Edmonton Street News, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2005

3.6 MB·English

Editorial:
A new year for Edmonton Street News
‘ wt.
As I looked ence organized by Councillor Michael Phair,
through the line-up of and spoke with Lana Phillips, our new ESN
stories in this, our writer, about her own marriage, it became
first issue of 2005, I clear to me that we are not talking about an
' noticed that once more issue or Biblical principles, but about indi-
we have articles focus- viduals, people like you and me.
ing on the need for And that is what is important. Even
, shelter and affordable in a disaster as massive as Tsunami, each
housing and I wonder of the people who died or who suffered loss is
if the picture will be an individual. When we are dealing with
any different when this homelessness, or lack of housing, we are
year draws to a close. Mayor Mandel is quot- dealing with individuals. When we are talk-
ed as saying that homeless people on the ing about the commitment of marriage we
streets is "morally reprehensible", but will he are looking at individuals.
and his councillors be able to make any real Also in this issue, we have a new distrib-
inroads into changing the picture, even if utor, Lasqua Lewis, who is introduced on
they have the will to do so, without changes Page 11, and we hear from ESN writer Quinn
at a provincial and federal level? The Wade about his plans for a gathering of
appointment of two city councillors, Leibovici Aboriginal peoples to bring awareness to the
and Phair, to look into the affordable housing problem of HIV among Aboriginal families.
situation is a positive step. Allan Sheppard, And we remember Lieutenant Governor Lois
STREET NEWS Edmonton Street News writer and researcher Hole.
will be continuing to bring us stories that he We are looking for more writers, and wel-
calls "affordable housing 101" over the next come letters to the editor. Just call 428-0805
few months as we look at the housing situa- or email [email protected] with your
Edmonton Street News -
tion. letter or story idea.
~ Volume 2 Issue 1 Ted White has written to another politi- In addition to the production crew, the
cian, this time, however, some of his remarks vendors are a very important part of ESN.
Edmonton Street News is an are almost too close to the truth. Will anyone The last two issues sold out early, so we
independent publication pro- really take them seriously? I hope not. have had to push forward our printing date
duced by volunteers and sold
And then we have the "red herring" as on this issue, and to increase our circulation
by vendors on the street. Tax
receipts for donations avail- Ted describes it, of same-sex marriage and from 2,000 to 2,500 copies per month.
able on request. For tax Premier Klein taking the moral high ground By Linda Dumont
receipts make cheques for Alberta. As I attended the media confer-
. payable to:
_ The Church of Christ
In Memoriam:The Honourable Lois Hole, Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta
4 Victorious.
Editor: Linda Dumont With the passing hearts: There can be no prosperity until
ek tne ae Design: Theresa McBryan of Alberta's lieu- there is global prosperity. There can be no
“tenant-governor, Lois. — justice until therei s global justice. There can
_ _ Writers:Linda Dumont,Ted
Hole, Alberta's poor be no peace, until there is global peace."
_ : White, Lana Phillips, Allan and disenfranchised Those words resonate more strongly than
Sheppard, Quinn Wade have lost a true friend ever today, as we watch the death toll from
Photographers:Linda and a powerful advo- the Christmas Day earthquake and Tsunami
* Dumont, Quinn Wade cate. Best known for in the Indian Ocean climb without pity or
her support of the favour past 150,000 and the damage soar
- arts and education, into the high billions of dollars. We can be
The deadline for advertise-
Lois Hole also spoke proud, as Lois Hole must have been, to know
ments and submissions for
for the homeless, the that the governments of Alberta and Canada,
the next issue is Feb.7, 2005 poorly educated, the unemployed and the and individual Canadians and Albertans and
Phone: [phone] underemployed. She opened her heart and their organizations, have been generous with
Email: [email protected] arms to every Albertan. She was always money and help for victims. We can and
Address: down-to-earth. She made a point of cutting should do more. But that does not deny the
9312-109 Ave. through the pomp and formality that were fact that, thanks to the leadership and
Edmonton, AB part of her position. She had a smile, a kind example of people like Lois Hole, we have
oH ICS word and a hug for everyone who crossed already done much.
her path. We can also take heart from the fact that
Edmonton Street News editor and writer Lois Hole was not afraid or ashamed to men-
Linda Dumont met Lois Hole in 2002, when tion suffering on the streets of Bangladesh
Linda received the Queen's Jubilee Medal. and the streets of Edmonton in the same
"She always respected street vendors," says breath. Too many of us act is if poverty and
The views presented in this publiaationte:ar e Dumont, who worked as a vendor for Our suffering will disappear if we pretend they do
those of the writers. Voice and still does, from time to time, for not exist. Lois Hole knew better and said so:
ESN. "We owe it to our children and to ourselves
NEED MONEY? I heard Lois Hole gave a speech at a con- to put an end to needless suffering, wherever
ference on Canadian multiculturalism, it exists..."-including, as she often made
Canada: Global Model for a Multicultural clear, in our own streets, backyards and
State, in September 2002. She said: homes.
