Tough Times, Fall 2012

2012·1.7 MB·English

by  Peel Poverty Action Group

Times
Tough
Vol. 1 No. 3 / Fall 2012
POVERTY GROUP:
Say ‘NO!’ to
corporate
cash
P
eel Poverty Action Group (PPAG) wants Peel council-
lors to stop taking money from corporations to pay for
their election campaigns.
As councillors prepared to discuss increases in development
charges, PPAG Chair Edna Toth asked them to encourage de-
velopers to build homes that working people can afford.
“You know that more than 1,000 people a month use shel-
ters in Peel Region, that the one soup kitchen in Peel that is
open every day of the year, is busier than ever, and that 13,000
families may spend up to 15 years on the waiting list for homes
they can afford,” Toth said.
“Peel Poverty Action Group feels that guidance toward
building affordable homes will be better provided if councillors
no longer take money from corporations, many of whom are
developers, to cover their election expenses.”
Toth pointed out that corporate support is a longstanding
practice in municipal elections, and it is not against the law.
“We are not suggesting that councillors’ votes are infl uenced
by campaign contributions,” she said.
Divite Sarjoo begins a face makeover with the help of Petunia the Clown at Brampton-Missis-
“However, corporate and trade union contributions to elec-
sauga and District Labour Council’s fi rst annual picnic. The event took place in Erindale Park,
tion campaigns are forbidden at federal level, and forbidden
Mississauga, with everyone invited to free food and fun. Petunia had a busy afternoon with
at provincial level in Nova Scotia, Manitoba and the Province
dozens of youngsters lining up for painting . She was almost as busy as the chefs, who dished
of Quebec. At municipal level, Toronto banned corporate and out hamburgers and hotdogs to hungry visitors. More on back page. (Staff photo)
union funding effective in the 2010 election.” Read more on page 3
Inside out 2 Got a disability? 5 Food cupboard 9
A letter from jail Family Services helps out
INSIDE
Caledon eats ideas 9
Self destruction button 3 It was the best of times 6
What’s being done about poverty? 10
THIS
Words from the street 4 It was the worst of times 7
Whose trees these are I think I know Labour movement protects Canada 10
Issues on housing, food, safety and more Letters to the editor 8
ISSUE
How the powerless can win 11
New vibes for Ramadan 5 Food and medicine, all for free 9
Labour Council picnic 12
Soup kitchen for Mississauga? 9
Tough Times Fall 2012 1
ABOUT
PEEL POVERTY
Inside out ACTION
GROUP
Peel Poverty Action Group is
This is a letter from jail. The writer will be incarcerated for 15 months before the courts open to every individual and orga-
nization in Peel Region that cares
decide whether or not she is guilty.
about what poverty does to people.
L
ife here is the same as always. 7.10 a.m. to 7.15 a.m., breakfast arrives in the dark. 9 a.m. It provides a safe place where
we get out of our cells to shower and clean our cells (every other day – odd numbered people who are cash-poor and those
days, clean clothes on even days of the month) after that we sit in the ‘day room’ which who try to help them are encour-
is actually just a brick room with a TV and three metal tables with four seats attached so there’s aged to speak out.-- and The Tough
seating for 12. We sit in this room until 11 a.m. when we get put in our cells for lunch (cells Times is part of that safe place.
are 10 ft. x 16 ft) until 12.30 p.m. when we’re allowed out to ‘yard’ (a concrete area with brick The Group’s mandate is to ad-
walls that are really high and have chainlink across the top with razor wire, should we suddenly vocate for people in need and to
decide to scale the walls in an attempt to escape. We get 20 – 30 minutes of ‘yard’ per day, educate the public about poverty
unless we’re on ‘lock down’ which means that we’re locked in our cells until further notice. issues.
From 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. we are locked in the dayroom for more mindless TV, at 4 p.m. or Membership is free. Meetings
shortly before we’re locked in our cells for supper until 6 p.m. then we’re locked back in the take place at 9.15 a.m. the second
dayroom from 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. unless staff is short, then we’re in lockdown. Wednesday of every month, alter-
We have a nurse who comes to the unit with a cart and he/she then dispenses medication(s) nately in Mississauga or Brampton.
to the inmates who have a doctor’s order. If you’re in pain, unless you have that doctor’s order, PPAG is registered under the
too bad! The nurse comes three times a day, every day. Canada not-for-profit Corporations
At 8.15 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. we are locked in our cells until 9 a.m. the next day, when it begins Act.
all over again. We return to a place where there is no privacy, our most private moments Contact [email protected] to
(washroom) are done in front of someone, at some time, there’s no escaping it. be added to the email list.
