June 15, 1991, carnegie newsletter

I-IIEE

-

(lollnllolls ncccplf?d

-

N E w S LETTE~

4 0 1 Hain st.,,

-

JUNE 1 5 , 1991.

-

Vancouver, B . C .

-

(604)=5-22

-

--

As you are aware, the Ministry of Social Services and Housing is committed to assisting its clients to achieve the maximum degree of independence possible. The Ministry offers employment-related programs to help clients achieve their goal of replacing inc0n.d assistance with earnings. "

The politics of Scam artists

..

"We have been here before. " and heeeeeeeeerrre we are again - with a minister of social services sending letters to thousands of people on welfare, quoting mega-numbers, plugging the current version of an "idea" that Clod Richmond failed with.

In late July 1989 Richmond, then the minister of SS & H , sent his letter to over 49,000 "employable" welfare recipients threatening all with being cut off if.

..

with any number of kids being told to find work as soon as their youngest baby was 6 months old and putting the children in non-existent or grossly expensive childcare...) and blowing his media image full of holes with correct numbers - instead of his phony ones - of unemployed (which had risen a full percentage point on the same day he mailed the letters) and the ACTUAL WORK AVAILABLE. Richmond appeared on TV about a week after the shit hit the fan, backpedalling on every piece of rhetorical garbage he had tried to slip past the media. He had given the media all the exaggerated claims of "what is available" for welfare recipients (on paper) and expected everyone to just sheepishly accept it!

Crap like clothing & transportation & money for a phone when anyone asking for help in getting such essential items in a job-search being told NO.. no money/no timelno - period.

...

more than meets the eye.

Anyway, all of these groups in the immediate area got together to co-ordinate our efforts and we kept track of what it cost. Each group was spending money only a "have to" basis and, after several weeks, it was more than $5000.

We billed MSSH. Richmond, just before he cut and ran to another ministry, At that time, at least 7 community took his last chance to practice being groups in the Downtown Eastside did stupid as minister of SS&H - he wrote what he'd purposely neglected to do saying we had "no authorization" to do informing people of their rights to what he had specifically told MSSH appeal arbitrary decisions (59 year1 employees to do.. i. e. help their old men who hadn't worked in 20 years clients with needs. being cut off for not getting chosen Okay. Now whatshisname, Jacobson, is over 20 year-olds applying for the spewing the same kind of rhetorical same minimum wage job. ..single parents garbage, trying to make the socreds

-

sound like they 're concerned with "improving the lot of the common peopldl'.. ~ichmond's fiasco - JOB-PLUS - is now LIFE (Local Iniatives For Employables) but, right in the letter, he warns us not to call MSSH for more information!

So we called right away.

Pulling the wool over your eyes is thew busmess.

LIFE means that the same tired plan of showing people how to present the 'right' image, the 'right' attitude (the 'right' smile?) to get the supreme satisfaction of being chosen for a minimum wage job over maybe 500 other applicants; of competing with the 10% of the workforce who are unemployed but not on welfare; of somehow getting a job now when everything anywhere has already been snapped up by the few students fortunate not to be 'hanging around' all summer for lack of work.

Maybe whatshisname figures summer is the best time to give all "employables" the intensive concern of his saintly social workers. I mean, if you're cut off Normy can just point to the nearest park or alley..if you're not robbed or arrested or killed for kicks you won't freeze ti1 at least November These people refuse to accept responsibihlity for the growing numbers of young people on the GAIN rolls.

.....

The people

Tellin you how they o it is ours.

d

~et's talk a little reality here: 1. Education funding has been steadily , cut, making higher learning only for the well-to-do; students have to drop out for lack of funds 2. Real job training programs leading to decent work is now almost totally privatized; community colleges are eliminating all kinds of training programs due to govt. cutbacks...

3. Privatized training means direct costs to the individual and anyone with the right political connections can call a scam a school and get big subsidies/grants/cold cash for taking people on welfare for 6 months.

4. The real scenario behind JOB-PLUS, LIFE, etc. is to make someone take courses in writing resumes, doing job interviews...and then having to take any job at any wage, regardless of how bad or unsafe. You are then off the welfare rolls, an employer will get up to 100% of your wage as a subsidy from the govt. for hiring you, and when the subsidy period is over you're fired and the next person on welfare does the same job. You have no skill-in-demand..you look for nonexistent unskilled work..and are back on welfare before 9 months are up.