"We should also look beyond the borders I am not a Bible person, but I cannot
Sign up to be a vendor, of this nation and understand that, if we are help, as I remember Lois Hole, recalling the
truly dedicated to building a better country, apostle Paul's meditation on social responsi-
then we must also commit to building a bet- bility in his first epistle to the Corinthians,
Sell Edmonton Street
ter world. I've had too many conversations chapter 13:
with friends and colleagues, in which some- 1: If I speak in the tongues of men and of
News. one says, 'We have to take care of our own, angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong
first.’ Well, the trouble is, these people don't or a clanging cymbal.
realize that 'our own' extends to every person 2: And if I have prophetic powers, and
For papers call Linda Dumont at
on this earth. We owe it to our children and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
428-0805 or Lasqua Lewis at 919-5033.
to ourselves to put an end to needless suffer- and if I have all faith, so as to remove moun-
Papers can be picked up at 9312-109 ing, wherever it exists: from the streets of tains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Avenue. Call first. Edmonton to the streets of Bangladesh. 3: If I give away all I have, and if I deliver
"Don't let the selfish and the ignorant my body to be burned, but have not love, I
silence the voice of justice, the voice that gain nothing.
tells us what we already know, deep in our By Allan Sheppard
Page 2 Edmonton Street News
letter to Shirley McLellan Shirley, you're a good farm wife and you rid of health insurance premiums, let's intro-
know that if you look after the nickels the duce a system where those who use the serv-
dollars will look after themselves. It sounds ice the least get lower premiums. Let's
The author of this letter to Shirley
superficially sensible to say it would only encourage people to look after their own
McLellan, Minister of Finance, likes to share
cost $40 million to give every Albertan on health. Or what about rewarding volume, like
his views with the honourable ladies and gen-
welfare another $100 a month so they actu- we do all the time in the private enterprise
tlemen of the Alberta Cabinet. This is one of
ally had something close enough to what it world? For example, the oil industry is vital
his correspondences. Watch for further sam-
ples in future issues of ESN actually costs at a bare minimum to have a to our wealth, so the more oil products a per-
place to sleep and food to eat-- and after all son uses the more they are contributing to
D ear Shirley, that $40 million is less than one percent of our wealth. What about a rebate system for
the billions of surplus we have. But if you gasoline consumption that kicks in to benefit
start giving in to this begging for handouts only those who use quantities above the
As the year begins you are spending a lot you open a floodgate you'll never get shut. average?
of time looking at spreadsheets, preparing Freeloaders have no conscience-- if they can You are taking the helm at Treasury ata
your first budget. I'm sure you are hearing get government to write cheques they will very dangerous time Shirley. "When life
from a parade of those blamed special inter- have endless ideas of how to blow that seems like easy street, there are dangers at
est groups with their pet spokesmen who will money. the door," as those old capitalists the
all have a version of the same whiny plea: If you've had a chance to get back to Grateful Dead used to sing. It is possible a
"Alberta is rolling in money and it would only Hanna and relax a bit over the holidays you lot of softhearted Albertans who are not well
cost $X (or $Y, or $Z....) to help those poor might have bumped into some of those fel- informed could buy into the idea that we
teen moms or those unfortunate senior citi- lows from Nickelback-next to you, probably should be more generous with the least
zens or those disadvantaged natives or those the most famous folks to come out of that advantaged around us, since we seem to
endangered dolphins in Lesser Slave Lake, or town. Well, they have a song where they sing have so much. It was easy to sell good sensi-
any of an endless stream of other loser caus- "A little trick I learned from my father-in one ble cuts to a bloated government in the 90s
es.) ear and out the other." That's how you when the huge debt was looming over us.
Of course those advocates who try to should treat the bleatings of the special But you will need to steel yourself now.
sound so convincing never admit the full interest beggars. Some of your own caucus colleagues are
story. The teen moms keep having babies There are lots of us fed up with the end- even going to be infected by this thinking. It
because it's easier to have a houseful of neg- less way losers suck at the public teat, was only a couple of years ago that a task
lected kids around than to get an education Shirley, and we are counting on you to stand force chaired by government MLAs suggested
and a job. The senior citizens think they up to them. We think the fair thing is for the increases to welfare rates for example. But
should be supported from the public purse in benefits of the province's good situation to go Clint Dunford, the minister at the time, man-
luxury for decades by continuously remind- to those of us who work hard to make it hap- aged to skate around doing anything until
ing everyone "We're the people who built this pen. Why should we pay a bunch of taxes everyone (well, maybe everyone except those
province," as if doing your job for a few when the government doesn't need it? trying to live on a few hundred dollars a
decades somehow entitles you to a few more Instead of pouring money into looking after month on welfare) had forgotten about it.
decades of being looked after. And so on. lazy freeloaders or people who have messed That's the model of staying the course you
What amuses me is that those do-gooders up their lives, let's reward the people who need to emulate.
eager to tell you how to spend your money in make Alberta great, who put in long hours We didn't re-elect you and the rest of the
the budget are spending most of their own creating wealth. Alberta could be a model of Tory team to squander our money giving a
money to have comfortable lives, big houses, a new sensible approach to income tax where free ride to losers. We need to be strong. We
new cars, vacations in Mazatlan, golf club the more your income, the lower your tax need to remember that the future belongs to
memberships and all. They're not living in rate. That might get more people taking those who work hard to build it, that it's not
any want themselves, donating their responsibility for themselves, not depending the job of government to be a nursemaid.
