December 1, 2013, carnegie newsletter

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BC Poverty Reduction Coalition WORKING FOR A POYER rY -FREE BC We are writing on behalf of leading food health and social policy and anti-poverty organizations in British Columbia to propo•;e CBC Vancouver hosts a cbc Right to Food Day across BC to coincide with the United Nations' World Food Day, Wednesday 16 October.

2013. Such programming would be the fir:'! of any province in Canada. and we believe internationally. Its purpose would be to highlight the issue of domestic hunger and food insecurity within BC and to focus &encourage public debate about this neglected question of public policy. We also see it as a forerunner for national programming.

Its intent would be to place the CBC's annual Food Bank Day (held later in the year). and its support of charitable giving within a wider human rights and public policy framework. The CBC has been sponsoring food banks for over 25 years. yet as Food Banks Canada and Statistic Canada data show the problem of hunger and household food insecurity within BC and across the country is now entrenched, and continuing to grow. The moral imperative to feed hungry people is indisputable and the contributions of British Columbians make BC one of the most generous provinces in Canada. Yet. as BC has had the highest poverty rate in Canada for 13 years it is clear that food banks are not a long-term solution to hunger and poverty. Food Banks Canada themselves highlight the lack of income as the key factor in the increasing demand for food banks and recommend long term policy changes such as increasing affordable housing and addressing the inadequacy of the welfare system.

These facts were most recently brought to public attention in Household Food Insecurity in Canada, 20 11 (released 2013), which finds that "food insecurity is a serious public health problem that affects 3.9 million Canadians." and, in p31ticular II 0 nof British Columbians.

This is unsurprising given that the Dietitians of Canada estimate in The Cost of Eating in BC that the average cost of a nutritious food basket for a family of four in BC is $868.43 per month. Those in low wage jobs or on income assistance struggle to purchase food and meet other basic needs. The Dietitians number one recommendation is to establish a provincial poverty reduction strategy. BC is now one of only two provinces left without one.

In the fall of2012, Dr. Olivier de Schutter. the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food toured Canada, his first official visit to an OECD country, and his findings were reported in March, 201 3. A retrospective review of his report and recommendations could provide a framework for public education and debate about the merits of right to food approaches and their application in BC, and one would hope nationally. As the Special Rapporteur noted Canada ratified the RTF in 1976 (International Covenant of Economic Social and Cultural Rights), and earer agreed to act in domestic compliance with its international obligations to realize the RTF. In this context he noted nearly 900,000 people per month in Canada are dependent on ch31'ity-based food aid and that this 'reliance on food banks was symptomatic of a broken social safety net'. This critique has been the subject of much research and action over the years but largely ignored by governments.

After 30 years of food charity, we believe it is time to engage a broad ranging public debate over the human right to adequate food, alternative approaches and the role of 'joined-up' public policy (e.g., income security. housing policy, social programs, public health. food policy ... ) in addressing widespread hunger and food insecurity.

We believe your sponsorship would be a bold and imaginative step for the CBC to take and one which would very much be in the public interest and, especially of long term benefit to the many British Columbians and Canadians across the country who are unable to put food on the table for themselves and their fami lies. What is urgently needed is an informed public debate about the right to food and its implications for public policy and the role of community organizations.

As World Food Day is fast approaching we look forward to your early response. We would of course be pleased to discuss this proposal further and assist with content drawing upon the expertise, insights and experiences of those individuals and organizations who are making this request.

BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, Irish Garner. Community Organizer Be Food Systems Network, Abra Brynne, Co-chair Carnegie Community Action Project. Jean Swanson, Coordinator Aboriginal Front Door Society, Mona Woodward, Executive Director Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, BC, Shannon Daub, Communications Director Dieticians of Canada, BC, Sonya Kupka, Regional Executive Director; Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House, Irene Jackson, Executive Director Gordon Neighbourhood House, Paul Taylor, Executive Director; Graham Riches, Professor Emeritus of Social Work, UBC Faith In Action, Susan Grace Draper, Steering Committee Representative; Public Health Association of BC, Ted Bruce (past president) on behalf of Maljorie MacDonald, President Raise The Rates, Bill Hopwood, Organizer Vancouver Food Policy Council, Brent Mansfield, Co-Chair BC Healthy Living Alliance, Mary Collins, Director cc's: CBC Vancouver;: Karen Burgess. (producer of the Early Edition); Theresa Duval) (producer of On the Coast); Stephen Quinn (presenter of On the Coast} Anne Penman (producer for BC Almanac}; National; Christopher Straw (program director CBC Radio} [This was sent to CBC Vancouver in August 2013. It was rejected. Blinders are only good for promoting further blindness. Ed.]

