Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Twenty-five years after working as a community organizer with the Downtown Eastside Residents’ Association in Vancouver, I’ve come back to the community as a retired person, volunteering at the Carnegie Centre.

One good thing about being older is that you have actually experienced a little history. I believe there are some lessons for policy-makers in what I can remember about the Downtown Eastside.

Thirty years ago, as now, the Downtown Eastside was a poor neighbourhood. Then, as now, people with addictions were visible on the street. In those days alcohol was the drug used most often. Now it’s other drugs.

But 30 years ago the stores along East Hastings Street weren’t boarded up. We bought newspapers at Universal News. Residents could afford a few breakfasts a month at the Princess Cafe, a hot plate at Benmors, a coconut bun at the local bakery, a cheap shirt at Fields, a coffee at the Two Eagles Cafe.

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2006 - March and Rally Saturday March 4th

• Gather at the Broadway Skytrain @ 11am
• March to Grandview Park (Commercial & Charles) @ 11:30 am Rally starts at Noon - 1 pm
• To volunteer or for more information call 604-708-0447
• Wheelchair accessible, ASL Interpretation provided

Join this week’s action! Stand up for Vancouver-Kingsway on Saturday, February 25

Stephen Harper is trying to get away with the same Liberal-style ethics and patronage he campaigned against, and David Emerson is ignoring the voters of Vancouver-Kingsway. New Democrats say that voters come first, and we’re taking action.

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To: Government Of Canada

We the undersigned believe that David Emerson elected as a Liberal Member of Parliament for the riding of Vancouver Kingsway should be immediately recalled and a by election held so that the people of Vancouver Kingsway and in general all Canadians can be represented by the party and candidate of their choice.

David Emerson should immediately resign his current position in the Conservative Party and his cabinet position of Minister of International Trade. The people of Canada and in Particular the people of Vancouver Kingsway deserve proper democratic rights.

Sign the petition at petitiononline.com!

This morning it was announced that David Emerson, recently re-elected Liberal Member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway, has crossed the floor to sit as a conservative cabinet minister.

Stephen Harper campaigned on parliamentary reform, including limitations on floor crossing.

Stephen Harper had not even been sworn in as the Prime Minister and he had already broken a campaign promise.

Let Stephen Harper know you are watching!

Fax, phone or e-mail Stephen Harper and David Emerson to demand that a by-election be called immediately for Vancouver Kingsway.

The 2006 Education Schedule for the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island has been finalized. Courses for the North and Interior of BC will be posted soon.

Visit the Education page for details or head straight to the course sign up page

Funding anti-poverty initiatives in Canada is one of five priority areas for the PSAC’s Social Justice Fund. As part of this the SJF funds initiatives that support a closer collaboration between union members and low income groups in the community, particularly activities that are part of anti-poverty coalitions at the community level. These activities include the development of educational initiatives or advocacy work such as letter writing, postcard campaigns, marches, white-band days and other similar activities.

Here is a list of groups and activities in BC that received funding assistance from the PSAC Social Justice Fund.

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BC PSAC Regional Health & Safety Conference, March 11/12, 2006 (note date change), Metrotown Hilton, Burnaby

The Conference will be focusing on indoor air quality and violence in the workplace: these regional priorities were identified by the BC Caucus at the last National H&S Conference.

The Conference will be a combination of workshops, panel speakers, and planning. More details and an agenda will be available soon.

For more information phone Jack Rudd @ 604.430.5631 x 229 or 1.800.663.1655.

Online registration for the Conference is available at our old webspace or download a PSAC BC Health and Safety Conference application form and mail or fax it back. Note that if you have registered for the Conference, originally scheduled for January 2006, there is no need to re-register.

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