Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

The PSAC-BC Human Rights Committee would like to invite all interested and available members to participate in an audio conference with Lancaster House  on “Accommodating Disabilities (to the point of undue hardship): The Tough Questions, the Up-To-Date Answers” (see below for conference description).

The PSAC-BC Human Rights Committee is supporting one playback session which is scheduled for Monday, October 16 from 12:30 pm - 2 pm to be held at the Vancouver Regional Office (#200 - 5238 Joyce Street). They are requesting that those who wish to participate to arrive at noon in order to receive the accompanying materials and get set-up for the audio conference.

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STOP THE POLITICAL KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES!

• Community Forum
• Sunday, September 17, 2006
• St. Mary’s Parish, 5251 Joyce Street, Church Basement, 2:00 PM
• Refreshments will be served
• Hosted by St. Mary’s Development and Peace Parish Committee

On September 21, 1972 in the Philippines, former dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law. For 14 years, the Filipino people suffered unprecedented human rights violations and terror — drawing the attention and sympathy of the world. The iron-fisted dictator Marcos was eventually defeated by the Filipino people and the solidarity of peace-loving people all over the world.

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By Philip Emeagwali, Harare

Globalisation, or the ability of many people, ideas and technology to move from country to country, is not new. In Africa, it was initiated by the slave trade and given impetus by colonialism and Christian missionaries.

The early missionaries saw African culture and religion as a deadly adversary and as an evil that had to be eliminated. In 1876, a 27-year-old missionary named Mary Slessor emigrated from Scotland to spend the rest of her life in Nigeria. For her efforts in trying to convert the people of Nigeria, Mary Slessor’s photograph appears on Scotland’s ten-pound note, and her name can be found on schools, hospitals and roads in Nigeria.

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via BC Human Rights Committee

Please be advised that the poster for the External Advertise CR 04 collective process for the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley area will be posted on the PSC Website at www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca on Tuesday September 5th, 2006 for 72 hours. Would you please inform staff that may be interested including all casual employees and students of the above.

Please note that preference may be given to the first 200 screened in applicants, depending upon the total number of applications received. Candidates are asked to apply on-line, applications received by other methods will not be accepted. Also note the organizational needs for the position meets Employment Equity representation rates as per HRSDC/SC HR Environmental Scan and/or the Region Multi-year Employment Equity Action Plan.
A copy of the statement of merit is attached.

3 August 2006 Baguio City

Dear President Macapagal-Arroyo and Secretary Avelino Cruz,

I am writing to express my grave concern over the unabated political killings here in the Philippines, especially the recent killing and attempted assassination of key leaders of indigenous peoples’ organizations and members of their families here in the Cordillera.

The attempted assassination of Dr. Constancio Claver, M.D. in Tabuk, Kalinga which resulted in the death of his wife, Alice-Omengan Claver and wounding of a bystander, Janet Ewag is the most recent incident which took place in 31 July 2006. This happened just two months after the killing of Rafael Markus Bangit, (8 June 2006) which up to now remains unsolved. To date there are 73 indigenous persons subjected to extrajudicial killings since 2005. Up to now not a single perpetrator has been identified and brought to justice.

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On August 6, Prime Minister Stephen Harper came one step closer to issuing a federal apology over the Komagata Maru incident. At a meeting with Indo-Canadian community leaders in Surrey, Harper declared that the federal government’s decision in 1914 to refuse entry to more than 350 South Asian passengers—all British subjects—“remains a source of sorrow”.

“I also want you to know that the government of Canada acknowledges the Maru incident and we will soon undertake consultations with the Indo-Canadian community on how best to recognize this sad moment in our history,” Harper said.

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Progressive Filipinos in Vancouver will rally outside of the Philippine Consulate offices in downtown Vancouver this Monday to call for a stop to the political killings of activists in the Philippines and for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

According to the human rights group Karapatan, since 2001 when Arroyo came to power, there have been 690 extra judicial killings of political activists and other civilians. Women and children, priests, lawyers, trade unionists, peasants and progressive politicians are included in the list of those killed. The list may be viewed at cp-union.org.

In Vancouver, a mock funeral march and protest rally and vigil will take place in front of the Philippine Consulate offices at 700 West Pender (at Granville) on Monday, July 24, 2006 from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. Rallyists will display the names and some pictures of the 690 people killed on tombstones and light candles to protest what they see as the Arroyo-sanctioned killings.

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In light of the recent arrests of 17 young Muslim men, media sensationalism and government statements have stirred public frenzy about “homegrown terrorists”, revealing a shallow multiculturalism and reinforcing the racialized national space of Canada. This discourse within the context of the War on Terror further justifies an increasingly aggressive and crusading police, security, and military apparatus both within and beyond these borders. A critical perspective, rooted in the historic and current reality about Canadian domestic and foreign policy, is necessary to address the climate of paranoia, racism, repression, and war-making. Join us for speakers, films, and discussion….

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Cheers to Jennie for sending us this report on the World/Labour Peace Forums, held recently in Vancouver. For more information about these events visit worldpeaceforum.ca and vdlc.ca.

