PACC has agreed in principle thus far regarding a possible conference on poverty - on condition that the conference lead to action. The conference has also been agreed to in principle thus far by Belinda Stronach, whom also stressed wanting a structure to our conference that would result in action.

We have thus far agreed to go forward to form a wish list of possible participants for the "square-table" symposium/conference which will be complete with opportunity for some marginalized members' plights to be heard first-hand.

PACC has also just attended as guests at the the Pan Canadian Evaluation in Montreal in Jan 2007. This evaluation is an annual in the 20th year of the International Eradication of Poverty Days worldwide.

     PACC Itinerary for Thursday, June 1st     
Location: GOODTIME Cafe 17080 Bathurst St, Newmarket, Press call 289-221-0928

7:30 pm- 7:50 pm light refreshments,
Music by Youth performing trio, Killing Independent George

7:50 pm greetings by Host/Chair Tom Pearson, welcome and brief intro to PACC
Accolades given to book storytellers followed by 1st book excerpt reading by Miss York Region, Lorraine Hanoun

8:05 pm
African Drums & Dancing group, featuring Producer/Drummer
Giles Collins of The Chaos System

8:20 pm
2nd book excerpt reading

8:25 pm
Entertainment: Newmarket Music Festival of Arts winner Sean Stephens, vocals, guitar, didgeridoo, bongos

8:50 pm
Logo winner Carly Fraser introduced, awarded, and she to make a statement
Ms. Fraser to receive $50 prize from PACC and congratulations letter signed from Aurora/Newmarket member of Parliament Belinda Stronach. She will address any Press questions at this time only.

9:10 PM
Thank – You ’s and last excerpt reading

9:15 pm- 10 pm
Open Stage Musical entertainment featuring Hurricane Mike Thompson, who’ s original song about being homeless, “Colder Days” was recently featured by Toronto newspaper Columnist, Mark Bonokoski

Special Note: Recipient award winner Carly Fraser, age 13, is the eldest of 3 sisters, a student with over a 90% average whom attends school at Park Ave Public. Carly entered through her St. James Anglican Church in Sharon, a staunch PACC supporter. PACC sees Ms. Stronach’s letter to Ms. Fraser as an admission of a poverty issue in the region and as a positive, small step, towards attending to and amending the problem. PACC looks forward to meeting with Ms. Stronach in the future to help accomplish this goal.

FOLLOW UP: This event was a resounding success. Special thanks to all the volunteers who made this event possible, and of course the talent. Special thanks to PACC Youth member Andrew for his hard pre-event work, to Caroline who's talented caricature drawings brought us much needed revenue, to Anne and Judy who(wo)manned the book sales and to Lorraine Hanoun, Miss York Region, who also read a story from our book , VOICES FROM THE EDGE;living in poverty(in York Region), aloud onstage and to Stronach representative Holly Piotrowski who paid more than lip service by not only attending but staying through the evening.I think we really opened some eyes this night. A full house, a mixture of PACCers, musicians friends and locals, greeted the hosts GOODTIME Cafe for most of the evening and so we can say all round it was a great night. Liberal/Era Banner writer Angelica Blenich was also in attendance so watch for her article on poverty in an upcoming issue!Thanks to all those who came out in support and to those who didn't your loss as you missed a great show and a great opportunity to show your support for the cause!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24 2006 Media Contact: 289-221-0928

PACC, Poverty Action For Change Coalition (of York Region) has chosen World Poverty Day to announce the bookstore release of their controversial book, Voices From The Edge; Living In Poverty (in York Region) now available at Richmond Hill’s (8705) Yonge St. Indigo location. Subsequent releases will be held at other York Region Indigo and Chapter’s Book Stores. The book tells stories of impoverished York residents in their own words of how they and their families have been forced to exist, and is designed to not only educate the public to their plight (due to little media coverage) but to also embarrass politicians into action. The group (PACC) has recently been promised an audience with Belinda Stronach and is now focusing on contacting regional politicians.