...

!

i L .

-.

The s o c r e d s r e f u s e t o s e e young people a s anything but cheap l a b o u r ; s u b s i d i z i n g wages o n l y d r i v e s o t h e r wages down as ex-welfare r e c i p i e n t s have t o t a k e any job a t any wage.

T h i s i s "complete independence!

When you have t o e ~ p l a i na joke, i t ' s n o t funny any more.

"Free" Trade c o s t s hundrdds of thousands of j o b s a s c o r p o r a t i o n s j u s t move t h e i r o p e r a t i o n s t o cheaper p l a c e s ; t h e people l o s i n g t h o s e j o b s have t o reduce t h e i r incomes and t a k e lower paying j o b s ( t h e m a j o r i t y of which t h e y ' r e o v e r q u a l i f i e d f o r ) ; t h e people l o s i n g t h o s e jobs go down a step..and s o o n . . . a t t h e bottom of t h e economic l a d d e r i s w e l f a r e . Welf a r e recipients increase a s there a r e - simply NO JOBS. Check a newspaper and s e e how many of t h e 'Help Wanteds" a r e f o r u n s k i l l e d people over 25 o r t h a t w i l l obviously consid e r only people who a r e e i t h e r worki n g o r who have been s t e a d i l y employed f o r years i n that particular f i e l d .

The GST i s d r i v i n g thousands of people over t h e border d a i l y t o buy cheaper s t u f f i n t h e S t a t e s . Local b u s i n e s s l o s e s , l a y s o f f l o c a l workers and Hey P r e s t o ! more w e l f a r e . T o r i e s want t o c u t t r a n s f e r payments t o t h e p r o v i n c e s . . t h e p r o v i n c e s a r e supposed t o pay f o r w h a t ' s i n p l a c e ( w e l f a r e ) l o & behold by themselves and The Honourable Normy whatshisname p r e a c h s about "complete independence!" t a l k about mental d i s e a s e . (!)

-

-

...

By PAULR

TAYLOR

Softness t h a t takes t h e cynic by s u r p r i s e ill-met w i t h rugged temper, and t u r n e d back in ridicule: And t h e c y n i c p o i n t s h i s c o l l a r from t h e warm a f t e r n o o n , certain , any moment , r a i n i s coming.

Ourselves

-

We c r e a t e o u r s e l v e s .

F o r g e t , i f you w i l l a moment, k i n d l y , about God - n o t deny H i m ; but f o r a moment s t a n d up

.,-,

Rudimentary man: i n i t i a l experiments w i t h tendons w i t h synapse, l e a d s us t o t h e k i n e t i c s y n t h e s i s of reach and g r a s p ; and a t t h e h e i g h t of o u r p o t e n t d e x t e r i t y , we f a s h i o n delicacy, b e a u t y , an a r c h i t e c t u r e of i n t r i c a t e personal motifs unique t h e soft-molding of your own c h i l d 's head t ime upon t i m e , we create ourselves.

AB i r t h i s t l e

c.. n

hamburgers f o r t h e (R.EA.L.)

Beachers

5.

"Hida Quoi, Whale w a t c h i n ' , ' I reverse the order Cuidad I l l u v i a r e n o v a t i o n s and t h e S p a n i s h c l a s s m o n i t o r , t h e L i g h t i n g problems No, no t i c k e t s f o r ( t h e ) C a b a r e t P e r f o r m e r s

....

Did you b r e a t h e t h e a i r close t o the coast a s t h e y wheel them o u t t a t h e i n f i r m a r y c l o s e t o t h e Lemons, g r a p e f r u i t s , P i n e a p p l e s o r a n g e diemonds a s lawn ornaments

33 W .

C O R D O V A STREET

Now t h e Summer l u m i n a r i e s Gemini c h e v r o n t h e g r a n d a l i g n m e n t arrow p o i n t s d i r e c t i o n Directors, Election New Board, new f l o o r , new-world, economy a word s c u l p t u r e from t h e MemoryMuseim o f Mind, and a n E a g l e f l y s - p a s t , h a r r a s s e d by t h e Sea G u l l s . Honour t h e E a r t h .

