OCAP Statement on 2009 Federal Budget

Today’s budget will do little to help low income Canadians. Harper’s
government has made some attempt to placate the opposition, but his
efforts will only help a shrinking fraction of the population. The
spending strategy is described as Timely, Temporary, and Targeted. Indeed
it is. It’s too little, too late, for too few. While 75 billion dollars
are given to the financial sector, there are only scraps left for the
poorest in our society.

In line with the ongoing Harper agenda, the budget emphasizes tax cuts,
instead of making real investments in housing, infrastructure and people.
He crows about investing in social housing and unemployment insurance. The
budget says that it will invest 2 billion into social housing. Sounds
great. But the cost of repairs to Ontario's housing are estimated at about
$1.2 billion. And 60,000 people are on the waiting list for social housing
in Toronto alone. Given that much of the infrastructural funding is
dependent on cost-sharing with the cash-poor provinces and municipalities,
the figures are misleading. Harper claims that he’s making things easier
for laid off workers by adding 5 weeks to employment insurance. Given that
60% of Canadians aren’t eligible, this will do little for the majority of
those suffering in the economic downturn.

As factories close and businesses go bankrupt, more and more Canadians
will need help. Unfortunately the tax cuts, benefits and incentives will
do little for them when they’re evicted, unable to obtain employment
insurance, or scraping by on welfare and food banks. A budget that would
really address the needs of the increasing ranks of poor Canadians would
raise the welfare rates, expand employment insurance in a serious way,
build new and quality social housing invest in transit, education and
health care. This budget doesn’t even try.

An economic recession that leads to layoffs, evictions and poverty is not
the time for bailing out the corporations and playing political games.
It’s the time to organize in our communities to support one another, and
to fight to ensure that the poorest, the most vulnerable, are not
abandoned yet again.

Beats for Justice!

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When: Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 9:30pm
Where: The Spill (414 George St. N)
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A fundraiser for both PCAP and a local migrant worker project

Featuring artists, poets and musicians including:
Gein Wong
John Akpata
DJ Ash
Film - Sedition
by Min-Sook Lee
Ziysah

GREAT raffle prizes!

Pay what you can!

Part of ReFrame Film Festival

Sponsors:
Peterborough Coalition Against Poverty
The Spill Café
The New Canadians Centre Peterborough
ReFrame Film Festival
Sociology Dept., Trent University
Trent Queer Collective
Trent Central Student Association
CUPE Local 3908

Background
Started in 2005 by a Trent professor and a local spoken word artist, Beats for Justice! seeks to raise awareness around issues related to borders, immigration, and Indigenous rights. Each event has raised over $1000 to support organizations who work toward human rights in these areas.

Outside EUrope

The Peterborough Coalition Against Poverty and the New Canadians Centre Present:

Outside of EURope

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When: Friday, January 23, 2009
5:15pm - 7:00pm
Where: Market Hall
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Outside of EUrope
2008 Belgrade Serbia
Directed by Amy Miller, Boban Chaldovich
27:40

Outside of EUrope is a critical, short documentary examining the exclusionary nature of EU immigration and border policies and the responsibilities that are placed on periphery countries to handle the flow of migrants and refugees. Ukraine is used as the case study. Far from the eyes of the public, and never seen before on film, the documentary takes the viewer inside the Mukachevo Detention Centre for Women and Children Refugees, as well as the Pavshino Detention Centre for Illegal Migrants and Refugees in Ukraine. Through diverse interviews that include refugees who failed in their attempt to cross into the EU, as well as officials such as the Immigration Minister for the Transcarpathia region, 'Outside of EUrope' throws light on various human right issues that incur from the expansion of the European Union.


PCAP & New Canadians Centre (NCC) are sponsoring this film and aim make the connections between (im)migration, displacement, incarceration and poverty, as well as the links between the film and the Canadian context of border oppression.

Part of ReFrame Peterborough International Film Festival

Dates of Festival: Friday January 23 - Sunday January 25
Venues: MarketHall, Showplace and the Peterborough Public Library

Weekend passes for the Film Festival are available for $25 or $12 student/unwaged. OR, you can pay by donation at each film you want to see.

Tickets available at k.w.i.c., Have You Seen, Titles, Happenstance, Bear Essentials and Common Grounds.

Visit www.quidnovis.com for film titles, venues and times and more info.

Protest against Israeli Attack on Gaza!

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When: Saturday, January 17th 2009, at 12:00pm
Where: Peterborough City Hall
What: Rally & Speak Out
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Protest against Israeli Attack on Gaza – Peterborough

This Saturday, January 17th 2009, at 12pm the Peterborough Coalition for Palestinian Solidarity (PCPS), Peterborough Coalition Against Poverty (PCAP) and the Decolonization & Anti-Racism Coalition (DARC) will rally outside City Hall to protest against the Israeli attacks on Gaza. All members of the Peterborough community are encouraged to join us in speaking out in support of the people of Gaza.

The current situation in Palestine is devastating. Nearly 800 people have been killed so far, including several hundred women, children and aid workers. Thousands of innocent people have also been injured. As a massive humanitarian crisis unfolds among Gaza’s 1.4 million citizens, Israel is prohibiting shipments of medical supplies and other necessities from entering Gaza, as well as preventing the International Committee of the Red Cross and foreign journalists from entering the area. Most Palestinians living in Gaza are now struggling to survive without basic necessities and access to medical treatment.

People around the world are protesting against the violence being carried out by the state of Israel. We call on the people of Peterborough to join the growing chorus of voices calling on Israel to end its attacks on Gaza. As PCPS and DARC member Muna Ali points out, “This rally will give the people of Peterborough a chance to join thousands of people in speaking out and condemning the state of Israel’s actions.”

For more information, please contact Ayesha Asghar at(705)-868-3699 or by e-mail at hussein.ayesha@gmail.com