We get strip-searched once a month, unless they fear a breach of security, then we’ll get
strip-searched again, this includes a team of men and women, about five or seven of them HOMELESS:
who tear our cells apart looking for contraband; we then get to clean it all up and dread the
THE VIDEO
next search. It’s jail, some may say, but we’re still human beings, with value and most times
humility which is not something you want others to see for fear it will be seen as a weakness.
Spaces and Places: Uncovering Homelessness
(I hear it’s worse on the men’s units). We have a maximum of 12-15 women and the men have
in the Region of Peel is a 15-minute DVD
40-60 per unit.
in which homeless people describe
Sometimes there are really big personality clashes, which can be hazardous to one’s physi-
their experiences.
cal health; not all women can live in harmony all the time as we all know, but there’s no place
A team from Peel Poverty Action
to go to get away from the issue at hand.
Group including a once-homeless
Writing to someone in jail can be difficult. A copy of Tough Times, for instance, is not permitted and will be re- person, will show the video to a group
turned, along with any letter sent with it. A stamped addressed envelope is not permitted either, and once again, on request. There is no charge.
all contents are returned. Enclosed with the returned material is a printed form, with tick marks indicating Email [email protected]
why delivery has been denied. This note, from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, to book a showing. Allow about 45
says: “It is your responsibility to make efforts to prevent this type of unacceptable material to be transmitted minutes for the video and discussion.
through correspondence...” But the regulations are not on the Ministry website. And each Corrections Centre The video was made by a team
has its own rules. - ET from York University, in coopera-
tion with the Social Planning Council
Illustration by Todd Foster
of Peel, financed by a grant from
the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Download: http://ppag.wordpress.
com/spaces-and-places-video/
Advertisements
Dalia Emam
Public relations specialist
Publications layout designer
416-312-4046
[email protected]
http://ca.linkedin.com/in/daliaemam
2 Tough Times Fall 2012
corporate
SELF DESTRUCTION BUTTON
cash
BY TODD FOSTER
Continued from page 1
I
n the seedy un- able frame by his arm and
Cash involved in the 2010 election in Peel:
derworld of the keeping him from stum-
Elected Caledon councillors received $44,150 be-
self-destructive, bling into traffic. “People
tween them;
one sees many painful, might think we’re gay!”
Mississauga councillors shared $153,260 corporate
sometimes humorous, he slurred. I laughed, and
and union money and the issue of campaign donations is
but often ridiculous still he clutched onto me
being studied by the city’s Governance Committee; Toth
chains of events. This because he could barely
noted that Mayor Hazel McCallion does not take elec-
instinct to avoid ‘crash- stand, let alone walk.
tion donations from anybody, thus proving that council-
ing-and-burning’ is only A grandfather for
lors don’t need corporate cash to run and win; Brampton
informed by doing just only two days, he says
councillors got $358,845 between them.
that. To live another abruptly: “My kids hate
Toth stated: “PPAG would like to save corporations
day, licking wounds me.”
the more than half-million dollars that they spend on
election donations.” wrought by misadven- Writer-artist Todd Foster shown at work at Knights Ta- “It’s pretty hard to
ture (self-inflicted or ble, Brampton, is a regular contributor to Tough Times. really hate someone,” I
Regional Council and the three Peel municipali-
not) is how we measure He sketches people and events in words and drawings, replied. “It takes a lot of
ties should ask the Ontario Government to change the
our experiences – meter based on his experience of hard times. (Staff photo). energy. I mean, do you
Municipal Elections Act so as to ban union/corporate
our indulgences. hate anybody?”
donations to municipal election campaigns in Peel Region.
I’m telling the young women on the bus that I “Only myself!” he exclaimed.
Then the municipalities should approve enabling bylaws.
am his “special-needs worker”. I’m not his “special- In the seedy world of the self-destructive, one
Such changes in the law would leave Peel’s corporate
needs worker” but it’s the best cover as I hold fast realizes many painful, regretful instances that never
donors with a half-million dollars of unused cash.
the wrists of this drunken man in his mid-fifties, as get better. They never seem humorous (to you), and
“In case that is a problem, local charities are hungry
he grasps lecherously/lasciviously, drooling on him- always leave scars. As jaded as any, skepticism be-
for money to pay for meals,” Toth concluded.
self. I’m his friend in the world and he is drinking comes religion among those who wantonly destroy
NOTE: Tough Times is produced by Peel Poverty Action Group himself to death. themselves, and yet we fill the collection plate. We
(PPAG). Edna Toth is chair of PPAG and edits Tough Times. Once I was walking him along, holding his size- become what we hate.
The Peel Poverty Reduction Strategy Committee is launching the first regional
Peel Poverty Reduction Strategy
at
The three-year Strategy will focus on
The Poverty, Health & Homelessness Conference
the following issues
● Income Security October 23 & 24, 2012
● Food Security at Sheridan College Brampton campus.