Blogging on the World’s First Peace Forum in Vancouver BC, June 23-28, 2006by Jennie Chu, BC EO rep for PSAC-Agriculture Union

I was one of 4500 delegates registered for the World Peace Forum (WPF) and truly was grateful to Vancouver District Labour Council (VDLC) for organizing the 2-day Labour Peace Forum (LPF).

Patty Ducharme (NEVP, PSAC), Jennie Chu (AGR EO Rep, BC) and Yves Ducharme (National President, AGR).

The LPF was made possible through the generous financial support from CUPE National, PSAC, BCGEU, CUPW, BCNU, CEP, HAS, CUPE BC, HEU, CAW, COPE 378, BCFED, ILWU 500, CUPE METRO, IUOE 963, CUPE 402, MWBIU 1, UFCW, BCNU Shaughnessy Heights, CAW 2200, IBEW 258, Saskatoon Labour Council, and Campbell River Labour Council.

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Chinese Head Tax/Exclusion Redress Second Step Subject: BC Coalition Calls Head Tax Families Community Meeting

Vancouver, BC – The BC Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses and Descendants will convene a community meeting to discuss the completion of the two stage framework presented by redress groups to Canadian Heritage Minister and Beverley Oda and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Jason Kenney at a March 24, 2006 consultation in Toronto.

• Date: Wednesday June 28, 2006
• Time: 7:00 pm
• Place: SUCCESS, Choi Hall, 28 West Pender, Vancouver

The two stage framework calls for an apology and as well as urgent appropriate redress to surviving head tax payers and spouses. This was completed June 22, 2006. The second step is appropriate redress to head tax payer families to be completed by July 1, 2007, the 60th anniversary of of the Chinese receiving the federal vote and 100th of the Chinatown race riots in Vancouver.

The BC Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses and Descendants are today’s Chinese Canadians. We are from different ages, from all walks of life, all having one thing in common. They or someone in their family paid the head tax. We are neighbours, friends and family who have endured journeys of hardship, sacrifice and suffering due to the effects of more than six decades (62-years) of racial discrimination specifically targeted at the Chinese in Canada.

Active Geographies, Embodied Chronologies: Women And Struggle On The Left Coast

How do struggles for place connect to struggles for justice? What connects social and cultural activists across the decades? We invite your creative and critical responses to these questions of how women define our own relations over space and time.

B.C. has a longstanding history of colonization, whether it takes the form of land theft, the uprooting of culturally specific groups and underserved communities, or the effects of globalization on residents in the Downtown Eastside and Strathcona, to name a few examples.

This anthology follows up on discussions which began at a workshop entitled A Walk with Women Warriors: a re-mapping of Activism, that took place at the Strathcona Community Centre in 2004. That workshop opened up a dialogue in an attempt to bridge generations of west coast women activists, starting with but not necessarily limited to “East Asian Canadian” communities on urbanized Coast Salish land, particularly the neighbourhoods now described as Strathcona and the Downtown Eastside. Situated around the idea of space,’place,’ and time, the event acknowledged the role of women of colour and their allies in claiming place and identities in their struggle for a just world.

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Background

The beginnings of the National Youth Anti-Racism Network (NYAN) go back to the UN World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in Durban, South Africa in 2001, where many of the youth there identified the lack of a strong, unified youth voice on anti-racism and discrimination issues in Canada.

At a post-WCAR symposium organized by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF), in Edmonton in 2002, a group of youth, many of whom had been involved in WCAR, convened and developed a vision for a national youth network.

In 2004, the CRRF supported the development of the Network, a Website, and an ad hoc national youth advisory committee. Subsequently, in 2005, NYAN organized a youth conference in Calgary which created a momentum among Canadian youth to mobilize around anti-racism issues. Today, over 170 young anti-racism advocates are members of NYAN and the network continues to grow!

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First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are making important contributions in the struggle for social justice, equality and workers’ and human rights. Their particular struggle is a response to colonialism, domination and the policy of assimilation pursued by the Canadian government.

The fight for access to employment, housing, education, health care and other basic social services continues on a daily basis for many Aboriginal people. While the United Nations Human Development Index rates the majority of Canadian society as having one of the highest quality-of-life scores, Aboriginal peoples in Canada would place 48th among the world’s nations in the same index.

The Kelowna Accord reached between the Prime Minister, the Provincial Premiers, the Territorial Leaders and Aboriginal Leaders in November was an important first step towards improving socio-economic conditions of Aboriginal peoples and communities. The Conservative government, by not committing the funds agreed to by the previous government in the federal budget, has effectively turned its back on Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

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The PSAC, along with our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers invite you to celebrate the various “Pride” events happening in cities and communities across Canada in June or August.

“Pride Week” marks the anniversary of the “Stonewall Riots” which occurred in New York City in June of 1969. The Riots were the turning point in the increased resistance to oppression and harassment caused by policy and by government officials. A strong, diverse community of “Pride” has evolved since the riots and the PSAC is proud to be part of the continuing struggle.