Raise Welfare so People can Buy Their Own Food Friday, Dec 6, is the CBC's Food Bank Day. Join Raise the Rates for the 3rd Annual Poor People's Radio show.

Friday, Dec 6: Meet @ Carnegie, 11 am • March to CBC for 12 (Noon)

Poor People's Radio, 12-1 CBC, 700 Hamilton St (&Georgia)

We want action to end hunger and poverty:

_· _·_.____·-~-

• Raise the Rates • Justice not Charity

Raise the Rates: http://raisetherates.org/

Times Time is spending many days together Treasure every moment Mend your heart from all hatred Past is the past Go on your healing journey l know it is hard to forget Memories can easily fade with the help of our Creator He will soothe your feelings and open your heart I hope in the end we will survive all of our hurt I know in my heart l cannot erase what happened to all of us Our childhood is never going to be ours Thanks to our stupid Government & Indian Affairs They should come clean It will help all aboriginal people So come on: Be clean.

All my relations, Bonnie E Stevens

Poem about getting off drugs.

I know young Lady who is busy in flight But there is not rest for she must fly every night She stand on a corner heart barren and cold 'cause of scars so deep and so old So fly Lady fly 'cause this night is too old Just look ahead and never look back Get off the drugs get on the right track Peace and rest that's a good start For then you can be close to the heart.

I know I know it might take some time Just remember one thing You're a good friend of mine.

Where: Pivot Legal Society & Megaphone Office 121 Heatley Ave. (between Alexander & Powell) It is the blue building behind the Strathcona welfare office.

When: Wed Dec. 4, 1 pm

HopelnShadows.com

Michael N ..

Pies Bot Pipelines Coffeehouse Fundraiser for the Unist'ot'en Camp For sale: pie and other desserts, coffee, tea, hot apple cider, artwork, handmade mugs, ....

s YOU'RE Invited to our Seasonal Open House uesday, December 17 Spm to 7pm Mt Pleasant Community Centre 1 Kingsway at Main Libby Davies, M.P. (our Member of Parliament)

for Vancouver East

All proceeds will go to the purchase of a new snowmobile for the winter camp.

Come learn about the work of the Unist'ot'en land defenders and support their resistance to pipelines!

FRIDAY, DEC 6TH@ 7:30PM

GCBC, 1803 E. 1st Ave Vancouver Unceded Coast Salish Territories Hosted by SrreJJm.s ofJti.irice

From the Library Hello! Below are summaries of a few books we've received and put on display this week. Come in and have a look. And a couple of quick notes: On Friday December 6, we look forward to hosting Columpa Bobb, Vancouver Public Library's Aboriginal Storyteller in Residence for 20 13. Please join us at 3:00 p.m. in the Carnegie Theatre.

For those of you who are dedicated readers of Westems, I have just refreshed the supply a few days ago.

Chicken: self-portrait of a young man for rent I By David Henry Sterry This is an account of the adventures and reflections of a young man who stumbled into the occupation of servicing lonely Hollywood women by night. This is not a newly published book, but it is new to the Carnegie library in a IOth Anniversary Edition which includes "shocking new material." If that doesn't pique your curiosity, I don't know what will.

The Book of Matt: hidden truths about the murder ofMatthew Shepard I by Stephen Jiminez.

This book began when the author, a journalist, wished to research and write a screenplay about the famous murder of Matthew Shepard near Laramie, Wyoming. Jiminez assumed, like everyone else who followed the news media, that Matthew's death was the result of an unfortunate but clear-cut case of antigay bigotry. However, after researching and interviewing more than a hundred sources, Jiminez is able to reveal an even more bizarre and complicated set of reasons behind the murder. This is a fascinating work of literary true crime.

When talent isn't enough: business basics for the creatively i!Jclined I by Kristen Fischer Many creative professionals focus nearly all their time and energy on their artistic abilities and too little on taking care of their business interests. This book is full of savvy how-to advice for artists, writers, bloggers, designers and any other kind of artistic professional for improving results from freelancing, partnerships or other entrepreneurial activity. Easy to read and very up-to-date, it' s both encouraging and very practical.