● Economic Opportunities
● Affordable & Accessible Transportation Come and hear presentations from:
● Affordable & Accessible Housing
◗ Local residents experiencing poverty & homelessness
◗ Dr. Ritika Goel, Inner City Health Associates
Over the course of the next three years, we
◗ Matthew Mendelson, Mowat Institute
will work to implement actions that ad-
dress each of the issues and reduce poverty ◗ Michael Shapcott, Wellesley Institute
in Peel. We invite you to be a part of this im-
◗ Deena Ladd, Workers Action Centre
portant work.
For more information on the poverty reduction strategy and/or the conference
please contact [email protected] or Adaoma at [phone] x 4015.
Tough Times Fall 2012 3
Words from the street
WHOSE TREES THESE ARE I THINK I KNOW
STORY AND PHOTO BY I.Q. ROSE
I
t was a blindingly sunny, winter
day with a brisk uncompassionate
wind. I drove past two trees snug-
gly wrapped in burlap to protect them
from the elements and a phone call later
discovered it’s part of Mississauga’s tree
protection strategy.
The definition of tree hoarding
begins with: ‘trees require protection
... install hoarding to protect trees and
rooting system from damage.’
This is the work of an arborist,
which is a fancy name for someone
who takes care of woody plants, espe- ed to the preservation and protection of tial stages of homelessness may mean
cially trees. A tree protection bylaw in the city’s homeless? How does the city the difference between preserving dig-
Mississauga dates back to 1976. and the Region of Peel prioritize which nity and self-worth and providing costly
An arborist with the City of essential service are to be delivered to and often ineffective services later.
Missisauga Urban Forestry Unit told me whom/ what? When did preservation Please think of our homeless popu-
they are trying to take care of our city’s of trees trump preservation of life? lation the next time you see a city tree
trees. Which raises tough questions af- Why isn’t the Region adopting the best wrapped up in burlap like a babe in a
fecting our homeless population: practices of the Urban Forestry Unit? manger.
If there is a tree protection strategy If they did, it would read something
dedicated to the preservation and pro- like this: the protection and develop- (“Whose Trees These Are I Think I Know”
tection of the city’s trees why isn’t there ment of the homeless population is one is a spin off from Robert Frost’s Stopping by
a homeless protection strategy dedicat- of our goals. Assisting people in the ini- The Woods on a Snowy Evening.)
WORDS ON HOUSING, FOOD, SAFETY AND MORE
Trash or treasure understanding that the Region of Peel Work as the employer needs see it every day. I don’t partake. I stay
I live in a residential area of Brampton. would provide rent-geared-to-income I want to work and have several jobs away.
I put my garbage and recycling out on funding, once the landlord agreed. but work is only limited and it’s often
the curb each Wednesday. Clients were approved by the land- on a needs basis for my employer. Saving the community
Every week an older man comes along lord, but when the landlord realized • Affordable housing
our street with his bicycle and backpack, most of the funding would come from More needs, more money • More long-term shelter spaces
and checks for anything ‘valuable’. the Region, the offer of apartments In Malton where I reside, there is a • More addiction services -- detox, in-
I guess he wants to salvage whatever was withdrawn, citing “problems with need for funding to assist the homeless. patient treatment -- more people are
he might be able to cash in, to get some Region of Peel clientele”. There are many with mental health, ad- overdosing
extra pocket money, for food, personal Comment: Peel Region has a responsibility dictions and in need of support. • Distribution of safer inhalation kits
items, whatever he needs. to help people with a variety of challenges. Not Malton Housing Resource Centre • Many Peel people are being referred
every effort works out. The landlord apparently is in need of more funding to increase to Toronto for services (shelters,
Immigration, inspiration had once had a bad experience and is not ready their services as the needs in the com- addictions, drink, health) which is
When I first arrived in Ontario I was to try again. munity are increasing. unreasonable.
overwhelmed with the number of so- Sharmila Dasilva
cieties available to newcomers to help Job out, food bank in A word to landlords
them settle in. I just lost my job and am embar- The walk Landlords who rent rooms and
Well done, Ontario. Inspirational. rassed about having to turn to the food Many adults are out of work; seen basements need to get on board with
bank for help. walking the streets; unemployment in- providing affordable housing to resi-
The challenge of housing discrimi- Single mother of three surance has run out and they are forced dents in Malton.
nation to go on Ontario Works. Many rent These individuals who are renting
Last month a staff member at an Affordable housing rooms which is sad. In this stage of cannot afford basic necessities and hik-
agency obtained units at an apartment A common complaint that I hear is their lives they should have something. ing the rent is not giving them the op-
building for clients with developmental that there isn’t enough affordable hous- portunity to get out of poverty.
disability, but who are capable of living ing in Peel. Working families struggle to Hanging out Landlords, please be a part of the
independently. pay rent and there is little left for other We need better places to hang out. solution rather than being a part of the
The units were secured with the things, such as food and clothing. Too much drugs, crime, prostitution. I problem.
