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Click to see photographs from Day to eliminate poverty – North Bay rally.
Friday October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and CUPE Ontario is urging its members to participate in community events being held around the province.
North Bay’s Henri Giroux has rounded up members from locals including CUPE 146, CUPE 1339 and CUPE 122 to participate in a count for poverty. At 5:00 pm Eastern time, groups from all around the world will stand up and have their numbers counted as part of a world-wide tally of those calling for the eradication of poverty.
We’re encouraging all locals to go to this and similar events across the province because we believe that poverty must be eliminated, says Giroux, a CUPE Ontario Board member and President of CUPE 146. That’s also why we have fought for a $10 minimum wage in Ontario for so long.
CUPE Ontario President Sid Ryan says that CUPE members must continue to mobilize against poverty, particularly as the McGuinty government is now saying that it will possibly delay the implementation of its anti-poverty strategy because of the downturn in the economy.
The economic downturn is all the more reason that this government should be acting on the issue of poverty, says Ryan. In its submissions to the province this year, CUPE Ontario has called for a living wage strategy, a return to card-check based certification for unionization, updating of the Employment Standards Act to offer better protection to workers, and decent social assistance levels for people living in poverty.
CUPE members are encouraged to find out and participate in any activities happening in their communities to mark the day. Here is a list of activities that are known to date:
North Bay
4:00 pm
March to offices of MP Anthony Rota and MPP Monique Smith, then to City Hall for poverty count at 5:00 pm.
North Bay poverty groups, CUPE District Council and locals
Toronto
3:30 5:30 pm
Intersection of Jane and Finch
Rally for anti-poverty organized by a coalition of anti-poverty groups and unions.
Ottawa
12:00 noon
Ottawa City Hall
Organized by the Ottawa District Labour Council, National Anti-Poverty Organization and Citizens for Public Justice.
Hamilton
12:00 – 1:30 pm
The Freeway Coffee House, 333 King St. East at the corner of King & Wellington
Lunch with Maggie de Vries. A Canadian author and teacher, she is well known for her advocacy of the missing women in Vancouver’s East Side.
Hosted by Wesley Urban Ministries
Sarnia
12:00 noon
Northern High School and St. Patrick’s High School, Sarnia; Lambton Central Collegiate & Vocational Institute, Petrolia
Students, teachers and supporters will stand up against poverty in solidarity with numerous Make Poverty History supporters around the world at Northern High School and St. Patrick’s High School in Sarnia and LCCVI in Petrolia. For information, contact Wendy Swanson at [email protected]
Newmarket
4:30 pm
Newmarket Town Office, 395 Mulock Street
The Poverty Action for Change Coalition (PACC) will cooperate with the Make Poverty History York Region chapter and other partners to speak, sing and stand up to support ending poverty. For information, check the link get involved at http://www.povertyacc.com or call (289) 221-0928 after 6:00 p.m.