Spokesperson and book co-author Tom Pearson will be on hand on Saturday April 29 at Indigo Richmond Hill from 1 to 4 PM, signing books and recruiting new members for PACC. Recent events such as a budget offering only a 3% increase to those most in need on ODSP (Ontario’s disabilities support program) and attention paid to hunger striker Sara Anderson from Peterborough, has drawn some attention to the plight of the hundreds of thousands affected in Ontario.

Says Mr. Pearson; “ There are now over 50,000 people in York Region alone using the food-banks for survival. 20,000 of these are our children. Whereas food-banks were once the exception they have now become a necessity, and many more still are too embarrassed to ask for a handout and simply go without. Something is terribly wrong when such a rich region/society forces its most vulnerable to beg.”

To find out more about PACC or to order a copy of the book online visit www.povertyacc.com

The Sat May 1 Indigo Bookstore release for our book, Voices From The Edge;living in poverty, was a phenominal success.

Many thanks for all involved who made it happen including the very professional Indigo management/staff, and special thanks to Jen for doing the footwork to enable us to even get the book sold in there. Special thanks also to Linda who assisted Tom in representing the book and PACC onsite at Indigo.
Indigo's customers(and staff)were very receptive to our cause, and sales that day were noticebly brisk while our(Wo)manpower was there!Bestsellers of the day!?In addition to the book sales, PACC also recruited 8 new members in the three hours that we attended, so great going!

The Book will continue to be on sale, due to its initial successful launch, at Indigo Richmond Hill(8705 Yonge St.) for 90 days at which time it will be reviewed!!! Good job All!!

A tribute to the Storybook Storytellers as well as our Youth logo designer winner Carly Fraser will be held Thurs June 1 2006 7:30 -10 PM at GOODTIME Cafe 17080 Bathurst St in Newmarket N of Mulock.

Stay tuned for new releases, "Coming to a theatre(or bookstore) near you!!

For immediate Release: Friday May 23 2008

Attention: Editorial

Contact: 289-221-0928
Headline - Newmarket Fire Rocks Community - Trust set up for families

Firefighters responded to a fire in a Mulock Village townhouse complex located on Maciver Blvd in Newmarket west of Bathurst St and Keith Ave in the towns west end today.
The blaze was first noticed at approximately 10:30 AM when the occupant’s boyfriend returned from walking the dog and smelled smoke at 218 Maciver . The occupant of the unit it at which the fire appeared to start, a single mom of two children ages 7 and 15, had left for work shortly after 10:00am and returned to find her unit and her next door neighbour’s unit, also a single mom of 5 kids, up in flames. No one was injured and the cause is not yet known however the families will need lodging, food, and clothing immediately - and ultimately a new home. The fire upset residents in the close-knit community.
The Poverty Action for Change Coalition was the first community support on the scene.
PACC Chair Tom Pearson said, “We’ll make sure that help gets to these families. The Salvation Army homelessness team has been informed as well as the mental health association and other outreach is being organized including a funds and clothing donations drive. It’s always traumatic when this happens even if no one was injured. Imagine being the 7 year old boy who suddenly has lost everything in his room as well as his home.”
A fund is being set up by PACC for the families as well as donations can be made at the Newmarket downtown farmers market just east of Main street from 8:AM – 1Pm this Saturday May 24.

To inquire about making donations to the families’ call 289-221-0928 or donations can be made in a trust account for them at any TD Canada Trust - account # 3102-6302534

Release and pics / video footage by : TP Entertainment & Media

Immediate Release: Mar 17 2008
RE: Results: 2008 Youth Road Hockey Challenge

Lets put our kids back on the streets! Help save a great Canadian tradition- hug a stick!

The Friendly Neighbourhood Youth Road Hockey Challenge 2008 was greeted Fri and Saturday (Mar 14,15) past with spectacular weather and a great turnout as hundreds of onlookers and youthful participants took in the 2 day event starting with Friday night’s Town Council Challenge which faced-off the Newmarket Mayor, Council, and “ringers” against the Super Cities MS Walk team with the towners winning 5-3.