4 Tough Times Fall 2012
New vibes for Ramadan
BY SHAILA KIBRIA-CARTER
T
housands of Muslims in Brampton son - is going through. I commend their
celebrated Ramadan this year, from parents for allowing this, it’s the best way
July 20 to August 18 -- a month of to fi ght racism and to learn about each
fasting between sunrise and sunset. other. I promised them all a gift at the
The intention is to purify and cleanse end, just for being so accepting of my
the body, and to feel the plight of the son’s practices. I also ask them to invite
poor, donating 2.5% of earnings to the my son over to their religious celebra-
needy. Our family usually gives to local tions, whether it be Christmas or Diwali,
food banks here in Brampton. etc. At the end of Ramadan, many fami-
After sunset, it is a common sight to lies give gifts to their children.
see Muslims in traditional gear heading to- During Ramadan, Muslim employ-
wards the mosques (masjids) for prayers. Shaila Kibria-Carter was the fi rst executive director of Islamic Relief Canada, writes ees may take vacation so they can use
For the past three decades, Ramadan books for children about, for instance, the use of hijab, is the newly-appointed execu- less energy during the day when eating
in Brampton has been a quiet affair tive director of Labour Community Services of Peel. (Photos courtesy of Shaila Kibaria-Carter). is prohibited, and then stay up between
within the Muslim community. Muslims Muslim youth could hang out with their ing that there is a special bond, that sunset and sunrise to eat and pray. Some
would have breakfast at 3 a.m., before friends and enjoy special foods late at they are fasting too. Brampton cashiers Brampton employers urge Muslim
the sun rises, fast for the whole day, and night, and being on summer vacation, know about Ramadan, and neighbours workers to catch a 15-minute power nap
then come home for a delicious dinner no worries about school. are extra sensitive too, asking about during their break and some others have
with their families. After midnight prayers, young Ramadan, asking about the celebration visited the mosques during Ramadan.
This year seemed different. About a people could eat and talk until sunrise, at the end of the month. I feel that Bramptonians are con-
third of the way into the month, it felt as when the fast began again. Some gro- What’s best is having my son’s necting with Muslim citizens during
if the community was coming together cery stores had ‘Ramadan sales’, putting friends come over to celebrate with us Ramadan. I like this, especially since
to make Ramadan easier for Muslim special food items at half price. even though they are not Muslim, they we as Muslims enjoy the festivities of
families. Some of Brampton’s all-night The best is meeting others at mid- just want to learn about other religions, other religions in Brampton, whether it
coffee shops had great specials, and night at a 24-hour grocery store, know- become aware of what their friend - my be Christmas, Hannukah or Diwali.
Got a disability?
FAMILY SERVICES HELP OUT
PERSONALIZED CEREMONIES FOR ALL OCCASIONS
BY KAREN POLLACK
I
magine having a developmental access the necessary support services Creative LGaiilf Mec CPabea, PshsDa RgSSeWs
disability and not being able to ac- in the community, which increased
HUMANIST OFFICIANT
cess supports in your community. their risk of becoming or remaining
What if, along with these challenges, homeless.
A creative, collaborative
you became homeless? It’s happening To bridge the gap, Family
to more and more people, and Family Services of Peel has introduced the process for developing life
Services of Peel is trying to help. Homelessness Initiative Program
passage ceremonies to mark
As of 4 July, 2011 province- (HIP). It helps people get the docu-
wide changes made by the Ministry mentation they need and connects the milestones that you
of Community and Social Services them to Developmental Services. HIP
ccoonnssiiddeerr ssiiggnniififi ccaanntt iinn yyoouurr lliiffee
(MCSS) were intended to simplify ser- also recognizes that individuals with
vices and have a single-contact entry developmental disability often face
point for adults with developmental discrimination and may have diffi culty
disability. securing housing. So the program also
Before the change, adults with devel- offers advocacy.
opmental disability got services without HIP is a short-term service for
Weddings, commitment ceremonies
documents confi rming a disability. With adults with a developmental disability
the changes, they must have a written who are homeless or at risk of being
statement of a developmental disabil- homeless. Child naming and welcome to life
ity to get help from Developmental
For more information on the HIP pro-
Funeral or memorial service
Services Ontario (DSO). gram and eligibility criteria, or other pro-
But few individuals who have a grams off ered by Family Services of Peel,
developmental disability can afford phone Intake Services at [phone] 905-339-C90e6l3e b | r watwiwon.g aoilfm lcicfaebe.com/passages
the psychological testing required for Karen Pollack is Homelessness Initiative [email protected]
documentation. So some could not Program Coordinator, Family Services of Peel.