Mob Boss: The Life ofLittle AID 'A rco, the man who brought down the mafia I By Tom Robbins and Jerry Capeci.

Mob boss "Little AI" had to choose between two fami lies: the mob family he commanded, or his own

family including the son who had succumbed to the very drugs the mob helped move onto the streets.

When Little AI made his choice, it was a huge shock to Cosa Nostra, since no boss had ever before broken the code of silence. Two journalists have co-written a masterpiece of investigative reporting on this secret world. 路 Librarian)

Smoking ? 1 Criticism of low-income people often includes the caustic remonstration that "if they're so poor, why do they smoke?" Following are responses taken anonymously from a website shared by advocates.

The first is written by a woman who had kids and was working two low-paid jobs. " I smoke. It's expensive. It's also the best option. You see, I am always, always exhausted. It's a stimulant.

When l am too tired to walk one more step, I can smoke and go for another hour. When I am enraged and beaten down and incapable of accomplishing one more thing, I can smoke and I feel a little better, just for a minute. It is the only relaxation I am allowed. It is not a good decision, but it is the only one that I have access to. It is the only thing l have found that keeps me from collapsing or exploding."

"I might add that for many people, smoking supresses hunger- a cigarette is cheaper than a sandwich, and can help one get through til the next cheap meal at home. And, believe it or not, smoking can also relieve mild asthma and/or panic attacks- which are common among people coping with economic insecurity and persistent poverty in a world gone mad with greed. We get enough stigma and slander just for being "losers" in our uber competitive, consumer driven society ... and are isolated for smoking as is ...we don't need to be lectured or hectored for failing to beat such a difficult addiction on top of everything else we endure, because we don't enjoy, nor can afford, the conditions and supports conducive to quitting!

Sad truths of our stressful times ...

Being mindful is to see all aspects of something before deciding or judging. PRT

No One Is Illegal Celebrating 10 years of activism SUNDAY DECEMBER 15TH@ 1-5 PM Lunch served at 1 pm, event from 2-5 pm Bonsor Community Center, 6550 Bonsor Avenue

* Opening by Cease Wyss and Cecilia Point * Keynote by Indigenous feminist activist and author Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

* Musicians include 2POC and Dalannah Gail Bowen

* Art installation, graphic history, and participatory art mural * Launch of Harsha Walia's book "Undoing Border Imperialism" including reading by CBC Canada Reads award-winning author Carmen Aguirre

This is a free event. No One Is Illegal is a grassroots all-volunteer group that advocates for immigrant and refugee rights and aims to strengthen our communities against racism, oppression, and colonialism.

For info call 778 885 0040 or email noii-van@ resist d

Special Friends I believe in having true friends To help with whatever toils you have No judgment coming from them To understand your emotional mood though, You or they need to listen.

Friends are special in your lifestyle To open your eyes in' the most understanding way To care and share all emotional feelings In the most special way friends love us No matter what All my relations, Bonnie E Stevens

THE RIGHT -WING LOWDOWN HOEDOWN

7

Okay, let's all do a little of that heel and a toe, a heel an' toe. And now all you lucky businessmen grab yourself an eager politician, and turn 'em around, turn 'em around . And let's all scratch, scratch, scratch his back. Scratch it good an' scratch it right. All trade places now an' he'll scratch yours, an' he'll scratch yours. Take that friendly politician in your grasp, squeeze 'em tight an' a make 'em gasp. T~irl an' spin 'em fast, an' all together turn to the right, to the right.

All right now, that's enough of that!

Let's try to keep it nice, so why don't we go an' dosido, dosido, and allemande right. That's right, allemande right. All come together now and let's join hands. Make a big circle and turn it to the right, turn it to the right, it's always, always to the right. Farther an' farther to the right. Everybody now! Let's all stop.

Because you're all so great, you deserve a real good break. That's right! • We're giving you all a big taxbreak! So take a bow an' clap & cheer, clap an' cheer.

Take your partner and step right up to the trough, that stinkin' trough. And 1-2-3 all jump in and go completely hog-wild. All right now let's all jump out, and 2 by 2 let's march to the right. That's right, it's always farther an' farther to the right. Let's find out how far we can take it to the right, to the right.