With 9 teams from as far as Georgina, the Saturday main event youth tourney pitted mostly neighbourhood against neighbourhood in friendly shinny clashes to crown winners - splashed with comedy pay-by-play - and one youth chosen for the Mike Thornhill Friendship Award. The Newmarket Mayors Charity Golf Classic “pick-up game - free to all - was a big hit as well with parents and kids alike taking part.

The Magna “Mulock Hawks” won the consolation finals over Super Cities MS Jr. Walkers by a score of 13-7 while the P&C Compostech “Roywood Redmen” defeated the Newmarket Lions Club “Yo Mama’s” (from Yonge & Mulock) in a close final 7-6, to win the Mulock Cup.

Lester Sanchez, 17, of the Brayfield Bears, won the friendship award, a $1500 RESP sponsored by PACC, Young Drivers of Canada and the Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home - with an excerpt of his nomination from the (Newmarket) Brayfield Community Association reading - “Lester has been a great asset to the community- he delivers all our flyers every week without fail and is there whenever needed. He has taken on a leadership role with the road hockey team and is an excellent role model working part time as well as continuing on with his education.”

The 4th annual challenge, which started off in a small mixed-income community, raised about $3,000 for the causes through sponsors and donations and is a tremendous community-nurturing event - in addition to a great tool to get youths active during march break no less - is already looking towards expanding next year.

Release by: TP Entertainment & Media

Media call - 289-221-0928
Photo –ops- Fri Mar 14 7 PM parking lot Newmarket Community Centre
Fri Mar 14 - 9:00 PM Gala Granada Restaurant 209 Main St S
Sat Mar 15 9:30 AM – 11:00 game action – parking lot ‘B & C”
Sat Mar 15 4 PM Finals action / outdoor entertainment / trophy

For Immediate Release:
Tues Mar 4 – 2008 -
RE: Announcement / Change in venue


Whatever Happened To Road-hockey?!

Keep a Great Canadian tradition alive!!

The 4th annual Friendly Neighbourhood Youth Road Hockey Challenge starts Fri March 14 at 7 PM with a town councilors and recreation staff challenge held in the Newmarket Community Center ‘s north parking lots followed by an (doors open 8 pm) ‘Opening Face-Off Gala” inside the nearby New Granada Restaurant located at 209 Main St South Newmarket. Councilors, staff, ‘ringers”, and other challengers including a team from the MS Walk, will lead by example by getting out and playing in a mini tourney preceding the youth challenge which happens the following day. TP Entertainment’s ‘Grapes” Fisher will add some colour comedy play by play and drop the ceremonial opening face-off between Mayor Van Bynen and a youth player nominated for the $1500 Mike Thornhill Friendship Award. As well the national anthem will be sung by international singing sensation Newmarket’s own AVA who will also perform and attend a CD signing at The Granada Restaurant at 9 PM with 50% of sales going to this years causes PACC as well as Operation Sparrow a new fund for lower income families for kids to participate free in organized activities including karate, theatre school, ball hockey and transportation. Other Gala performers include Led Sullivan specializing in Neil Young, The Beatles, and other bands from that era.

The youth portion of the event takes place on Saturday March 15 2008 with registration from 9 AM – 10:30 AM in the community centre followed by the skills competition at 9:30 AM and tournament games beginning at 10:30 in the adjacent north parking lots. The finals and consolation start at 4 PM – 6 PM with more comedy antics from play by player ‘Grapes Fisher” and as well a live national anthem rendition. The event hopes to get youth active again through March-break as they prepare for Saturdays tourney all the while raising funds for great causes including one youth to win The Mike Thornhill Friendship Award given in honour of a former (Newmarket) Mulock Village resident where the tourney started, who’s life was tragically taken outside a donutshop. This $1500 education award will be given to one youth nominated by peers and chosen as the best example of showing leadership in community relationships and friendship building ability as opposed to hockey skills.