resources to help the unfortunate. It's easy on big government to look after them. It's looking like you can count on some
to tell someone else what to do if you don't In fact, a rewards system for a lot of strong support to resist these pressures. If
have to be a model of the same generosity. things would make sense. Instead of getting Ralph can make sure the media stays full of
stories about the evils of same-sex marriage
and can do his part to sell the idea this is
the real threat to the entire stability and
health of all of us, then you can slip your
budget under the radar and have it in place
When I was 18 years old, I decidedI ple anymore because I'm on their level. I look before anyone notices.
wanted to help people.S o as a middle-class them straight in the eye because now I know And so, as you work on those spread
older teenager, I decided Iw anted to be a something all the education in the world did- sheets, just keep the basic rules in front of
therapist, the only kind of professional helper n't teach me and never could. I'm not better you, and you'll do fine:
Ib ehaidn gea ve trh esreaepni.s tO fm ecoaunrts e$,6 0c-o$n8v0en ifeonrt leya,c h tahnaybno dayn,y obnuet enlsoew. IIt''sm an opta ian fsuelr vlieces sopnr ovfiord er- The less government, the better the gov-
ernment.
hour I saw a client during my day. In my I'm a true helper. - To the victors belong the spoils.
mind, that meant one thing -S CORE!!! I _ So if you come in one day while I'm vol- To those who have, more should be given.
expected to be on Easy Street after I finished unteering, don't hold it against me that 1 Just say "No".
my education. People were important to me, can't give you an extra pairo f socks. I hope I What better way to celebrate the
yes-but the almighty dollar was, too. can give you something that will last longer- Centennial than by making sure Albertans
I finished my degree four years later and and here it is. We are all worthy in God's who behave sensibly and take care of them-
found that there were almost no jobs out eyes. We all have a place where we can con- selves enjoy the benefits of our prosperity,
there for someone with a college degree. Grad tribute to society and find joy in our lives. No rather than it being frittered away on hand-
school? OK, sure! So since my faith had one deserves to be thrown away, so don't outs to losers?
become extremely important to me, I decided throw yourself away. Look for your chance to
to become a minister. Still middle-class, still give to others, and you'll find that it comes Watching the bottom line,
not so badly paid-but now guess what? back to you a million times ovBeyr Lana Phillips
Women were still frowned upon on most Ted White
church staffs at that time, only fifteen short
years ago. I left that school after a year anda LIGHTHOUSE MISSION
half and applied for a short-term mission
program through my church. I was assigned
to work at an inner-city mission center. A LIGHT IN THIS WORLD OF DARKNESS A HABOUR IN A SEA OF TURMOIL
PHYSICAL SPIRITUAL
TRAINING MENTAL
COUNSELLING AID
FRIENDSHIP HOPE
Reverend Sedrick Vassell
10339 - 95 Street, Edmonton, Alberta
Phone/Fax [phone] - Cell [phone]
Edmonton Street News Page 3
+
The Shelter Scene
Hope Mission Annex
The newly opened annex of Hope Mission Accommodation Centre (WEAC) for the past
is a welcome addition for some homeless peo- week. She said, "There's a lot of crack heads
ple in the neighbourhood. Cowboy, who has and prostitutes and they have two cross
been staying at the Hope Mission since it dressers that stay there. I'm almost the only
opened, said, "It's OK - a lot quieter than the normal one - just me and a few others. I
George Spady Centre. They give you clean keep to myself and stay out of trouble.
socks every night if you need a pair, they "I've got four other women in the
have showers, and you sleep on a mat on the room with me. It has two bunk beds and a
floor. The floor has thermal heat from under- single in that room. The transsexuals have
neath so it's warm. rooms just like everyone else - I think that's
"Check in time is 8:15 and they kick wrong.
you out at 7. They give you a sandwich at "You get meals three times a day
night before you go to sleep and another one and snacks, and you can stay in and sleep
in the morning. It's kind of cold out in the all day if you want to."
By Linda Dumont
wintertime, but I've got friends I visit in the
morning before 9 o'clock. On Saturday and
Sunday they give you a meal ticket to go to
the Herb (men's hostel) for a bag lunch."
Cowboy has a residence near Grouard,
Alberta, but uses the shelter when he stays
in Edmonton, which is most of the time. Editors note:
John-John has been staying at the Unfortunately the one shelter in the city which
Hope Mission detox for the past few weeks. was specifically geared to transsexual individ-
He and his girlfriend are looking for a suite, uals, The Duplex, was closed last fall due to
but he said, "I'm homeless until I get my ass insufficient funding. Transsexuals are not
over to welfare. I need a doctor's appoint- homosexual. - there are many who feel that
they are females trapped in a male body or
ment, and I have a doctor as an advocate at
vice versa. On the street, they are most often
the McCauley Health Centre."
About the Hope Mission annex, he said, seen as cross-dressers who are in varying
stages in the transition from male to
"The part upstairs is mixed, but you have to
female. Some have taken hormones and have
go outside to smoke and you have to be
the appearance of a female with female
sober. I go to the detox downstairs because I
breasts, but have not yet completed the neces-
smoke. They have a coffee room and a smoke
sary surgery for a complete sex change opera-
room. On weekdays I go to the single men's
tion. Transsexuals in the process of change
hostel for breakfast at 7 a.m. They open the
are addressed as belonging to the gender they
Co-op (Boyle Street Community Co-operative)
prefer to portray so it is safer for the male to
drop-in at 7, because it's cold." female transsexual to stay at the women's
John-John's girlfriend, Margaret, has shelter than at a shelter for men where they
just.cometo Edmonton from-Red Deer. She « John-John could be physically at risk. ©»
has been staying at the Women's Emergency
men who stay for months at a time if they
Hope Mission Herb Jamieson Centre
have been assessed as incapable of working.