By Ken Morrison

CRUNCH CALENDARS FOR SALE ___Jim Dewar has been publishing his Crunch cartoons in the Carnegie Newsletter for several years. A calendar featuring his work is now available for $10. phone 604-569-4310 or email jimdewarll@gmail.com

SFU Woodward's Cultural Programs and Vancouver Moving Theatre co-present, with support from SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement

BAH! HUMBUG! A benefit for the Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival PREVIEW, DECEMBER 11, 7:30 $10

DECEMBER 12-14rH, 7:30.

2pm MATINEE on 14th

$25 I $15 (child/student/senior) ADVANCE TICKETS- sfuwoodwards.ca AT THE DOOR: WONG THEATRE, 149 W. HASTINGS ST COMMMUNITY TICKETS AVAILABLE A limited number of community tickets are available on first come first serve basis at no charge through Carnegie Community Centre. Enquire Third Floor office. Limit 2 per person .

FEATURING OVER 20 POPULAR & SEASONAL SONGS, SING-ALONG, REFRESHMENTS &TURKEY DRAW

WITH JIM BRYNES, SAM BOB, MARGO KANE, SlEVEN LYTTON, STEVE MADDOCK, MIKE RICHTER, NEIL WEISENSEL and others, plus TWO NEW SONGS WITH LYRICS BY PATRICK FOLEY AND LEITH HARRIS. A contemporary adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Bah! Humbug! parallels the economic disparities between Victorian England and Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The setting is reconceived where Scrooge owns a pawn shop on Hastings Street; this imaginative production offers a new twist on a cherished classic!

SCROOGE: "If I had my way, every idiot with 'Merry Christmess' on his lips'd be cooked with his own turkey and buried with a stake of holly up his butt!"

SCROOGE: "One more peep out of you, Bobby Cratchit, and you'll be spending your Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Malanka or whatever you call it - unemployed. As for you nephew, you should go into politics. You talk enough bull!''

HomeGround Festival Singing Workshops Singing Workshops facilitated by Sandy Scofield.

In a 6 week workshop leading up to the HomeGround Festival in February, Sandy will guide you through Contemporary and Traditional Music, leading to a festival performance.

Introductory Session Monday Dec 16" 1-3pm in the Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main St. Everyone Welcome!

Workshops will continue

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Fake Greens & Real Greens: Part Four Gregor Robertson was elected mayor of Vancouver in 2008. Robertson had become rich by heading up a fruit juice company called' Happy Planet'.

He'd also been briefly a one term New Democratic Member of the Legislative Assembly for Vancouver\ Fairview from 2005 to 2008. He claimed to be a Green or a strong environmentalist. ( "I will be the greenest mayor you've ever seen," Robertson vowed after he and his Vision Vancouver team won the 2008 city election. He also promised to end homelessness by 2015 . But he won't be able to keep thi s promise because of lack of co-operation from the provincial and federal governments.

Robertson and his Vision Vancouver team that control council , school board and parks board, have put forward green irtitiatives. The Robertson government has changed recycling methods, started sometimes controversial bike lanes and continued to encourage the building of lane houses. The lane housing program was started by Robertson's predecessor mayor Sam Sullivan. In any case Robertson has shown an environmentally friendly side.

Yet at the same time Robertson has shown that he listens very closely to realtors and gives them a lot of what they want. In the 20 11 election Vision Vancouver took about $2 million from business people, realtors and others to finance their campaign. Unions kicked in some money too, but union contributions were dwarfed by business and realtor donations.

Suddenly in 201 1 and a fter whole areas ofVancou-

ver were rezoned to make way for massive condominiums. The areas ofMarpole, Kitsilano, the West End, Oakridge, Grandview Woodlands and especially the Downtown Eastside were slated for massive redevelopment.

Expensive condominiums wi ll likely go up in these areas. Yet Vision Vancouver and the city planners included in these plans just a small amount of affordable social housing.

"What is affordable housing?" asked Vision Vancouver councillor Kerry Jang, who is Vision's point man on the controversial housing issue. Jang, who is a psychiatrist, concluded that 'affordable' meant a rent that differe nt people could afford to pay. This in tum depended on what people were earning, though Jang left these details a little vague.