For Immediate Release: Feb 14 2008
RE: Editorial

Committed group ‘makes poverty history” with first ever action forum in York Region to focus on poverty reduction.

The Poverty Action for Change Coalition (PACC) is pleased to announce that a series of non-partisan “square-table’ meetings, co-paneled by leading politicians from all levels of government in Northern York Region with the goal of reducing Poverty in the region, is set to begin with the 1st in the series of quarterly’s to be held at Newmarket’ s Magna Centre on Feb 20 2008.

The idea was broached in Oct 2006 at the first ever (PACC organized) rally against poverty in the region - at The York Regional Newmarket headquarters front lawn on International Day for the Eradication of Poverty from where it received various committments including regional councilor to be at the time – John Taylor - and ultimately MP Belinda Stronach - with the stipulation that it lead to action. The idea was then presented to the provincial ministry via a meeting with Minister of Community and Social Services Madeleine Meilleur and senior staff, which gave a luke - warm reception to the idea but who were receptive to further communications in its regard at that time.

The electing of MPP Frank Klees who gave support to the idea almost immediately, as well Georgina Mayor Rob Grossi, who also pledged support last Oct 17 at the PACC organized International Day for the Eradication of Poverty event at Newmarket’s Fairy Lake Park, and as well former Mayor of Aurora and future MP candidate Tim Jones, were the final touches to make for a grouping with some “teeth”.
In order that the forum is most affective, it has been agreed that representatives from all levels would need to participate and that with Northern York Region having unique issues differing from the south, it would concentrate on this geographical area at this time

States PACC Chair Tom Pearson, “ It took awhile, but we feel we have a group of gutsy community leaders who have shown their leadership by committing to finding ways to specifically reduce poverty- and in the past it has been hard to even get York Region politicians to even admit there was a problem, and in fact some still hide from it as witnessed by some non-responses we received, or rather didn’t. They should all be commended for their actions – but not too much yet, as there is work to be done!”

The first closed door meeting will be used to formalize the set-up and procedures the forum will take and will eventually receive information from everything from the private sector, agencies, individuals, education boards, and organizations - to possibly hearing from other forums such as campaign 2000 which has the added bonus of having economists information specific to Ontario in relation to poverty. The group may also add to the panel should they so choose, for the duration of the quarterly meets.

“ We have a lot of desperate people - families, children, counting on us to make things happen’ says Mr. Pearson, “ We hear almost daily from families, mostly single moms desperate to avoid things like eviction and which our system relies on homelessness prevention programs that do not provide help to the poorest, as they don’t make enough income to qualify which is ridiculously ironic. But really, we are but a conduit for the politicians who ultimately have to make those changes happen.”

Media release by TP Entertainment & Media

For Immediate Release: Oct 19 2007
Event location: Fairy Lake Park (Eagle/ Water Sts) Newmarket Ont Canada
PG 1- Poverty event helps set new world record
PG 2 - New fund offers 170 local kids a chance

Oct 17, PACC - York Region – hosted their second Stand-up and be counted against poverty event in as many years helping set a world record of support with 38.8 million people from over 100 countries - up significantly from last years 23.5 million

Highlights of the event included political guest speakers and attendees such as new area MPP Frank Klees, Regional Councilor John Taylor, Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen, Georgina Mayor Rob Grossi, and Former Aurora Mayor Tim Jones. Various federal candidates for local ridings and Councilors were also present in numbers.

The event drew 215 people who signed pledges and were officially counted towards the Guinness Book world record for people standing at once against poverty - with scores more pledging in through the PACC website. Other highlights included inspiring performances by the feature entertainment – Anam Ranaim (with David Rankine and Tara Mae Hillyer), Ava, and “Hurricane” Mike Thompson. Poems and testimonials were particularly touching including Donna, a victim of the housing and dental-health care systems and a breast cancer survivor, who struggles to survive.