(the Herb) and the newly opened Hope
Others usually have to move out after a cou-
Mission Annex (the Annex) can shelter nearly
400 homeless individuals a night. As of Jan. ple of weeks, but you can return after being
7, they had only been filled to capacity for a away from the Herb for a few weeks.
While staying at the Herb, you have a
few days when some of the dorms at the
Herb had to be shut down for clean-up after bed in a dorm which holds up to 30 people,
and can use the area under your bed for
a fire started when two mattresses were
storage, or place your belongings in a storage
ignited in one of the dorms on Tuesday, Jan.
4. Sixty men from the Herb were moved into area. You receive three meals a day. Van
Vliet said they are "good meals, made high in
the neighboring annex while the dorms were
closed, but the Herb was back to 80 per cent protein and fat, so people can build up a lit-
capacity by Friday, Jan. 7. tle resistance".
John Van Vliet, manager of the Herb If you are living at the Herb, you
have to leave the shelter after breakfast and
Jamieson Centre, said, "If the annex is filled,
can check in again each evening for the next
and I doubt it will be, the city has another
area they will open up." The City said this night. If you have been drinking or are obvi-
alternative warming area will be opened only ously under the influence of mind-altering
if the shelters are over 90 per cent filled and substances, you will be turned away.
the temperatures plunge below -25 Celsius, The Herb also ha s a nursing sta-
with the wind chill. tion with three nurses on staff. If you are too
Although the basement intox area of sick to be on the street and not sick enough
the annex is for intoxicated people only, you to be hospitalized, you can stay in the med-
can walk in off the street to the warming ical unit at the Herb. This unit holds up to
centre area on the main floor and stay for 50 men and is rarely full. Men staying in the
the night. Next door, an average of 240 men medical unit can stay inside all day and get
a night stay at the Herb. To get in, you must bus tickets or cab fare to go to the hospital.
be sober, and there are some restrictions as Van Vliet said nurses see a number of men
well as an intake process, which varies with frostbite, broken arms, and other
depending upon your situation. To be injuries, as well as some with illnesses like
accepted you have to have no home address, pneumonia.
no employment and no place to go. Pa The Herb provides spiritual support,
"We do an evaluation of each person. but attending the services in optional. "We're
If they have problems we have them talk to a not dictators. If a person needs help we are
bei
social worker," said Van Vliet. "We've been there to provide help," said Van Vliet.
doing this for 75 years, so we know how to
deal with them."
How long you can stay at the Herb
depends on your situation. There are some Homeless wheelchair By Linda Dumont
Page4 Edmonton Street News
Affordable and offices they need to deal with. sure on the Liberal government in this area?
He has given two veteran councillors, And surely it is time for the Mayor and
housing in Michael Phair (Ward 4) and Karen Leibovici Council to step forward and be counted on. If
Edmonton: (Ward 1) responsibility for pursuing initia- Edmonton takes action, it can only be easier
tives around affordable housing. for the Mayor, Council, non-governmental
Are we up to i organizations and individual citizens to put
The appointment of Councilor Phair
meaningful pressure on the provincial and
the C4 makes sense. Along with Councillor Jane
federal governments, and harder for those
challenge? Batty, he represents the ward that has the governments to turn them down.
highest concentration of homeless and poorly
housed Edmontonians. On the surface, the The challenge of leadership
Commentary by Allan
appointment of Councillor Leibovici does not
Sheppard seem so logical until she points out that That's what leadership is about, in the
Ward 1 is not the ghetto of affluence it end: taking decisive action in a righteous
(This is the first of a series of commen- appears to be to Edmontonians in other cause and inviting others to join you.
taries and articles that will appear in the parts of the city. Old Jasper Place, Delton, The city may have restrictions on its abil-
ity to lead the way financially. But candidate
Edmonton Street News in this and future
Mandel seems to have pointed to a potential
issues - a kind of Affordable Housing 101
resource in the Ed Tel endowment fund.
course to introduce Edmontonians, including
Can Mayor Mandel and his council col-
the poor and homeless, to the basic challenges
leagues follow through on that option?
and opportunities of housing in our city.) Edmonton's poor and homeless are standing
A new day before us? by. Watching. Waiting.
It's a new year. There's a new mayor at Is there anything we can do to help?
City Hall. City Council has three new mem- We're open to suggestions.
bers. The other nine are returnees, but they And we will not go away.
seem to have new energy and focus. Winds of
change seem to be blowing. Will they clear
Allan Sheppard is a freelance writer and
away political and administrative cobwebs to have .
and put low-cost housing at or near the top editor, and a volunteer writer for Edmonton
of the agenda, where they belong? Or will Street News. As pensioner, he finds himself
they kick up some dust, then leave things people living on the street” from time to time on the edge of poverty and
more or less the same when the dust settles? homelessness. As a self-appointed community
It's too early to tell which way the winds elder, he thinks and worries about the needs
are blowing yet. The signs are encouraging. Mayor Stephen Mandel of children, youth, parents and others who
The mayor and key councillors have been face lives of poverty and inadequate education
talking the talk - especially the mayor. LaPerle and Thorncliffe all have significant in the midst of unprecedented wealth.
poverty and need for low-cost housing.