On Monday, May 1 3 , DERA's foods t o r e ALICE opened i t ' s d o o r s .

ALICE ( A Low Income C o o p e r a t i v e Endeavour) i s p a r t o f DERA's SHIPSHAPE S e n i o r s ' Program. They i n t e n d t o keep t h e c o s t of b a s i c f o o d s t u f f s a s low a s p o s s i b l e .

They have a good s u p p l y of canned and p i c k a g e d goods, t o i l e t and c l e a n ing s u p p l i e s . A s w e l l , t h e r e is a l i m i t e d s e l e c t i o n ( f o r now) of good, n u t r i t i o n a l b u l k foods such a s granol a , o a t s , cream of wheat, d r i e d f r u i t such a s a p p l e s , r a i s i n s , e t c . , a s w e l l a s n u t s and mixed n u t s .

*

1 l i t r e a p p l e j u i c e - .79 Bee Cee honey 250 g r . - 1.22 1 l i t r e s p r a y window c l e a n - 1 . 6 3 ;: 1 l i t r e V I P dishwash l i q . - 1.69 ?; Chunky beef soup 540 m l . - 2.08 ;'

" ;' 5 ;f

* :7

Honey Nut g r a n o l a 100 g r . - .29 Thompson r a i s i n s 100 g r . - .24 Quick r o l l e d o a t s 100 g r . - .19 Cream of wheat 100 g r . - .12 Nut Plixture 100 g r . - .49

Go o v e r and have a l o o k . You're s u r e t o f i n d good p r i c e s and suggest i o n s a r e always welcome.

Taum

To The D i r e

A s i t now s t a n d s , one can smoke c i g a r e t t e s i n t h e S e n i o r ' s lounge, but one cannot smoke a p i p e .

Because t h e c u r r e n t S e n i o r ' s l o u n g e i s a f a i r l y s m a l l room I can grudgingly appreciate t h i s rule.

N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g , we, t h e u n d e r s i g n e d p i p e smokers, p e t i t i o n t h e powers I t h a t b e a t Carnegie t o s e t a s i d e a s m a l l s e c t i o n o f t h e new S e n i o r ' s l o u n g e f o r p i p e and c i g a r smokers.

S k i d Row John Woodrow O'Loosj aw DEside J o e Garry Gust

1 LETTER Editor, Most rape is not reported because society's attitude is often one of disbelief. I was raped about 15 years ago shame and self-blaming stopped me reporting it. I still feel anger and rage when I remember rt, I wonder as I write this..will a reader say "I don't believe her; she never reported it" ,or say "She probably asked for it ," As Ty shows ;movies become more violent toward women, we are sending out the message that women are to be treated with violence & hate,.and that it's quite OK. It's not OK for anyone's mother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt..to be battered or beaten or raped., We women who were raped will not allow our experiences to be inval5dadted.

Sheila Baxter

-

Dear Editor, With reference to your reader's letter about "staff problems" at First United Church, the attached letter explains my sudden departure. This letter was sent to members of the Oversight Board - the management board for 1st Church.

I hope this will help your readers understand some of the issues.First United is facing as a social agency in the Downtown Eastside.

Yours Sincerely, Chris Downing Dear Members ....

With reference to recent events at First United Church, after reflecting on my experiences I decided to sit down and write to you.

On Friday and Saturday on retreat I spoke to staff and board members about my feelings. I was also asked to answer spetific questions (some relating to the Mission Statement) which I felt uncomfortable with, but nevertheless I answered them.

The issue for me in these discussions related to racism, and lack of sensitivity to the multicultural nature of the conununity in which the Church is located. I also supported a member of staff who deemed it necessary to walk out of the room, after stating some of her similar concerns and feelings.

On Wednesday 20th a petition was taken to the Oversight Board meeting and handed in. This petition was from members of the community requesting that I remain on staff. I did not have anything to do with that petition, and all I have said in answer to questions about my leaving is to indicate what I have been told, that I did not qualify for continuing in the job.

Thursday morning Jim Elliot requested to meet with me in his office. Jim then referred to Friday & Saturday's retreat, stating that I should not have spoken to board and staff members the way I did. Me

'

I

'

1.

t h e n mentioned a b o u t me w a l k i n g o u t w i t h o t h e r members of s t a f f . He s u g g e s t e d t h a t I was r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e p e t i t i o n and t h a t I was a d i s r u p t i v e member of s t a f f .