Organizers, (PACC) Poverty Action for Change Coalition, also encouraged those attending - particularly the various levels of governments represented - along with church, social workers, & the marginalized to participate in a “square-table forum to find solutions to poverty. The idea started at last years event, has attracted some interest from Provincial Minister Madeleine Meilleur and commitment from MP Belinda Stronach previously; however she has since announced intentions to leave politics and therefore PACC was looking to add more allies to the idea.

Said Mr. Pearson, “ This was a great, cooperative event. The turnout from the various political levels was particularly encouraging, and not just those who spoke. Scores of councilors and others from throughout the region attended and all went out of their way to express an interest to participate in further action with PACC, to find ways to reduce poverty. It was an encouraging day”.

170 openings in Newmarket-Aurora for kids to participate free! Page down

Operation Sparrow

Also announced was the new “Operation Sparrow” a new fund offering kids and youths free opportunities to participate in karate and theatre who couldn’t otherwise afford to - with plans to add more activity choices to it in the future. The operation includes the option of applying for transportation to and from locations as well.

“PACC has been involved in this endeavour from it’s beginning and has tried to ensure it remains as user friendly as possible. We think kids deserve these opportunities today, even though ideally we wish there wasn’t a need. Offering transportation was another option we pushed, as this is often the biggest stumbling block for marginalized kids. This is an absolutely fantastic fund that took private businesses, including Robinson’s Karate and Spotlight Theatre School, to get the ball rolling, along with other caring partners. We will be challenging businesses, sports organizations, and others to participate - as we would like to include hockey, baseball soccer, dance and other activities to offer all kids a level field of play.” PACC Chair Tom Pearson said.

Anyone interested in hearing more about Operation Sparrow can call the Sparrowline @ 905-716-1447

The 2007 International Day For The Eradication of Poverty

Friends, Countrymen, Lend Me Your Voices!

World Day To End Extreme Poverty

Wed Oct 17 - 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Fairy Lake Park – Newmarket 404 to Davis W to Main S to Eagle E to park
Parking lot 2 - location S of washrooms - media check-in tent onsite
or 400 to # 9 E to Main S (right) to Eagle

Live Entertainment

“Hurricane Mike” - Anam Ranaich – Liana - You!

www.myspace.com/dulcimerhead1

www.taramaehillyer.com

www.liana.biz

Free Meals & Vouchers! Guest Speakers!

Poverty Advocates, Politicians, Faith Groups

Tell Your Own Poverty Story

Walk-on Poverty Voices Welcome!! Support, Speak or Perform!

On Oct 17 events around the globe combine to set a world record for people standing up against poverty. Join Host Tom Pearson along with a throng of entertainers, and speakers - including Regional Councillor John Taylor as well as Frank Klees the winning Newmarket / Aurora MPP - in his 1st public appearance in office!!

Special thanks to Vince’s Market, The Newmarket Farmers Market, Deli House Catering, York Region Alliance to End Homelessness and M & Y Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre, Portable Toilets, Krasman Centre, .

Entry free - donations accepted/split between PACC and “Make Poverty History” campaign.

Note: Can't make it Oct 17 but still want to have your stand-up count in support of helping set the world record? click here! http://www.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/stand-up/index.html

Link to our world Millenium site listing from France for Oct 17! - http://www.oct17.org/event.php?id_rubrique=133&idsecteurvirtuel=209&lang=fr&annee=2007

Oct 17 Fairly lake World listing at events:
www.makepovertyhistory.ca

For Immediate Release: Oct 10 2007
Event location: Fairy Lake Park (Eagle/ Water Sts) Newmarket Ont Canada
The International Day For The Eradication of Poverty Needs You!

York Region - Stand-up and be counted against poverty in a world record of support

Oct 17 is (recognized by The U.N. as) The International Day For The Eradication of Poverty also known as the World Day To End Extreme Poverty. This day is marked by events held around the world annually by poverty groups, and was started to give a voice to those living in poverty. Extreme poverty is a global issue that even Canada is not immune to, with close to a million children now living in poverty and growing - 44% living in Ontario!