For example, Robertson and Vision's plans for the Oakridge area show up the cracks in the mayor's green agenda. The Vision-controlled city council has voted for a massive rezoning of Cambie Street south of25th Avenue. This means that small homes wi ll be replaced by high rise condos and expensive ones too.

But there's only small spaces in the plan for any type of low rent social housing.

In fact there's only one genuine Green on counci l and that's former B.C. Green party leader Adrianne Carr, and she has.her dou bts about Vision Vancouver's plans for the city. "Vision Vancouver's plans for the Cambie area are contradictory," Carr told me in effect just after the rezoning ofthe Oakridge and . Cambie areas. On the one hand, Vision talks about ending homelessness, Carr said. But the rezoning of Cambie street co uld end up tearing down low cost housing.

The same could be said about mayor Robertson and Vision's plans for rezoning other areas of Vancouver especially the Downtown Eastside. One plan put forward by city planners could tear down hundreds of low cost housing units in the area and replace them with condos and a few dozen social housing units.

Mayor Gregor Robertson may be a green politician. Yet first and foremost he is a mayor who's very tight with developers and realtors. He's also a New Democrat, or was a few years ago. "All the people we're fighting at city hall are New Democrats," one Downtown Eastside resident said recently. And they might also call themselves 'Greens' too.

By Dave Jaffe

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Harper Govt Announces Harper Homes!

By Rolf Auer, 21 November 2013 In a stunning move today. the Harper government once again put on display for all to see the compassion for which it is so well known.

Acknowledging that there is an acute shortage of social housing, it anno unced that it will be supplying 2-person tents to exactly half of Canada's homeless population.

As it would seem abundantly clear that Canada's homeless probably a lso are income assistance recipients, declared the Harper government, the necessity Jf paying the s helter portion of social assistance ~heques no longer exists, therefore these are being :erminated.

The Harper government explained its latest show of ;ompassion in the following press release: ·'We promised to tackle the affordab le housing s ituaion and we have. We are supplying 2-person tents to 1a lf of Canada's homeless population. We are doing his instead of supplying each person with a tent so hat in wi ntertime the extra person in the tent w ill add aeeded warmth. These new HarperHomes will pro·ide all the shelter that Canada's homeless people teed.

In add ition, we are informing all provincial govern1ents that transfer payments are being reduced to ccount for savings in the si lliness of providing home !SS people with money for shelter. This wi ll save pproximately half of our total budget allotted to inorne assistance. By so doing we can usefully direct 1e savings elsewhere. such as towards more military ~uipment in order to better protect Canada's people. : anada's homeless need not rush all at once to thank 5 with their emai Is and donations to the Conservaive Party of Canada. Just remember which political •arty most deserves your vote in the next federal lection. Merry Christmas!"

Questioned by reporters as to where the homeless hould pitch their new HarperHomes, the federal overnment retorted, " It's not yet illegal to sleep outide nationwide. They can go somewhere deep in the xests, preferably the further out of the way, the bet!r (for them). In addition, we haven't yet brought own legislation banning food banks, so the homeless ·ill still be adequately provided for in terms ofvictals."

Business leaders immediately hailed the HarperHomes idea as a ·'revol utionary advance in the provision for Canada's homeless peoples" and leaped over each other in their rush to congratulate the Harper . government on its brilliant dis play of magnanimity. ,

Annual General Meeting of the

Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House Tuesday December 10, 2013, 4:30 pm 573 East Hastings St.

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Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

out different ideas, we were told to learn to accept that sometimes problems cannot be solvable now.

This concept has certainly helped me to put a problem aside for now and perhaps try it again later.

The power of our mind is another topic I like. I guess there is a lot of research on the connection between our mind and our body. We practised guided imagery and visualization in the class. Some participants reported that they felt more relaxed and their physical pain has gone down. A guided imagery that I like is: Imagine myself walking in the country, I see a box, and I put all my worries in the box. Then I continue walking and enjoying the beauty of nature, the fragrance of flowers, the singing of birds, etc. I really like the idea of putting my worries in the box, giving a chance for my mind to rest.

We also learned to change our negative thoughts to positive. A negative problem for me is: I feel tired. I do not want to get up. A more positive thought would be: I feel tired. I will rest only fifteen minutes. Moving my body is good for me, and probably wi ll give me more energy. . This course has helped me in many ways. If you have a chance to attend the course, I hope you might find it useful. This course is free & includes a book with lots of information on how to manage chronic disease.