T h i s was when I was informed t h a t Thursday s h o u l d be my l a s t day and t h a t I would be p a i d u n t i l end of c o n t r a c t ( 3 1 / 3 / 9 1 ) .

I t h i n k t h i s r e a c t i o n by t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t is i n d i c a t i v e of many of t h e problems a t 1st United. Having asked s t a f f t o s h a r e t h e i r f e e l i n g s and t h o u g h t s , one i s t h e n reprimanded f o r d o i n g s o when t h o s e f e e l i n g s a r e c r i t i c a l . When t h e r e i s g e n u i n e e x p r e s s i o n of o p i n i o n by t h e community, i t i s d e r i d e d and d e f l e c t e d . When i s s u e s a r e r a i s e d a b o u t p r i o r i t i e s o r d e c i s i o n s which affect i n particular the multicultural c o m p o s i t i o n and r o l e of F i r s t United, t h e y a r e viewed a s t h r e a t s . The few employees who a r e t h e m s e l v e s p e o p l e o f c o l o u r a r e given t h e least r e c o g n i t i o n f o r t h e i r own s k i l l s and u n i q u e e x p e r i e n c e s .

My e x p e r i e n c e a t F i r s t United was b o t h e n j o y a b l e and p a i n f u l ; i t r e i n f o r c e d and d i s p e l l e d many t h i n g s , a s a n i n d i v i d u a l and a b l a c k woman. I have come t o r e a l i s e t h a t freedom of s p e e c h e x i s t s a s l o n g as you d o n ' t s a y t o o much, t h a t r a c i s m and c l a s s i s m a r e a l i v e and w e l l i n t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e , t h a t some a t F i r s t United d o n ' t want t o r e c o g n i s e t h i s and t h a t some s e e k t o f i n d t h e i r own r e s p o n s e t o i t . . t o make F i r s t U n i t e d a p l a c e t h a t r e a l l y works t h e community,

I would s u g g e s t t h a t i f F i r s t United does n o t r e a l l y t a c k l e t h e s e i s s u e s , it cannot f u l f i l l i t s m i s s i o n s t a t e m e n t . It cannot work f o r empowerment of t h e p e o p l e i n t h e a r e a , i t cannot b e a f o r c e f o r soci a l change and j u s t i c e , and cannot s e r v e

t h e community i n any e q u i t a b l e way. Ins t e a d , F i r s t United w i l l b e s e e n a s a w h i t e , m i d d l e c l a s s "mission" i n t h e m i d s t of a m u l t i c u l t u r a l , d e p r i v e d community. It w i l l p a r t i c u l a r l y f a i l t o have r e l e v a n c e and any r e l a t i o n s h i p of e q u i t y f o r t h e n a t i v e members of t h e community, whose needs a r e s o g r e a t , and whose e n e r g y and d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o meet t h o s e n e e d s i s s o strong I n a d d i t i o n t o making my own comments, I would a l s o l i k e t o draw your a t t e n t i o n t o t h e a t t a c h e d l e t t e r from Bryan T e i x e i r a which was s e n t t o t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t i n J u n e 1990. T h i s l e t t e r was d i s t r i b u t e d t o s t a f f a p p r o x i m a t e l y October '90 f o r d i s c u s s i o n a t a team meeting. I f e e l , a s M r .

T e i x e i r a d i d , t h a t a l l of t h e s e i t e m s need t o be addressed, p a r t i c u l a r l y those r e l a t i n g t o t h e composition and awareness of Board and s t a f f r e f l e c t i n g t h e n a t u r e of t h e p o p u l a t i o n of t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e .

The i s s u e of s t a f f r e l a t i o n s i s a l s o one I would u r g e you t o a d d r e s s , a l o n g w i t h t h e i s s u e of r e l a t i o n s w i t h t h e community. One cannot r e a l l y r e s o l v e t h e s e i s s u e s by reprimanding s t a f f , d i s c a r d i n g t h e i r viewsi o r t r e a t i n g them and t h e community's o p i n i o n s with d i s r e s p e c t .