PACC (York Region) hosts a friendly gathering at Newmarket’ s Fairy Lake Park from 4 – 7:30 PM and in addition to guest speakers and performers, offer a stage and microphone to those who would like to speak/sing out against poverty. The event features guest speakers such as those living in poverty, politicians, advocates for the poor, religious leaders, musicians and many others and encourages constructive engagement between attendees. Some time will also be set aside for victims of poverty to speak, and for “Plug N Play” Musicians / Rappers - however themes specific to poverty awareness and performers playing mostly original material will be given 1st priority. Expect a soothing opening ambience, with percussion-like background music overlaid with conversing attendees and followed by (see itinerary) dynamic speakers, thrilling announcements of new programs for kids, and more entertainment still! See Itinerary and Ent-release for further details.

The event is part of the Make Poverty History and United Nation’s Millennium 2000 Campaigns’ official “stand–up and be counted” number, which will be added to the totals from events world-wide in order to assist to break the Guinness Book of Records (must be counted at 5 PM) which the event helped set last year - with 23.5 million people standing at once world-wide!!

Free hot meals, refreshments, fresh produce and other vouchers, will be available. Donations on-site will be split between PACC and “Make Poverty History” campaign. www.povertyacc.com for more and email info.

PACC letter Toronto Star in reference to low income dental patient who went blind from not getting treatment below.

http://www.thestar.com/article/208644

Related News Articles
Mar 2008- Round-table on Poverty In Halton article
http://www.landlordconnect.ca/RENTnews/show_full.cfm?id=723


Liberals poverty strategy
http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=873647&auth=MARIA%20CALABRESE

Shoddy Treatment of the Poor
Nov. 17, 2006. 01:00 AM
by CAROL GOAR, Toronto Star

The first time the McGuinty government raised welfare rates, it inadvertently fumbled. The second time — which takes place at the end of this month — it chose to be insensitive.

Provincial officials claim nothing has changed.

Judge for yourself.

Two and a half years ago, Finance Minister Greg Sorbara announced a 3 per cent increase in social assistance and disability support payments (both are considered welfare). It was the first boost in 11 years.

"Whatever challenges the province faces, we must not forget the challenges faced by the most vulnerable," Sorbara said in his inaugural budget.

He set an implementation date of July 1, 2004. But the Liberals discovered that the computer software put in place by their Tory predecessors was incapable of processing a simple rate increase.

It took an astonishing 11 months to straighten out the glitch.

In the interim, the government improvised. It sent welfare recipients two lump sum payments along with their regular benefits. People on disability support got an extra $240. People on social assistance got $130.

Thanks to these top-ups, the increase was effectively retroactive to July 1.

The delivery was ham-handed to be sure. But at least the government tried to treat the province's poorest citizens fairly.

Last spring, then-finance minister Dwight Duncan announced a second increase in welfare rates. In his March 23 budget, he signalled the government's intention to raise social assistance and disability support payments by 2 per cent. No implementation date was given.

Ontarians who depend on these benefits waited for further details. None came. They asked their caseworkers when they'd see the increase. Local officials said they didn't know. They phoned the Ministry of Community and Social Services and got nowhere.

By midsummer, some turned in frustration to the Star. Using sources not normally available to welfare recipients, the newspaper ascertained that the increase would take effect at the end of November — a full eight months after the minister's announcement.

This still has not been communicated to the 420,000 people directly affected. The first notification they will get is an insert, with this month's cheque, explaining the increase.

What will not be explained is why the Liberals took two-thirds of a year to do what they announced and why they kept welfare recipients in the dark the whole time.

The increase will not be retroactive. There will be no acknowledgment — monetary or otherwise — that the government treated the province's poorest citizens shoddily.

It wouldn't be wildly expensive to show a bit of decency.

If the increase were backdated to July, a severely disabled welfare recipient would get an extra $95.90. An individual on basic social assistance would receive an additional $53.60.