There are a few chronic disease self-management program sponsored by the University of Victoria.

The one I attended was for chronic conditions in general. The others are pain management, diabetes, and arthritis. The workshops are being held all over the lower mainland. For registration, please visit the website www.selfmanagementbc.ca

To celebrate the Heart of the City in the Downtown East side of Vancouver, Carnegie Learning Centre organized a gathering on "Learning from Each Other" on October 3 I 20 13. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to present what l recently learned from a 6week free course sponsored by the University of Victoria. The title of the course is: Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. According to this course, chronic disease are heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, depression, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other physical and mental health conditions.

I am a cancer survivor. I have Osteoporosis and l am also a Hepatitis B carrier. There is no cure for my hepatitis. I need to take an anti-viral drug everyday to suppress my virus. Fatigue is my complaint. Because ofthe symptom of fatigue, I give myself permission to rest whenever I want to. Sometimes it can be for hours though.

I have learned from this course that my fatigue can possibly lead to stress, difficult emotions, and depression. This can become what they called a symptom cycle. I realized that I had experienced this cycle in the past. I was frustrated and depressed at times because I was not able to do the chores that I wanted to do. What I have also learned is that it is important to break the cycle. The question is how?

The recommendation is to make life style changes

By Debbie Woon Lee such as healthy eating and being more active. These are big changes and we were told to break them into smaller goals. We talked about Action Plans where Hepatitis C Treatment Support Group we can possibly develop new habits. Exercise has A Support Group geared to the needs of Women never been my cup of tea, so my Action Plan for the past six weeks was to gradually increase my brisk starts on walk commencing from three minutes three times a Wednesday, January 8th, 10:30 a.m. week. I have now increased my brisk walk to fifteen Community Health Centre minutes and hopefully I will be able to reach 30 min59 Pender St, Van utes in the future We also learned about problem solving strategies: For info on content and times for mixed groups: Identifying the problem and brainstorming ideas. If Contact Lesley Gallagher at 604-669-9181 one idea does not work, try another one. After trying .__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _..

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Oppenheimer Park 1 DTES Communities Back Yard Friday, November 29 - Saturday, December 14 Create Pine Cone Candle Holder Fridays at Oppen Arts Studio (11 am - 2pm) Saturdays at Arts N' Crafts (2pm - 4pm) Saturday, December 7 I 12pm - 4:30pm Chess Tournament Sign up in advance at the Park, Carnegie Front Desk or UBC Learning Exchange

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Wednesday, December 11 I 3pm December Birthday Party Oppenheimer Park will be closed from Tuesday, December 24th - Tuesday, December 31st

A spectacular- even ina ()f

Carneuie Centr-e Theatr-e Wednesday~ Uecernber- 4-th f3:J() - S:()() POl

Jail ofyour mind I love you you're brilliant I've had the times of my life it's so hard to sat goodbye I thought in all due respect I have remained myself as time keeps ticking in the moments I'm sure grateful I no longer have to be stuck in the jail of my mind feel memy spirit has come alive

Imagine that

Christmas (Tree) Decorating at Carnegie with Colleen Wed, Dec 4, lOa

Hard not to hate I the fat puke poisoners selling facetious necrosis by the point, as you rot from the inside, gotta hand it to ' em they get the cheddar, all goes back to Mesico, where life is not worth living and their emissaries fat and greasy standing at Main & Hastings real sleazy selling death all day all night long into the morning g light and next day coca loco, hard not to want to just walk up put a shell into the fatty matter masquerading as human always running out of cartridges 'fore you run out of assho les

Just a minute ago l was bawlin' bitch bitch 'bout shit that never ends only relief we ever get is the privilege of having some friends A block later ol' Bill gives me a cookie 2.5 gr of real medicine, do you some good see, only a friend can do that 'cause he wants to; not 'cause he should Maybe I'm grateful.. damn proud to have the friends still there to my friends I'll always care not the suckholes always wanting more 30 and not a clue as to how to live, what to do no l ain't no angel; l can't pretend just so damn glad I got me some real friends AI

the realm of deceit the coherent state of pam shock you to give too much but love never it's the utter feeling of how tremendous fire overwhelms you you want luv, love no human can ever give you must rely on the whispers of ange ls' kisses and god's eternal peace Nora Kay