Promises made On October 17 In fact, maps and statistics in the
Edmonton Social Plan show that only Ward
(http: / /www.canada.com/edmonton/edmon-
6, in the city's southeastern section, does not
tonjournal/news/election/
have significant numbers of residents who
story.html?id=ace89e0f-bc49-4-99e5e70-
pay more than 30 per cent of their income
4f4f4b7aefb2),
for housing. Which means that, though
councillors Phair and Leibovici have special
The Edmonton Journal published lists of five
assignments regarding housing in the city as
priorities for action by mayoral candidates
a whole, all councillors should be interested
Bill Smith, Robert Noce and Stephen Mandel.
in and responsive to the need for affordable
Smith did not mention housing at all.
housing in their wards.
Noce listed "affordable housing" as his fifth
priority. Mandel listédi ta s his second priori- a Promiseese y et toe nec roeem e
PETER GOLDRING
ty.
In answer to the question "Why is (afford- Councillors Phair and Leibovici certainly Member of Parliament
able housing) a priority?" Mandel replied: "It's speak enthusiastically and optimistically Edmonton East
morally reprehensible to have people living about their new roles. They see opportunities
for action and seem determined to get
on the street, and it can also lead to social
results. A Fragile Future for Ukraine
problems if young people get into trouble and
Councillor Phair adds a note of caution,
families don't have proper homes." None of
though. He says the city does not have many In my capacity as Associate Foreign Affairs Critic for the
us at Edmonton Street News or in need of options to make a difference in housing. The Conservative Party, | recently acted as an observer for the
affordable housing could have said it better. real power, that is, the financial power-rests disputed Ukrainian runoff presidential election, and bore
More simply, perhaps. But hardly better. with the provincial and federal governments, witness to dramatic social and political tensions, as events
When asked, What do you propose to do neither of which seems to give affordable unfolded after the election.
about (affordable housing)?" Mandel was housing a high priority. | was asked to be the Conservative Party representative
equally clear and direct: "Take $25 million That may be true, but the city and its on the Ukraine Transparency and Election Monitoring
which the Ed Tel (the former Edmonton officials can show leadership in areas that Project, sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian
Telephones, sold to Telus with some of the they do control and put pressure on the Studies at the University of Alberta. | was honoured to
province and the federal government to accept, since my wife Lorraine is of Ukrainian descent and
income set aside in a special fund) endow- adjust their priorities. of course as a Canadian parliamentarian | have a respon-
ment fund now invests in the stock market, sibility to help emerging democracies, when asked.
The provincial government has an embar-
and lend out that money for groups that
rassment (literally) of revenue riches, thanks The runoff election was held on November 21, after the
want to build affordable housing. The city to international demand for oil and natural October election produced no clear victor. The declared
would receive a return on this investment gas. What better way to put some of that election result-that Russia favourite Viktor Yanukovych
from interest payments, similar to the money to good use and mark Alberta's cen- had won the election-plunged Ukraine into crisis, with alle-
income that could be made from lending tennial in 2005, than by setting up an gations of widespread electoral fraud. These allegations
money for a mortgage, so it wouldn't be a Alberta Centennial Housing Trust Fund or were accepted by the Supreme Court of Ukraine which on
December 3 ordered a new election. This third election for
grant." something similar? Surely the amount of the President of Ukraine will be held on December 26.
_ Mandel also suggested that "The city money such an initiative would take is
housing department should also look at how minuscule in relation to the lease and royalty For me, a main issue becomes how Ukraine can have a
revenues now pouring in. The issues can fair election on December 26, while avoiding divisive
it can become more of a catalyst to create
only be political and narrowly ideological or regionalism. To ensure the election is respected, the
affordable housing, both by giving out more moral, rather than financial. The province process must be honest and fair. Twenty-two percent of
money and creating a smoother regulatory Ukrainians are ethnic Russians, while many other
can and should be challenged on this point.
Ukrainians in eastern Ukraine seemed to favour maintain-
process." The federal government still enjoys large
ing a significant relationship with Russia, if only because
Again, it's hard to imagine anyone put- surpluses. What better way to spend some of eastern Ukraine is at present generally more prosperous
ting the options more clearly or better. the excess money collected as employment than western Ukraine. Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, is
_ Promises kept insurance premiums, for instance, than to located in western Ukraine. It was here that the mass
__ So is Mayor Mandel walking his talk, now establish an affordable housing policy and demonstrations in favour of opposition candidate Victor
thathe has the opportunity? Well, he has fund housing programs? Yushchenko were concentrated.
madea start: The current federal government is also in As | am writing this, the situation in Ukraine is unresolved,
___ + He listed housing as a priority in his a minority position. What better time to yet | sense a great desire for peace and democracy in
augural speech. apply some careful pressure to do more for Ukraine. Ukraine becomes a test-case for true democrat-
affordable housing in Canada and Alberta? ic reform for other countries on a similar path. Let us hope
has said publicly that he is looking
And what better time for Edmonton that the test is passed on December 26, with flying
pul tit 2 city offices responsible for carrying Centre-East MP Peter Goldring, who has colours.
