of our financial operations online (in the wake of the pandemic).

I'm also proud of my role in helping ensure that all the Federation's campaigns (The Power of Many, Enough Is Enough, and countless solidarity initiatives) have been properly funded.

This is our most important work: equipping workers with the resources they need to fight back in their own workplaces and against regressive anti-worker governments.

Let's continue to work together, in solidarity and supporting one another, as we build a labour movement in Ontario that we can all be proud of.

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