Tough Times Fall 2012 5
It was the best of times...
(from A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, 1859)
Strike up the band! Chinguacousy Concert Band, with conductor Jamie Jarvie
wielding baton, at the Lucas Holtom Carnival Day in Leander Park, close to North
Bramalea United Church.
Lucas Holtom was only two years old when he was killed in a tornado in the year
2000. The Holtom family, with North Bramalea United Church, sponsor a free carni-
Sheila Hill exhibits dolls typical of her homeland, the island of Dominica, val every year in his memory. (Staff photo)
at the Caribbean Pavilion during Carabram. (Staff photo)
It was the worst of times...
U nions in Peel Region have taken hits over
the summer; one union even warns of
loss of Canadian research potential.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees
(CUPE) and teachers unions say new legisla-
tion slashes workplace rights negotiated over
the years.
More than 500 CUPE members were on
strike against the Region of Peel during a 12-
week period. Some got no increases, lost some
benefi ts, an employee working 30 hours a week
will rank as part-time so not entitled to benefi ts.
Seniority is affected.
The Society of Professional Engineers and
Associates (SPEA) represents engineers, scien-
tists, technologists and tradespeople who work
for Candu Energy Inc., now part of SNC-
Lavalin Inc. Union members are back at work,
but Staff representative Michelle Duncan says:
“The strike resulted in some concessions being
off the table. But it is not a great collective
agreement. It remains to be seen if the em-
ployer will retain the expertise.” On the picket lines at Candu Energy, where the Soci-
New Tradition Music adds new sound to a labour dem-
ety of Professional Engineers and Associates were on
Peel labour demonstrated at Target HQ in onstration at Target headquarters in Mississauga. In the
strike. They are back at work now, From left: Toomas
Mississauga, over staff issues following Target’s band from left are Ruben Esquerra, Juan Esquerra, and
Aasa, Mohammed Khan, Changming Xu, Constantin
acquisition of some Zellers stores. Romanescu. Jorge Cantor. (Staff photo)
66 TToouugghh TTiimmeess FFaallll 22001122
It was the best of times...
(from A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, 1859)
The art table at a Wildwood Park event. The folk having fun are Makayla Murray,
Jaylem Barnett, Nicholai Barnett, Demille Francis, Naomi Francois, Crystal Wright,
Denise Francis. (Staff photo)
It was the worst of times...
Alaine Lopez with three-
year-old twins Payton
(left) and Makaylah at a
rally trying to protect day
care centres run by the
Region of Peel. Dozens of
complaints from parents
won a two-years respite
from immediate closings,
but Regional council-
lors did not change their
minds. Alaine is working
towards an Early Child-
hood Education qualifi -
cation at George Brown
Collegiate.
(Staff photo)
DON’T GO HUNGRY
If you are struggling to make ends meet, have to choose between
paying rent or buying food, can’t afford formula for your baby, or have
more bills than income ... The Mississauga Food Bank is here to help
you.
Anyone in need and living in Mississauga is eligible to use a neigh-
bourhood food bank or other food program regardless of age, gender,
sexual orientation, religion, race or immigration status.
Visit www.themississaugafoodbank.org/getfood
or call us at 905-270-5589 or to fi nd the food program closest to you.
TToouugghh TTiimmeess FFaallll 22001122 77
Letters to the Editor
Tough Times is published
Tough Times welcomes letters from readers. Writers may use a pen name if they wish. Tough Times needs to
quarterly.
know who you are, so include a phone number and address, but your identity will not be revealed without your
permission. Letters may be edited. Email your letters to [email protected] or deliver to Knights Table, Next issue in December. Deadline
Brampton. for ads and editorial is November
1, 2012
Way to go, CMHA
We encourage and welcome volun-
teer writers, reporters, artists, cartoon-
Salvation Army Residential problems worse and can even prevent
ists, photographers, distributors and
Services Executive Director David someone from seeking support.
sales folk to join Tough Times.