I would n o t wish t o r e t u r n t o work a t F i r s t U n i t e d . I a p p r e c i a t e t h a t s o many i n t h e community have f e l t t h a t I w a s a usef u l worker. I am v e r y s a d t h a t t h e e x p r e s s i o n of t h o s e views h a s r e s u l t e d i n s u c h a n e g a t i v e r e a c t i o n by some a t t h e Church. I r e a l l y hope t h a t you a r e a b l e as a Board t o a d d r e s s what i t means t o b e a church of predominantly white, middle c l a s s people i n a d e p r i v e d a r e a i n which n a t i v e and o t h e r p e o p l e of c o l o u r a r e t h e predominant r e s i d e n t s . Any i n s t i t u t i o n i n t h e s e c i r cumstances which d o e s n ' t c o n s c i o u s l y addr e s s i t s own r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s f o r r a c i a l e q u i t y w i l l s u r e l y be r a c i s t i t s e l f .

I t h a n k you f o r t a k i n g t i m e t o r e a d my letter.

Yours s i n c e r e l y ,

.

CONGMTULATIONS TO NEW CCCA BOARD Some new f a c e s , some o l d f a c e s , some f a c e s t h a t went away f o r a w h i l e and now h a v e come b a c k . . . T h a t ' s t h e makeup of t h e newly e l e c t e d C a r n e g i e Board.

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o a l l t h o s e who were v o t e d i n t o o f f i c e a t t h e J u n e 2nd A.G.M. Some members c a r r y s p e c i a l exp e r t i s e - Ed Buhr who knows t h e k i t chen i n s i d e l o u t ; Floyd Wong who's known a s M r . Computer and who h e l p s w i t h t r a n s l a t i o n w i t h t h e C h i n e s e community; I r e n e Schmidt and Bharb G. who s t r u g g l e d on t h e Board d u r i n g t h e ''bad o l d days" and who a r e now r e a d y t o t a k e up t h e m a n t l e a g a i n .

The r e - e l e c t i o n of Muggs, J e f f Sommers (who r e c e i v e d a r a v e r e v i e w from t h e a u d i t o r f o r h i s work a s A s s o c i a t i o n T r e a s u r e r ) , P a u l T a y l o r , Barb M o r r i s o n , B r i a n H e t h e r i n g t o n , Danny K o r i c a , Margaret P r e v o s t , B i l l Deacon, Garry G u s t , L a r r y Loyie and Wayne Kelland e n s u r e s t h a t t h e r e ' s continui t y w i t h t h e p a s t and c h a l l e n g i n g f o r the future.

The s t a f f l o o k f o r w a r d t o working and l e a r n i n g w i t h t h e 1991 Board and we w i s h you a s a f e j o u r n e y as you p i l o t t h e Association through i n t e r e s t ing times.

Sincerely, Diane MacKenz i e

L i n e s from t h e L e a r n i n g C e n t r e :

-

LEX BAAS

Come t o t h e L e a r n i n g C e n t r e on t h e 3 r d f l o o r a t C a r n e g i e and meet t h e head guy, Lex Baas.

Have you h e a r d h i s name? Have you met him? Have you h e a r d about t h e Learning Centre?

Lex was b o r n i n J a v a t o Dutch p a r e n t s who moved b a c k t o H o l l a n d and l a t e r e m i g r a t e d t o Canada when Lex w a s 8. He a t t e n d e d s c h o o l i n Edmonton and l a t e r l i v e d & worked i n S o u t h America ( C h i l e & B o l i v i a ) u n d e r t h e a u s p i c e s of development a g e n c i e s , d r i v i n g a t r u c k , g a t h e r i n g i n f o r m a t i o n and t e a c h i n g E n g l i s h . During t h i s t i m e h e t r a v e l l e d by b i c y c l e from Lima, P e r u t o t h e sout h e m t i p o f S o u t h America, c r o s s i n g t h e Andes mountains s e v e r a l t i m e s .

N e x t , Lex worked n e a r B a n g a l o r e , I n d i a a t a home f o r t h e d e s t i t u t e and dying E v e n t u a l l y h e ended up a t Simon Fras e r U n i v e r s i t y s t u d y i n g L i t e r a c y and Adult E d u c a t i o n .