it the City's housing policies together, so
Tt the made affordable housing one of his high-pro-
file priorities, to pressured his Conservative 495-3261 www.petergoldring.ca
Party caucus colleagues to put some pres-
Edmonton Street News Page 5
Same-sex Marriage - Supreme court decision
"Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's”
Gays and equality under the law. Klein is saying we cials cannot be compelled to perform civil or
are somehow less deserving, and less religious same-sex marriages that go against
lesbians human." their religious beliefs. It also said the Charter
Elizabeth Massiah, MSW, said, "Half of protects against "the compulsive use of
hold media the people marry in civil ceremonies. sacred places for the celebration of such
Churches will continue to be able to decide marriages" or being "compelled to otherwise
conference whom to marry. But Klein seems to want a assist in the celebration of same sex mar-
caste system. It is a tri-partite system where riages." Charitable tax status is protected.
on same-sex heterosexual couples can have a civil and "State compulsion on religious officials to
church marriage, heterosexual couples can perform same-sex marriages contrary to their
marriage have a civil, but not religious marriage, and religious beliefs would violate the guarantee
others not 'severely normal’ get something of freedom of religion under s. 24(a) of the
similar but not equal to marriage. If you Charter" Supreme Court of Canada, Marriage
At a media conference December 12, have two fountains in the park and the foun- Reference, Sec. 9, 2004
Councillor Michael Phair and a panel of tains are equal with the same water in both The government's equal marriage legisla-
speakers from the gay and lesbian communi- fountains, but one is labeled for black people tion deals with civil marriage. It does not
ty responded to Premier Ralph Klein's only and the other for white people only, affect religious marriage. The rules for reli-
December statements about same sex mar- even if the water is the same, that is still dis- gious marriage have always been different
riage and the Charter of Rights. crimination." than the rules for civil marriage. This pro-
Dec. 10, the Journal ran a story in which Murray Billett said, "First it was people tects the separation of church and state.
Klein is reported to have called same-sex on welfare, then people on AISH (Assured Religious officials have always been free
marriage "morally wrong," and said that Income for the Severely Handicapped). Who to set their own rules for religious marriage.
Klein is asking Canadians to write their fed- is next?" Some have chosen not to perform interfaith
eral politicians to "defend the traditional defi- "It is clear that Klein finds something marriages or to marry divorced persons.
nition of marriage." Alberta is the only offensive about gays and lesbians," said Their right to do so is clear and is protected
province that has openly objected to the fed- Phair. by the Charter.
eral Liberals' plan to legalize same-sex mar- Religions that are not opposed to mar-
riage. Supreme court decision of December 9th, riage of same-sex couples can hold religious
In a written statement given to the press, 2004 deals with civil marriage marriages. The United Church, Unitarians,
Phair said, "As expected, Premier Klein's Quakers, the Metropolitan Community
'new' Alberta for lesbians and gays is the The Supreme Court of Canada has given Churches, many Jewish Rabbis and some
same old Alberta - more bullying for us and the green light to the federal government's Buddhist traditions all marry same-sex cou-
our families. Premier Klein has resisted every equal marriage legislation, making it possible ples.
guarantee achieved by the lesbian and gay for parliament to pass a law extending equal Other religions, including the fundamen-
community of Alberta....And now, despite the marriage across the country. The justices talist churches and the Catholic Church,
reference of the Supreme Court on Dec. 9, it said that this would not violate anyone's however, have taken a stand against same-
is somehow all right to discriminate around freedom of religion or any other Charter sex marriage. The Canadian Conference of
marriage." rights under the Charter of Rights and Catholic Churches said, "The Catholic
And lesbian lawyer Julie Lloyd said, Freedoms. Church will continue to celebrate the sacra-
"Premier Klein and his government know full Courts in six provinces and the Yukon ment of marriage as the union of a man and
well that the recent ruling of the Supreme unanimously said the Charter requires the a woman."
Court and the marriage legislation proposed inclusion of same-sex couples in civil mar- They added that they are pleased that
for parliament does not take away from any riage. The other provinces, with the excep- the court decision does not compel religious
person - in fact it ensures that we are all tion of Alberta, have indicated that they will officials to perform same-sex marriages and
treated the same." follow suit. The Supreme Court said these - that it does not call for compulsory use of
At the media conference, she said that decisions "are binding in their respective sacred places to celebrate such marriages. In
gays and lesbians shouldn't have to go to provinces." It thus preserved the well-estab- this respect, they see this ruling as a "a very
court, but that they will if they have to lished legal principle that same-sex couples strong endorsement for religious freedom".
because it is clear that the Charter demands have a Charter right to civil marriage.
that same sex-marriage is available. The only way to take away this Charter
Another speaker, Blair Croft, said, "The right is for parliament to pass legislation
moral issue is discrimination. We have been invoking the notwithstanding clause.
marrying for 30 years, now we are seeking The Supreme Court said religious ae By Linda Dumont
What Do We Have To Offer? LOVE!
stepdaughter, whether it's legal or not. I love
her and she loves me, no question about it.
We go to church on Sunday mornings. We
don't go out and get wasted at the bars or do
things that are illegal or immoral. Most of all,
we love each other. We're not complete with-
out each other. One might say our lives are
rather boring, but we're happy to be together.
Being married means that we have cho-
sen each other for a lifetime commitment and
that we choose each other each and every
day. What does society find so threatening
about that? We try to help others who need it
whenever we get a chance. We mind our own
business and try not to judge others, but
people who don't know anything about us
except that we are two women, constantly
judge us.
