Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Atlantica Protester


i love this idea.

http://maritimes.indymedia.org/

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Sunday, June 10, 2007

New SWC Program guidelines are out, fists are up.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 6, 2006

NDP MP OUTRAGED AT CHANGES TO WOMEN’S PROGRAM

OTTAWA – This week, the minister responsible for Status of Women Canada, Bev Oda, released the new funding mandate for the Women’s Program. Despite opposition from women’s groups, the new mandate severely restricts women’s organizations and completely ignores the recommendations of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

“This Conservative government didn’t listen to women and has officially removed equality from the mandate and eliminated any research or advocacy funding. This is an assault on the women’s movement in Canada,” said Irene Mathyssen, Status of Women critic for the NDP. “This government is side-stepping its role and forcing organizations to find funding from outside sources before committing any federal funding. This leads to organizations depending on charity, not merit, for funding.”

To be eligible for funding under the new mandate, organizations must have proof of another source of funding in writing. Organizations are also restricted from applying for funding for research, lobbying, and pre-existing programs.

“These restrictions make it impossible for organizations to plan, or to engage in any long-term projects,” said Mathyssen. “There is no room for capacity building, there is no core funding. If this government were truly interested in addressing women’s rights they would invest in core funding for programs that work to eliminate women’s inequality in Canada.“

“We are now taking steps backward on equality rights instead of forward,” said Mathyssen. “By shutting offices, changing the mandate and cutting funding, Bev Oda is not promoting women’s rights. The Conservative Government is not committed to promoting women’s equality,” continued Mathyssen. “They are abandoning women in this country.”

See also this previous post on the Status of Women council for background info. or this essay timeline of events.

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Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Housing Takeover: Women Against Poverty Collective Toronto


About 150 members of the Women Against Poverty Collective (WPAC) plus supporters took to the streets in Toronto earlier on Sunday to take part in an anti-poverty demonstration.

Saying their demands for safe, affordable housing for women have been ignored for too long, members of the group entered the abandoned house at 4 Howard St.

Once inside the home, the women hung a banner and pitched tents on the property, saying they will keep the building and provide their own affordable housing for women and their children.

"We are children of survivors, we are survivors, we are friends of survivors of violence and poverty," one protester shouted through a megaphone from a window. "For too long we've had to witness our mothers, our sisters, our friends live through violence."

The group says this action is necessary because the provincial and federal governments haven't followed through on promises for housing and childcare.

"This is necessary because those who are trying to leave violence are stuck in shelters for months instead of the few weeks they should be there with their kids," said protest organizer Anna Willats.

From CTV news.





A parallel march and occupation occured in Vancouver on the weekend in solidarity with the Toronto event.

Images from SmugMug

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Saturday, June 02, 2007

Fetal Consent for Abortions...


New Abortion Bill To Require Fetal Consent

From The Onion.

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