Carleton calls shelter residents “...the Without support, it’s hard to re-
Please send your letters to:
broken – spiritually, fi nancially, and cover. Recovery is our core belief. It
[email protected]
in their physical and mental health” starts when someone takes the fi rst
in Jessica Henwood’s article “When step toward being a person separate Produced by:
a house is not a home”. In “Helter from his or her illness. Peel Poverty Action Group (PPAG)
Shelter”, the accompanying sidebar, One tool to battle stigma is men- Editor:
while refl ecting on his experience at a tal health promotion. The tag line to Edna Toth
shelter, Todd Foster describes people CMHA/Peel’s mission statement is:
Layout Designer:
with obvious mental health problems. ‘Promoting mental health, one mind
Dalia Emam
Not all mental health problems are at a time.’ We do that in several ways.
obvious. Obvious or not, Canadian Sherry Parsaud, Sharon Sobers, and Olivia Kinkead Our Resource Centre has a library. Contributors: (alphabetically by last name)
Simon Black, Leo Dias,
Mental Health Association/Peel work at a men’s shelter in Brampton. It is their job In addition to pamphlets, hundreds of
to help residents plan to get their own place to stay, Dalia Emam, Todd Foster,
Branch is here to help. books and DVD’s can be borrowed by
and to ensure that they know how to get social as- Randy Johnson, Fayaz Karim,
Community Support Workers from members. There’s a wealth of informa-
sistance and other kinds of help. (Staff photo) Shaila Kibria-Carter, Christine
our Assertive Community Treatment tion on our web site www.cmhapeel.ca
Massey, Ian McGillivray, Karen
(ACT) Team, Access to Recovery programs, Housing and and ‘Quick Guide’, a booklet of frequently called numbers. Pollack, Michel Revelin, I.Q. Rose,
Support Peel (HASP), Mental Health and Justice Services, People can call 905-451-2123, e-mail [email protected] Motilall Sarjoo, Edna Toth
Treat at Home, FACT Peel+ and Partnership Place, assist or drop-in at 2 County Court Blvd., Unit 102, Brampton,
Printed by: Metroland Media Group
clients in fi nding and maintain housing. We also have staff Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Our staff also goes out
Ltd.
on the Region of Peel Outreach Team helping people with into the community to distribute information and refer to
mental health issues who are homeless or at risk of homeless- services, and our educators offer mental health presentations
Advertising Rates
ness. As well, McEvenue Home Works, a minimally-funded and training.
program of last resort, helps people with serious mental ill- CMHA/Peel has been working to achieve a goal of ‘men-
ness to maintain their housing. tal health for all’ since 1962 and is now celebrating its 50th an-
Tough Times has a minimum press
In addition to providing services (all of our programs are niversary. We’ve come a long way, but there is still not enough
run of 10,000 copies, distributed
listed on our web site), CMHA/Peel is committed to break- support for many of our fellow citizens. We continue to do all
throughout Peel Region.
ing down barriers so that people can access the help they we can with the resources we have and advocate for more.
Target audience is people
need. One barrier is stigma. Stigma and discrimination from Sandy Milakovic, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association/Peel
experiencing homelessness, using
society, as well as families, friends and employers, can make Branch | 905-451-2123 | [email protected] | www.cmhapeel.ca
foodbanks and soup kitchens,
people who are struggling, plus
faith groups, social service agencies,
One year on the street A paper for all people Be nice to daycare centres
trades unions, business people, and
Today is my Far too often we are exposed to news Open letter to Peel Regional Councillors, fi led
the general public.
anniversary – one outlets which give extended coverage to with Tough Times for publication:
year on the street wealthy corporations and the govern- I cannot believe given the current To advertise in The Tough Times:
email:
and it has been the ment. But where is the people’s voice? economic situation of many of our citi-
[email protected]
best year of my Tough Times is one of the few news zens you have decided to close daycare
Phone: [phone]
life! outlets for people of all communities, centres. You are hurting families and
Randy slept here. Mail address: 287 Glidden Road, #4
I got a new job from all walks of life, can express their creating many situations for children to
Brampton ON L6W 1H9, Canada
starting today after I mop the fl oors at concerns and issues. be at risk.
Advertising rates: (sales tax extra)
church, it’s only a few hours a day for two Just reading one article by Simon In total disgust.
Business card: $60
weeks, helping the janitor where I live. Black from York University titled “Why Diane Lee Huba
1/16 page: $70
The janitor’s wife asked me where I people on welfare are poor” I was blown Mississauga
1/8 page: $100
live, I smiled and he said “I know where away by the detail coverage. The article
1/4 page: $150
he lives”, I told her, “I live right here”. stressed the inherent design of welfare, Awesome article
1/2 page: $260
She must have known already of course. its shortcomings and most important, Just seen the Summer 2012 Tough 3/4 page: $350
They were very pleased when I told the collective action the community Times edition. I absolutely loved it!! Full page: $520
them that I do about fi fty hours a month needs to take. Our article for Bramalea Community
A full page is approximately 10
of community service at two churches. This paper is the Peel Community’s Health Centre looks awesome!!
inches wide by 12 inches deep =
So much fun, I’m off to Linda’s to paper. This is its heart and soul. I can’t Christa Hiscock RN
120 square inches.
mop the fl oors. wait to read more. Thank you. Primary Care Nurse Colour $35 extra | E&OE
Randy Sunny Bramalea Community Health Centre
8 Tough Times Fall 2012
Food and medicine, all for free
STORY AND PHOTO BY IAN McGILLIVRAY
I
an McGillivray and Michelle Fruendt of time before they take note of the free bounty of food
Brampton, Ontario, check out the Elecampane and medicine in their own backyards.”
plant (Inula helenium) in the ravine behind The book he is holding is entitled ‘Edible and
Chris Gibson Recreation Centre, McLaughlin Road, Medicinal Plants of Canada’ by MacKinnon and
Brampton. Kershaw (Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon
McGillivray led a ‘Wild Edible and Medicinal Plant Libraries have it).