If you've heard a lot about gay marriage
and you don't know any gay or lesbian cou-
Lana Phillip: Jordan Paidel were
ples, don't get caught up in all the debate
married by Pastor Mickey Wilson
from the Lambda Christian Community without asking yourself-are they really so dif-
Church two and a half years ago. ferent from the other couples I know? Why is
legalizing love and commitment such a bad
There's been a lot of hoopla around the issue? My partner Jordan and I were married
thing? That's what it's all about, after all.
possibility of same-sex marriage being legal- 2% years ago by a local pastor, and I support
Whether it's love between my partner and
ized in Alberta. Ralph Klein is determined to the legalization of what we have shared.
me, me and my stepdaughter, Jordan and
prevent that from taking place, even going so Our lives are not very different from that
her daughter, or whatever form it takes, the
far as to say that maybe the government of "straight" couples. She works part-time
bottom line is love. We love each other. And
should only license unions, leaving same-sex and I volunteer. We come home to each
that's nothing to be ashamed of.
marriage to those churches that support gay other every day. In the evenings we watch TV
and lesbian couples in committing their lives or perhaps go to a cheap movie on the week-
By Lana Phillips
to each other. So where do I stand on the end. She has a daughter, and that kid is my
Page 6 Edmonton Street News
Putting Four Wheels to the Ground and Two Arms to the Rims
SpiritWheel 2005 is a journey by wheelchair Coordinator is working on the kickoff and round up
from Edmonton, Alberta, to St. Paul, Alberta concert proposals in Edmonton. There is a 7 mem-
September 5-18, 2005, by Edmonton resident ber crew that will be going along on the actual trip,
Quinn Wade with a 6 member core crew. and many many more behind it, including people
"The idea of SpiritWheel was conceived at a
This Gathering
kitchen table over fry bread and Tim Horton's coffee,
has been requested
and spawned into a plan to wheel a distance of
specifically by the
357.4 km (222 miles) in an effort to raise awareness
people who are liv-
about HIV/AIDS and Aboriginal People and funds
ing with and affect-
for a Gathering of Aboriginal Persons living with
HIV/AIDS and their families." ed by HIV/AIDS in
an effort to share
This Gathering has been requested specifically ideas on healthy liv-
by the people who are living with and affected by ing, to learn
HIV/AIDS in an effort to share ideas on healthy liv- healthy ways of
ing, to learn healthy ways of dealing with issues dealing with issues
surrounding HIV, and to discuss effective preven- surrounding HIV,
tion and education around the spread of this ill-
and to discuss effec-
ness.
tive prevention and
Preli arrangements are underway. In St.
education around
Paul, the Rec Center/Alien landing pad is booked
the spread of this
for arrival feast and concert. Meetings are planned
with the Metis Nation of Alberta regarding doing illness.
something at Métis Crossing. The Entertainment
along the way who are giving us places to stay and
food to eat, and several Elders, Friends, Brothers
and Sisters who are doing whatever they can, some
with little or no resources, but a lot of good Prayers.
And then there are the Spirits, who have been will need include volunteer fundraisers, poster and
guiding this whole event along, and no doubt will be promotion volunteers, donations of printing and
with us on the trip. It won't be "me" wheeling, it'll be photocopying, costs or materials, and bottled water,
the spirit of the whole event." donations for other things, and materials.
The majority of funding for this endeavor is
expected to come through private channels, includ-
ing, but not limited to: businesses and/or individu-
Ify ou would like to help with SpiritWheel 2005,
als who wish to donate to this event, either in mon-
Quinn Wade has been training for a year, please call 490-8001 or email [email protected]
etary, material, or human resources, and fundrais-
with trips to St. Albert, for this project . er/promotional events. Some of the things that we for more details.
~~ AVoice inthe Sunrise
I awoke on a blustery winter day, out of frozen and given me the opportunity to fully I walked in the back door of Glen's room-
a long slumber of negativity before dawn with appreciate this experience, and I remem- ing house, down the dimly lit stairs, to the
the sudden urge to go and watch the sun- bered the words of a friend of mine who put basement room next to the furnace. The door
rise, though I didn't really understand why me back on track one day when I was sitting wasn't locked because it couldn't be locked.
until I saw it. Hustling into every warm thing on my own personal pity-pot. "There will It had been broken into so many times that
I owned, I grabbed a camera, and walkman always be people worse off than you, and the door jambe was gouged and there was no
and pushed myself out the door into the people better off than you." She couldn't locking device, but when I pushed, it resis-
deep freeze. It was still dark outside, and I have been more right. Here, I had been sit- ted. I pushed harder, and heard a butter-
longed for those hot summer days when the ting around griping about this and that, and knife fall to the floor with a clinking sound as
sun rose before I did, and I could sit out forgotten how lucky I am. It may be cold out- the door opened inward.
until 11 o'clock at night in the twilight. I side, and my feet may be freezing, but I was- I don't know who was more surprised, me
waited for the days when it took me a shorter n't floating around on the remnants of what or the man seated on the bare soiled mat-
period of time to get dressed than it did to used to be my home somewhere in the tress. "What are you doing here?" I
get to the store a block away and back. Indian ocean with my entire life, family and asked,"And where's Glen?" I recognized the
Fighting my way down the street, I battled community washed away in an instant by a man - Alf.