Wolf Hauer

and the winner is ... and the winner is once again despite prophecies of visionaries poets, idealists, free-thinkers the drudgery of Sisyphus foretold in ancient days the male of the species the adored and adorned is the One long awaited the manger hay still warm the air sweet as a cow's bread G lorified and Gifted in Life and Death The maji, saddle-sore and chilled come with regrets once again the old days gone, or will go soon this New God disrupting our comfort for we were comfortable then the future is uncertain I Wilhelmina Mary Miles

--------~::o::-;~~-:-~~-:----::--:--:--:1the best option for enforcement of constitutional pro-

The following piece is the> .\'of 3-4 parts. It is an excellent report on the struggle that has been going on for years, to gain some security and worker's rights for women i~volved in the.s~x trade.

It's too good to reduce by removin_g p~rtlons JUSt to fit It In 2 pages.

(Go to http://pivotlegal.org/Pubhcatlons/reports.htm for the footnotes and references. Ed.)

tections.

In 2007 S WUA V retained P ivot as their legal counsel and dommenced a Charter challenge to Canada' s prostitution laws. The legal challenge targeted four provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada: s. 213 which prohibits communication in public for the purpose of engaging in prostitution; ss. 210 and 2 11 Sex Workers United Against Violence which prohibit being found in, occupying, keeping or transporting a person to a common bawdy house; and & Kiselbach v. Canada: the aspects of s. 2 12 that prohibit procuring persons An innovative approach to strategic litigation over the age of 18 and living on the avails of adult on behalf of marginalised communities. prostitution. 3 The claim a lleges that the prostitution laws prohibit sex workers from taking a range of Darcie Bennet, Campaign Director, Pivot L.S. steps that would significantly improve their safety, Jill Chertier, Coordinato r, Downtown Eastside Sex s uch as working indoors, working collectively, havWorkers United Against Violence Society g ing clear negotiations with clients and accessing poDJ Joe, D irector, Downtown Eastside Sex Workers Vl lice protection. As a result, the laws violate sex workUnited Against Violence Society and freeLisa Kerr, Doctoral Candidate, New York University ers right to life, liberty, security, equality, 4 dom of expression and association.

School of Law In order to initiate this legal action, SWUA Y made Sheryl Kiselbach, Viole nce Prevention Coordinator the decision to name the organization as a single PACE Society Katrina Pacey, Litigation Director, Pivot Legal Socie plaintiff, as opposed to naming one or more SWUA Y members as plainti ffs. T his decision was necessary Elin Sigurdson, lawyer, .!F.K. Law Corporation for several reasons. SWUA V was motivated to ensure SWUAV's Fight for Justice that street-based sex workers - the membership of • During the first two years of its existence, SWUA Y's SWUA V- would drive this litigation so that it would efforts were primarily foc ussed in two areas: moveaq:urate ly and effectively reflect the experiences of ment building and political advocacy. The organizathi; criminal ized and marginalized community of tion spent its first few years e ngaging women from women. They were also aware of the risks and chalthe commun ity, inviting them to get involved with the lenges of litigation, and decided that they would ~~t oroanization and building capacity among its memproceed in a way that could increase the vulnerab1ltty be~s and directors. The members a lso continued to of their members. Litigating the issue through a colwork closely w ith Pivot on political advocacy efforts, lective plaintiff was the best way to meet both of engaging w ith govern ment through the Subcommittee these goals. As it turned out, the decision to proceed on Solicitation Laws and encouraging government to with SWUA Vas a named plaintiff would influence carry out legislative and social reforms that would the course of this litigation for the next five years in advance sex workers' rights and safety. an unanticipated way. This detour would result in a L ike other sex worker organizations across the counsignificant victory altering the common law rule~ that try, when the S ubcommittee on Solicitation Laws determine access to Canadian courts by groups like f ailed to recommend dec rimina lization in its final SWUAV. report, SWUA V lost faith in the potential for govFor SWUA V members, the decision to start the litiernment to initiate these necessary legal reforms. oation as an organization was both a strategic choice T herefore, SWUA V members decided that to take ; nd one that was necessary to minimize the risks of this issue out of the political realm and into the courts litigation on those most affected by the laws under w here evidence and human rig hts-based decision challenge. The court system in Canada is a highly maki ng was more likely to occur. SWUA V realized public process with limited privacy protections or that where political action fails, litigation becomes supports for litigants. For the members ofSWUA V,

and for sex workers in general, being public about involvement in this type of work can have severe consequences. Sex workers may face alienation and discrimination by friends. family and society at large.

