Calgary Journal Online

Calgary grassroots organization launches petitions calling on government to act on poverty issues

Chants of “end poverty now” were heard in the lead-up to a rally held Tuesday in front of the Harry Hays Building at 220 Fourth Ave. S.E.

The Calgary grassroots group Women Together Ending Poverty planned the event that marked the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, and used the occasion to launch two petitions calling for action on poverty issues.

Rose Ing, spokesperson for the organization, said the petition to the federal government asks “for a guaranteed annual income and to have transfer funds from the federal government earmarked specifically to improve social programs.”

Rita Kellow-Taylor, left, and Betty Lockhurst attended the rally on International Women’s Day as members of the Telecommunications Workers Union. Kellow-Taylor said, “We represent a lot of clerical people, single moms in our union, and we’re very concerned about women’s rights and their issues.”

Laura Wershler/Calgary Journal

The petition to the Alberta legislature calls for an increase in social assistance programs such as Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, known as AISH, to reflect a living wage – considered to be the income required by a family or individual to meet basic needs and maintain a safe, decent standard of living.

Ing said, “We believe that the current rates being given out are not adequate to give people wellness and dignity.”

Colleen Huston and Brad Robertson, members of Disability Action Hall, were speakers at the event.

Huston said, “Many people with disabilities are victims of abuse and live in poverty. We’re here to tell people about the need to have all social assistance programs raised to the poverty line.

“Many of us are well below what Statistics Canada considers we need to pay for our basic needs.”

Robertson said, “I’m here advocating on behalf of all the Calgarians who don’t have enough to live on.”

Holding the banner of the Telecommunications Workers Union, Local 203, were Rita Kellow-Taylor and Betty Lockhurst, both employees of Telus.

Kellow-Taylor said, “We represent a lot of clerical people, single moms in our union, and we’re very concerned about women’s rights and their issues.”

She said many women in poverty bear the brunt of all responsibility for themselves and their children. “We really have to do something to bring them all out of poverty.

“They’re all our children, they’re all our sisters.”

Retired teacher Gloria Toole said she came to the rally because, having taught in both wealthy and poor communities, she’s seen the effects poverty has on children.

She said kids in the poverty-stricken communities where she taught were learning half as much as kids in other areas because they came to school hungry and tired.

Many of these children lived in single-parent homes, she said – most led by women forced to work double shifts to keep their families going.
“I began to think I should ‘misteach’ the wealthier kids to let the others catch up,” Toole said.

About 50 people attended the lively event, carrying signs, chanting to the drummer, and clapping along to musical entertainment. Many stomped their feet to keep warm in the -14 C weather.

The final presenter, Alexa Briggs from Vibrant Communities Calgary, spoke to the need for a living wage, and noted that 60 per cent of minimum wage earners are women.

“We know that minimum wage earners and those earning less than a living wage are living in poverty based on income.”

She closed by saying, “Bringing minimum wage to a living wage is economically and socially the right thing to do. Anything less than a living wage is a poverty wage.”