snowdrifts and sanded streets, and the cold giant wave. I resolved in that moment, not to I glanced around the room, at the littered
that bit at my nose until I reached the river take another moment of life for granted. I floor, the empty bottles and littered ash tray.
valley. As the dawn neared, my spirit began might miss something wonderful in the "He said I could stay here tonight
to lift. A dense ice fog covered Edmonton. My process. After all, a sunrise can only last so because I'm sick. I've got a fever," Alf said.
walkman, having frozen somewhere near long and then it's gone. Another one will "Gina (his girlfriend) has gone to the store to
Jasper Avenue had quit working, so there come along, but that's a different miracle. get me something to eat."
were no distractions from the events that Maybe it's time I watched more sunrises. He did look sick, and he had a very sore
looking infected cut on his lip. Gina came in
were about to unfold before my eyes, nor the Maybe it's time we all did.
with bread, bologna and a box of apple juice,
thoughts that would transpire in my head.
and we chatted a few more minutes.
The sun poked above the horizon, a fireball
"See this lip?" Alf asked. "I got punched
of hazy light and illuminated the sky ina Quinn Wade
by a police officer."
brilliant shade of pink. Within moments, I
"It was the other night. We went to use
blinked and a rainbow caused by the ice fog
the washroom at the police station," Gina
formed an arc around the rising sun. I
said. "This officer came out and told Alf to
thought to myself "THIS is what it's all
leave, and punched him for no reason."
about." It's so easy to get caught up in the
"I wasn't doing anything," Alf said, "Just
day to day goings-on in the world, with bills,
waiting for Gina." I wondered about that
and calls, and paperwork, and negative
police officer. Why would he punch Alf? Was
things that may happen to us, whatever they
being homeless and Aboriginal enough of a
may be, and miss out on things to be thank-
reason?
ful for. At that moment in time, I was grate-
I left them to that basement room.
ful that I have eyes that can see this miracle
Compared to the street, it was a warm place
of the sunrise, when some do not. I was where they could be together. It was a place
grateful that there were still sunrises to where they could use the wash-room, and
watch, and that I was able to get myself out
even have a shower. And, for that one night
to see them. I was thankful that I had warm they would be safe.
clothing, and even that my walkman had By Linda Dumont
Edmonton Street News Page 7
"Come home with me," said the woman to the half frozen snake.
"It's nice and warm and you'll be safe, we're just over by the lake."
She trudged along through the winter snow, and sang a song, of love.
He snuggled in, in his cold snake skin, and thanked the stars above.
When she laid him down before the fire, the snake was barely alive,
But with loving warmth and a cup of milk, it looked like he'd survive. i
When he told her, bluntly, he was.a venomous snake, :
She was troubled in dawn's first light. tt
f
“
a f
But he was a beauty, and she watched him sleep, - .
And thought of things that.could be.
While Hest ildlr ecoaimleedd tohfe rgeo,o dh ist hidnigasm otno desa tS. ooee ~ cs c ee Se 5
F 33 ‘s ; *} a
t Ste; e , & : ?* bot; ¢ ‘, ° aA -
beN e?r e
Then one day he bit her, and she ried out ina n:a nguished voice, te
“For goodness sake, you're such a snake, why cari 't you just be nice?" cae
"Because I'm not," answered the snake, "nice:is not what I do. ; ois
I complain and bite, I told you before, chonse I tried to change for. you." fA ge
4%
" “y)¢ aav e +’ “s ‘ +i ms ‘ - :
2
Her greatest sadness was not the ‘snaite’ s badness,
But her own failure to see, i“ $52 4 ae:
That a snake is a snake, and always a snake, ~
And never to change will’ he. ‘ ee
-$ 8 "Sing .
, o-28a, 7
> ae * - x
Lasqua Lewis age
Lasqua Lewis
After 25 years on the road as a profes- describes her boarding house as a "mini
sional musician, Lasqua Lewis decided she hotel," and that is just the way she wants
needed a place to call home, a network of it.
friends and a support system. This led to Lasqua has never known the security of
her present position as landlady of an inner a home in the traditional sense. She said, "I
city boarding house where, she said, she grew up on the streets. My mother was a women's: emergency shat
had no trouble finding boarders - they came criminal and we lived in 22 different towns. as a musicians’ resource centre,
to her. There are currently 12 men living at When I was 14, I ran away. I lived illegally Inspiration House, a placew h
Lasqua's house and a waiting list of others in the United States for seven years." ;
hoping to get in. At the age of 17, Lasqua became a go-go
"I played on the drag for over ten years, dancer, then started singing with a band in
at the York and the Royal hotels, so I knew Portland, Oregon. This led to her successful had ea and vader ck e
an amazing number of people,’ she career as a musician. She took a break _ Lasqua shut downe ae A Yeates:
explained. "I designed it (the boarding from touring between 1972 and 1978, tried
house) to accommodate people on AISH and other jobs varying from sales to design, and |
on welfare. For $400 a month they get room discovered herself as an artist. "Art just —
and board, and washing facilities." kind of happened. It was very good for my
Lasqua understands homelessness very self image," she said, "I do pointillism.".
well because she was always homeless as a Several of Lasqua's framed pictures
circuit musician on the road, touring the hang on the walls of the boarding house- __
United States and Canada 52 weeks of the trees rendered ii n dots of stark black ink on
year and living in hotels. Even now she
“