They could face eviction from their home or workspace or the loss of access to social assistance. They could lose custody or access to their children. They could face increased discrimination by police, the medical system and other social programs. They could lose clientele and even face increased vulnerabi lity to violence and abuse if their working conditions were destabi lized. In light of these risks, individual sex workers were unable to come forward as individual litigants. SWUA V, however, is an entity that provided its members a chance to be involved in this important and complex litigation in a meaningful way, while also being able to offer them privacy protections through the anonymity provided to SWUA V members.

A further reason that SWUA V put itself forward as the plaintiff was related to the stress and strain involved for a plaintiff in this type of complex and controversia l litigation. The case would require ongoing and long-term engagement with counsel, and the abi lity to endure a lengthy trial and various levels of appeal that could carry on for five to ten years. For SWUA V members who face poverty, violent working conditions, significant health issues and unstable living situations, this level and length of commitment was impossible to take on individually. However, SWUA V provided a stable and consistent entity that could endure the pressures of litigation. SWUA V could ensure consistent contact with legal counsel and could provide the stability required for its members to engage fully with the litigation while also providing necessary flexibility and privacy to the women it represents.

SWUA V members also provide very important supports to one another throughout this complex, controversial and emotionally difficult process. For the members ofSWUA V, th is litigation is not an academic or theoretical exercise. It is a matter of life and death. Given the dangerous situation created by the criminal laws, members of SWUA V are aware that every time that they go out to work could be their last, making it extremely important to provide emotional support throughout any process that touches on the reality of their lives.

Carnegie Theatre Workshop For the Winter Season!

"Show thou Carnegie workshop Players" Let's put our ideas together for

,..., Our Own: A Carnegie Theatre Chr~tmasPageant~

creative session Wed November 20, 6pm-10pm 1st

in the Carnegie Theatre

Creative sessions/rehearsal schedult' Wednesday evenings 6pm-1 Opm Friday afternoons 1pm-5pm • Dec4, 11, 13,18,20 Everyone welcome!

Performance on Christmas Eve Tuesday December 24 evening For more info: Teresa 604-255-940 l thirteeno fhearts(mhotmai !.com

Get Your Hearing Checked with AAA Hearing On-site at Carnegie Centre December 11th, 10am- 2pm -FREE visual ear checks -FREE hearina checks

Cai'U egie C NEWSLETTER

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THIS NEWSLETTER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION Articles represent the views of individ ual contributors and not of the Association.

WANTED Artwork for the Carnegie Newsletter Small illustrations to accompany articles an d poetry.

Cover art- Max. Size:17cm(6 .7")wide x 15cm(6")high.

Subject matter pertaining to issues relevant to the Downtown Eastside, but all work considered.

Black & White printing only.

Size restrictions apply (i.e. If your piece is too large, it will be reduced and/or cropped to fit).

All artists will receive credit for their work.

Originals will be returned to the artist after being _copied for publication.

Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer Tickets.

DONATIONS 2013: (Money is needed & welcome) Sheila B.-$259 Jenny K.-$25 Elsie McG.-$ 150 Terry & Savannah -$100 Robert McG.-$ 100 Leslie S.·$125 Laila 8.-$40 Dave J.-$33 ..1 · Christopher R.-$100 Anonymous -$25 _,_.., ~-..-...,..-~..~.

1 Bob S.$200 Laurie R.-$70 Penny G.-$60 Yukiko-$20~ Ellen W.-$23 Eleanor 8.-$60 Nathan E.-$50 Maxine 8.-$20 Tom W.-$25 MiChelle C.-$100 Barb & Mel L.-$150 Gail C.-$25 Janet W.-$1 00 Ron C.-$25 Amy V.-$25 Shyla S.-$200 Maureen D.-$50 Muggs & Bob -$300

\!eve. doubt thai a smah group of thoughtfu. committee! citizen~ :::ar chan ge the work•.

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i-~ lS 1:11€.

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-Margaret Meade

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1Jstener-suppot1W, community station.

Next issue: SUBMISSION DEADLINE .WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11TH make submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor.

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