The total cost would be $31.8 million.

To put that in perspective, it is the equivalent of one-third of a day's worth of provincial health spending.

It would require three hours' worth of provincial tax revenues.

Regrettably, this small injustice is likely to slip by unnoticed.

Most taxpayers don't know anyone on welfare and don't have much sympathy for those who depend on the public purse.

Most MPPs aren't inclined to go to bat for people who seldom vote.

Most journalists aren't interested in chronicling the indignities of life on welfare.

Even anti-poverty groups have stopped demanding that Premier Dalton McGuinty reverse the punitive welfare cuts imposed by his predecessor, Mike Harris. They've concluded that it is a lost cause.

In short, it would be easy for the government to deliver this month's long-delayed welfare increase without a word of apology or a dollar of recompense.

But for electors who voted Liberal in hopes of restoring the values on which Ontario was built, it would be nice to see an act of moral leadership from the premier.

For teachers who are trying to integrate character development into their lessons, as McGuinty says they should, it would be nice to point to politicians who voluntarily did the right thing.

For kids who are being taught to stand up for people who can't fight for themselves, it would be nice to see grown-ups practise what they preach.

The Liberals seemed to grasp this when they took office. They knew they couldn't solve all of the problems they inherited, but they tried to move ahead responsibly and compassionately.

Over the course of their mandate, they discovered they could get away with less. Ontario is the poorer for it.

Carol Goar's column appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
This prompted PACC to write and following "letter to the Editor the result

Shoddy treatment of the poor

Opinion, Nov. 17. published Toronto Star 2007

Kudos to the article by Carol Goar regarding our most impoverished residents of Ontario. It is becoming rarer and rarer these days to find champions of our most vulnerable, so it is welcome and encouraging to see.

As chairman of Poverty Action for Change Coalition, I can assure you that the snubbing by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has not gone unnnoticed. For the record, this pittance of a 2 per cent increase (in social assistance payments) along with the last several years back of 3 per cent combined with Mike Harris's 22 per cent cut while he was in office, makes for a grand total of a 17 per cent decrease, while rents, gas, heating, amenities, transportation and food costs have risen in that time. Are voters so greedy and self absorbed that they cannot care enough about their fellow beings to hold these politicians accountable?

I implore everyone to hold politicians of all levels accountable. Don't buy into the "it's not our department argument." Across York Region, and with 50,000 people using food banks to survive, we made changes with many new faces and mayors taking up office, including Aurora, one of Ontario's richest per capita towns, with the new mayor-elect being featured just prior to the elections as being disgusted with the shoddy treatment of our poor and wanting to effect change. Yes, change can happen, people do care, stereotypes can die and the poor do vote. So McGuinty, you'd better not fumble this one. MP Belinda Stronach, you're next.

Tom Pearson, Co-ordinating Chair, Poverty Action For Change Coalition York Region

links and letters to the editor/related media

PACC sets up York Region media group with award winning series on poverty - Below the line-
http://www.yorkregion.com/news/belowtheline

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/LettersToEditor/story/3600780p-4162160c.html

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/LettersToEditor/story/3600778p-4162138c.html

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/LettersToEditor/story/3600785p-4162176c.html

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Regional/story/3600712p-4162146c.html

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Regional/story/3610365p-4173434c.html

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/LettersToEditor/story/3610399p-4173400c.html

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/LettersToEditor/story/3610397p-4173411c.html

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/LettersToEditor/story/3610396p-4173414c.html (Melanie's response - rock on Melanie!)

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/BelowTheLine/


and of potential interest, here is an article I thought you might be interested in ("know your enemy"):

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Regional/story/3610372p-4173422c.html


http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/LettersToEditor/story/3604834p-4167020c.html

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/LettersToEditor/story/3604829p-4166995c.html
http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/LettersToEditor/story/3613351p-4177159c.html (woo hoo Kim!!!)

http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/LettersToEditor/story/3613352p-4177049c.html


http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/Video/