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An Invitation to Agriculture Union Component members of PSAC …

• AAFC
• PSC
• DND
• CGC
• CFIA
• Para-Mutuel Agency
• CBSA

Come celebrate our “Harmony in Diversity” event during National Public Service Week. Bring a dish from your heritage and participate in our festivities and awareness programs! Please RSVP by email or phone (778) 230-3987 to to Jennie Chu, BC Equal Opportunity Rep.

• Location: 4th floor, 4321 Still Creek Drive, Burnaby BC
• Time: 10 am to 2 pm on Wed., June 14th, 2006

Download the Agriculture Union Harmony in Diversity event poster here. (pdf)

On the morning of May 27, 2006, at 05.54 AM local time (at 03.54 PM Pacific Time on May 26, 2006), a powerful earthquake shook the Special Province of Yogyakarta, inhabited by 2.6 million people, located in the central part of Java Island, Indonesia. The epicenter of the earthquake, registered 6.3 on the Richter scale, is 15 miles from Yogyakarta, the capital of the Special Province of Yogyakarta. Fatalities based on the latest official report were approximately 5,136 people, mostly the residents of the Bantul Regency, in the Southern part of Yogyakarta (population more than 770.000).

In light of this recent earthquake in Indonesia, the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (explorASIAN Festival) will turn its two free concert events at the explorINDONESIAN Batik and Arts Exhibition at the Roundhouse Community Centre into benefit concerts for earthquake relief. Admission to both concerts will be by donation and all proceeds will go to the Canadian Red Cross. We invite the Lower Mainland community to attend the exhibition and the two concerts and make a donation.

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BC Human Rights Committee Minutes of May 10, 2006 meeting

In attendance:

• Vancouver RO: Tracy Shudo (chair), Sanda Turner, Rex Go, Deanna Wilson, Parveen Deepak, Monica Urrutia (PSAC staff – minutes)
• via teleconference: Floyd Knelsen, Todd Harding, Craig Langston, Carolyn McGillivray

Regrets: Sargy Chima (there were telephone difficulties), Mandi Schubert, Katie Kassam, Carol Pegura, Ravinder Kunar

Download the May 10th BC Human Rights Committee meeings minutes, or continue reading below.

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Minutes of the HR Committee April 5, 2006
Present Deanna, Kim, Carol, Sanda and Francine

Meeting called to order at 18:06

Introductions

Discussion on how the process of becoming a delegate at any of our Conferences or coming Convention is done as well as being an observer.

Discuss on the Following items that are on the list of Resolutions for the Triennial Convention that our Observer needs to do Observers job on behalf of our committee. Carol has been selected to represent our committee as an observer.

Continue reading below or download the April 5th, 2006 BC Human Rights Committee meeting minutes (pdf).

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Lancaster’s annual Vancouver Human Rights & Accommodation Conference and Workplace Privacy Conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency, the first conference on June 8 and the second on June 9, 2006. In addition, a workshop on Attendance Management will be offered on June 7 and a workshop on Privacy of Medical Information will be offered on June 10.

Diane MacDonald, Union Counsel at the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation and Adriana Wills, Employer Counsel at Harris & Company will co-chair the Human Rights & Accommodation Conference.

Theo Arsenault, Union Counsel at Shortt, Moore & Arsenault and Lorene Novakowski, Employer Counsel at Fasken Martineau will co-chair the Workplace Privacy Conference.

Register and pay before March 2, and save $200 off each conference and workshop registration. Register 5 people for the price of 4. And register for both conferences and receive an additional discount.

For more information on the programs and prices: http://www.lancasterhouse.com/conferences/index.asp#vancouver

Some of the issues covered include:

HUMAN RIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATION

• Dealing with Mental Health Problems at the Workplace
• Harassment at Work: Current Developments
• Proving and Disproving Discrimination - The Acid Tests
• The Latest on Absenteeism and Disability Accommodation

WORKPLACE PRIVACY

• Privacy Commissions - Watching the Watchdog
• Drug and Alcohol Testing: Changing Rules, Changing Attitudes
• Whistleblowing: The Limits on Employer Confidentiality
• Union/Employer Issues: A Major Caselaw Update

WORKSHOPS

• Attendance Management Programs - Key Issues, Best Practices, Wednesday, June 7, 2006: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Privacy of Medical Information - Everything You Need To Know About Collection, Use, and Disclosure, Saturday, June 10, 2006: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

SPECIAL HOTEL RATE FOR LANCASTER ATTENDEES
We have set aside a block of rooms at the Hyatt Regency, 655 Burrard Street, for $199 per night. To reserve your room, please call the Hyatt Regency directly at 1-800-233-1234 before May 20. Be sure to mention you are with Lancaster House.

Black History Month: Labour history must include contributions of Black labour activists

Black History Month is celebrated in Canada to recognize the contributions of Black peoples to the growth and development of this country and their importance to its history.

The contributions of African Canadians are still far from being integrated into the mainstream of Canadian history. However, many now know of Mathieu Da Costa, a man of African heritage who arrived into this land in 1604 with French explorer Samuel de Champlain and who served as an interpreter between the Europeans and the Mik’ maq people. Many also know about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railway, a network of safehouses and individuals that helped Black people escape slavery in the United States.

Read more of the PSAC’s statement on Black History month at the national website.