Tour’ recently, where Elecampine was one of many Another recommendation: The Boreal Herbal:
edible and medicinal plants found creekside. Wild Food and Medicine Plants of the North, by
Elecampane is a well-known medicinal herb that Beverly Gray (in Mississauga Library).
has been used to treat respiratory complaints includ- McGillivray says: “Before consuming anything
ing, coughs, pneumonia, asthma, pulmonary tubercu- from the wild, ask a professional, and always consult
losis, bronchial/tracheal catarrh and bronchitis. a doctor before attempting to self-medicate.”
McGillivray notes: “As people struggle to make
[email protected]
ends meet in a tough economy, it’s only a matter of www.facebook.com/Ianaturemcgillivray
Soup kitchen for Mississauga?
Am ember of Peel Poverty Action out in underground parking lots, rough- 24 Stavebank Road [phone]; at the Open Door, Square One,
Group moved to Mississauga ing it in parks, on river banks, alongside Wednesday [phone], phone ahead
to be closer to a job. But the railway tracks. Lunch and bible study at noon, Friday
job didn’t last – and he had nowhere Here’s a partial list of where cash- at the Open Door, Square One Doors open 5:30 p.m., dinner 7:00 p.m. at
to eat. poor folk can eat in Mississauga – but [phone], phone ahead St. Mary Star, 11 Peter Street South, start-
Without money for bus fare, he they can’t eat every day. (Open Door will serve food any time if they ing in November to April [phone]
can’t get to Knights Table in Brampton, Tuesday have it, which is not very often) Saturday
which is Peel’s only community kitchen Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m; Thursday Dinner 5:00 p.m. at the Freedom
that is open every day of the year. at The Compass, 310 Lakeshore Road Breakfast 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Centre, 157 Lakeshore Road West,
There may be others like him in West [phone]; at The Compass, 310 Lakeshore Road starting in November 2012, to April
Mississauga – living in one room with- Wednesday West [phone] [phone]
out cooking facilities or food storage. Dinner 5:30 p.m. Thursday If you’ve got places to add, please email
Or homeless – living in cars, hanging at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Dinner 6:00 p.m. [email protected]
FOOD
CALEDON EATS IDEAS
CUPBOARD
Hungry?
Caledon Community Services
has two new ideas in operation:
Specially designed tags mark cer-
tain food products on the shelves
of Bolton stores, letting residents
know which items the Caledon
Community Service’s food support
program needs the most.
A ‘Food Support Emergency
email list’, where community mem-
bers volunteer to donate food on
Heart Lake United Church in
request. When a specifi c food item
Brampton has opened an emergency
is in short supply, an email goes to
food cupboard to serve needy people in
the list.
the neighbourhood, as an extension of
Also operating over the sum-
the church’s Helping Hearts program.
Gaspard Ndayishimiye works his gar-
mer: workshops on growing toma-
den at the Kiwanis Centre on McMur- Volunteers help in putting together
chy, in Brampton. From soil provided packages of food. If you need a pack- toes, extreme couponing and how Yahia shows off his picture of what food
items best provide the nutrients to dif-
by the City of Brampton, he’s grown age or want to volunteer, phone 647 to read food labels for nutritional
ferent parts of the body. He is attending
thousands of tiny tomatoes and other value.
201-6434. classes off ered by Caledon Community
goodies. More gardeners are work-
Sponsors are also needed to keep Next up: “Easy Lunches for Services where children learn about nutri-
ing with plots at McMurchy and else-
Fussy Children”. tious food.
where. Phone [phone] for info. the operation going.
Tough Times Fall 2012 9
What’s being done about poverty?
S
everal organizations have ideas about what • Make it easier for workers to join unions and main-
can be done to make Ontarians better off. tain their union rights
Here are some examples: • Strengthen government enforcement of workplace
Brampton-Mississauga and District Labour laws
Council is publicizing the researches of the Ontario
Common Front, which says Ontario is in worse shape Getting there:
than the rest of Canada. There’s more poverty, great- • Recruit and train community and union leaders to
er gaps between rich and poor, and governments are publicize the Rights and Dignity campaign geo-
not putting money into vital public services. graphically, by language, by culture;
Labour Council president Motilall Sarjoo • Bring together local groups to be ready for action
speaking at a news conference at Knights Table, in 2013.
