PSAC members in Edmonton band together to Make Poverty History

September to December 2005

The following report about activities in Edmonton to promote and support the Make Poverty History campaign and the PSAC Social Justice Fund was written by Cara More, member of PSAC/UTE 30025 and the Chair of the PSAC Edmonton Human Rights Committee .

All Northern Alberta 2005/ 2006 UDP members, Teresa Eschuk, Meraiah Krebs, Lorna Themelis, Stan Stapleton, Bonnie Suter, Cara More

In September 2005, the PSAC Edmonton Human Rights Committee, along with the support of the Regional Woman's Committee and Area Council, made a submission to the PSAC Social Justice Fund. The project proposal we submitted was "Make Poverty History, Bissell Centre/ Prostitute Awareness and Action Foundation of Edmonton (PAAFE)." Our objective was to bring awareness and educate our members and the community to poverty here at home. Our planned activities were to sell the Make Poverty History white bands weekly and present the funds raised on December 10, Global White Band Day and International Human Rights Day.

After a successful application to the Social Justice Fund our project began on October 17, 2005 . That day was significant as it was a call for "24 Hours of Feminist Action and Solidarity," which included a call to end child poverty. A highlight during our first selling date was Treats, a coffee shop located in Canada Place , Edmonton . Treats came to us and offered to donate 25 cents of each muffin sold on our white band days in Canada Place and advertise the campaign. Treats has always been a big supporter of the PSAC, and we were quite excited to have them join in the campaign.

During the eight-week campaign many union members and community members stopped to buy, donate or take information regarding Make Poverty History and the PSAC Social Justice Fund. Our campaign went on the road as well. I am a participant of the Union Development Program in the Prairies and after a presentation by one of our Prairie Regional Representative, Sister Carol Casey, the 20 participants donated well over $100. This workshop also sparked many creative ideas on how to bring awareness to Make Poverty History. Sister Bonnie Suter, CEIU 30851, wanted to wrap a building and I literally jumped out of my seat and stated that was how we'd get even more members involved and present the funds collected to our recipients. CEIU was already active in the Make Poverty History by selling the white bands to raise funds for Edmonton 's Hot Lunch Program as a local project.

This sparked a project that all UDP members got involved in. Everyone from our 1 st level (UDP) provided some input and suggestions on how to do a strategic plan on "wrapping a building." A participant suggested we wrap the Bissell Centre, which was a recipient of the local campaign. The ball started rolling from Saskatoon , where we were having the 1 st level UDP.

Over the next two-and-a-half weeks, we planned our event. Many calls and emails to local politicians, advocacy groups and members were made. With thanks to the lobbying efforts of Sister Suter, the City of Edmonton proclaimed December 10 Make Poverty History Day in Edmonton . All committees came together in a planning meeting for this event and true solidarity was exhibited.

Cheque presentation to Bissell Center and PAAFE

On December 10, we had a beautiful day with above normal temperature. The event began with members wrapping the Bissell Centre with a 300-foot banner made by PSAC members and families. Our banner had Make Poverty History along with the four demands in the campaign: more and better aid, end child poverty in Canada , cancel the debt and trade justice painted in black on our white band. A program followed with one of our Northern Alberta regional representatives, Sister Mary Veilleux, acting as the master of ceremonies. Musical guest, PSAC member and activist Brother Andy Northrup, introduced by Sister Grace Pottinger, provided us with entertainment. Sister Suter and I gave a presentation on the importance of the Make Poverty History campaign and the PSAC Social Justice Fund. NDP MLA Ray Martin and Liberal MLA Rev. Bruce Miller were guest speakers during the event.

The major highlight of our event was presenting the cheques and total food bank donations. CEIU was successful in raising $435 for Edmonton Hot Lunch Program. With the efforts of our volunteers and Treats Café, Bissell Centre and PAAFE each received $700. PSAC member contribution came to a total of $1835. Furthermore, about 10 pounds of food was collected to go to the Edmonton Food Bank during this event.

Our event has brought great publicity to the Make Poverty History campaign and the PSAC. We were on Global Six o'clock news and The Edmonton Sun, Sunday Edition.

In closing I will include two quotes:

"Fifteen years ago the Parliament of Canada vowed to eliminate Child Poverty in this country. Today we have one in six children still living in poverty. This is a situation we must not tolerate. As part of the global Make Poverty History Campaign we are asking our leaders to give More and Better aid, to implement Trade Justice, to Cancel the Debt for the worlds poorest nations and to End Child Poverty in Canada ."

– Cara More, PSAC Edmonton Human Rights Chair in press release December 9 th

"It wasn't my turn to have breakfast this morning."

Edmonton grade school student's response when asked why he was looking for a snack in the school's office.