Brampton, urges everyone to talk to their MP, MPP, To join training sessions email Andria Babbington,
local councillor, to encourage them to make better [email protected] or phone [phone]
choices in spending taxpayers’ money.
“The Common Front says Ontario has the worst Seeking candidates
record of all the provinces in building affordable Yet another group is seeking candidates to run in
housing, in funding health care, education, the jus- municipal, provincial, and federal elections.
tice system, disability benefits,” Sarjoo reported. Email [email protected]
“Ontario’s budget cutbacks are not helping. Labour Council president Motilall Sarjoo at a news conference at
Strategy
Knights Table, Brampton, urges everyone to talk to their MP, MPP, lo-
Funding for emergencies affecting social assistance
cal councillor, to encourage them to make better choices in spend- Peel’s Poverty Strategists list five issues:
recipients has been cut, child benefits curtailed, af-
ing taxpayers’ money. (Staff photo) • Safe and affordable housing
fordable housing budgets reduced, and job cuts
• Food security
planned in the public sector,” he said. jobs that pay a living wage; provide sick leave; com-
• Affordable and accessible transportation
The government has reduced personal and corpo- pensation and care for injuries on the job; job secu-
• Income security
rate income taxes, claiming to encourage investment rity; retirement benefits; pay for overtime; protection
• Economic opportunity
in jobs in Ontario. But more jobs have not followed. from being penalized if you speak up about problems
Details of Peel’s Poverty Reduction Strategy will
“Governments’ choices on our behalf are not in in the workplace; the right to know in advance wheth-
be announced at a Poverty, Health and Homelessness
our best interests,” Sarjoo continued. Better social er your employer is an agency, whether the worker is
Conference at Sheridan College, Brampton, on
services are needed, paid for in part by raising cor- regarded as a contractor.
October 23 and 24, 2012.
porate income taxes, extra taxes on people being paid
Peel Poverty Action Group (PPAG) will present
more than $300,000 a year, ending tax preferences for A campaign is in the making to:
two workshops: (1) involving people with lived expe-
stock options and capital gains • Encourage workers to join unions
rience of homelessness; (2) the politics of housing
• Get support for Ontario Bill 77 – Fairness for
Rights and Dignity at Work Employees, and Bill 79– Equal Rights for Employees, Contact Tough Times at [email protected]
Good Jobs For All Coalition is campaigning for: introduced by MPP Taras Natyshak, NDP Essex. or leave a note at Knights Table.
LABOUR MOVEMENT PROTECTS CANADA
BY FAYAZ KARIM
T
he labour movement in Canada predates the armed strikers. Employers fiercely resisted collec- In 2012 the similarities to the Great Depression
Great Depression of the 1930s. However, tive bargaining and strikes. The federal government are striking.
desperate social and economic conditions persistently interfered by stopping striking workers. National healthcare, old-age pensions, child care
aided the growth of unions, spurred later by indus- In one case the military was sent into Quebec in July benefits, fair pay, reasonable benefits and reasonable
trialization. Under pressure from labour, govern- 1941. Historians argue that governments found it working conditions are under threat. Government is
ment conceded the right of workers to join unions necessary “to conciliate business.” Women’s rights intervening through legislation to undermine work-
and bargain collectively. Penalties for unfair labour also paid a heavy price. Traditionally, women were ers’ right to strike. Women’s rights continue to be
practices and a labour relations board were intro- paid only half of what a man was paid. They were battered, with the government removing a woman’s
duced. attacked for taking jobs away from unemployed right to sue for pay equity via the Charter, (except
Labour was instrumental in motivating goern- men. CCF’s Agnes Macphail countered that the for the fortunate few who are union members and
ment to implement social programs that Canadians economic system was to blame for unemployment, therefore covered by collective bargaining).
still cherish today: unemployment insurance, na- not the women. A new class of Canadians has come into being,
tional healthcare, old-age pensions and child care The Canadian labour movement arose to cor- the working poor. The government continues to
benefits. rect injustices created by large-scale industrializa- conciliate big business. Resourceful corporations
Great pain followed the rise of the unions, col- tion. Labour instigated profound and positive receive multi-billion dollar bailouts, while ordinary
lective bargaining and the workers’ right to strike. In change in Canada. Yet the goal of an ideal and just Canadians struggle to make ends meet. High unem-
a famous strikers’ parade in Estevan, Saskatchewan Canada is still elusive! The labour movement is as ployment, underemployment and poverty hinders
in 1931, the police opened fire and killed three un- relevant today as before the Great Depression. the progress of Canadians.
10 Tough Times Fall 2012