L a t e r on h e met A l i c i a , t h e E d u c a t i o n Programmer a t C a r n e g i e . She s u g g e s t e d t h a t h e a p p l y f o r t h e head j o b a t Carn e g i e L e a r n i n g C e n t r e . Lucky f o r u s h e was h i r e d , b r i n g i n g w i t h him g r e a t i d e a s and s k i l l s f o r h e l p i n g p e o p l e upg r a d e t h e i r e d u c a t i o n - from t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g t o High S c h o o l c o m p l e t i o n .

A t t h e L e a r n i n g C e n t r e you work a t y o u r own r a t e and a t t i m e s c o n v e n i e n t f o r you - w i t h an i n d i v i d u a l t u t o r o r i n a s m a l l group. You w i l l d e c i d e what vyou want t o l e a r n and how you w i l l l e a r n .

The C e n t r e i s open Monday t o F r i d a y , It i s FREE. 9am t o 7:30pm.

.

J o a n Doree Volunteer Tutor

9 To t e a c h , y e t n o t t o seem t e a c h i n g To p r e a c h , y e t n o t t o seem p r e a c h i n g And t o f u l l y a p p r e c i a t e A l l the l i f e That s u r r o u n d s u s Is t h e way of l o v e Dreamweaver

Grandmother

L

. ...-_----

Grandma l e f t s c h o o l i n Grade Four, worked as a washerwoman i n a s t o n e washhouse, back b e n t over t u b s of o t h e r p e o p l e ' s d i r t , hooking up b o i l i n g s h e e t s and s h i r t s , w r e s t l i n g them through a w r i n g e r , w h i l e steam and h e r sweat s a l t e d the walls; then she'd escape o u t s i d e , peg up t h e l i n e n and l e t i t w h i t e n i n t h e sun.

-2

Dear S i r , "I would l i k e t o r e a l i z e I a m a product of a b s t r a c t thought: and t h e r e f o r e f r e e . "

Being 1) l a d i e s o u r t h o u g h t s a r e o u r own a b s o l u t e l y and we t a k e exception t o off-balance emotionalism

When s h e was twenty and b a r e l y a b l e t o s i g n h e r name, a man s a i d he wanted t o t a k e h e r away You, we t h i n k , p r o j e c t from a l l t h a t your a c c e s s r o u t e s . and s h e m a r r i e d and had e i g h t k i d s , meaning The dilemma of t h i s exs h e was s t i l l a washerwoman. panded r e f l e c t i o n i s t h a t we When s h e r e a d a newspaper, s h e would bend a r e a l l c a u s i t i v e a g e n t s of o v e r pages b o i l i n g w i t h o t h e r p e o p l e ' s d i r t , nothing. h e r f o r e f i n g e r l a b o u r i n g under each word a s i f t o hook i t up, h e r l i p s w r i n g i n g o u t Yours, t s y l l a b l e s of r a p e s , wars and r e c e s s i o n s , Was.T. Basket p i n n i n g up t h e words Garba Dump u n t i l s h e g o t them r i g h t , Tras.H. Can h e r s m i l e r a d i a n t , as i f s h e s t i l l b e l i e v s u n l i g h t and f r e s h a i r would n o t f a i l t o sweeten a n y t h i n g t h a t had been f o u l e d .

The Lap of L i f e Dusty Everyone s t a n d i n a c i r c l e Hands j o i n e d Drop hand, and t u r n r i g h t Everyone s i t down Everyone h a s a l a p t o s i t on

4%

No t i c k l i n g

1500 p e o p l e i n New York C e n t r a l P a r k

( ~ d i t o r ' sn o t e :

I n t h e l a s t i s s u e t h e t e x t of a paper p r e s e n t e d t o t h e Vancouver 6 D i s t r i c t Labour Council was p r i n t e d . I n t h e s e c t i o n "on Income" I ' d promoted t h e i d e a of "aguaranteed a n n u a l a d e q u a t e income", t h i n k i n g t h e word ' a d e q u a t e ' was t h e o p e r a t i v e one. F o r t u n a t e l y , t h e e r r o r i n t h i s approach h a s been f o l l o w e d f o r a few y e a r s and t h e f o l l o w i n g a r t i c l e d i s p e l s some of t h e smoke.)

THE GUARANTEED ANNUAL INCOME (GAI) How Big B u s i n e s s i s Using i t t o T r i c k Low Income P e o p l e S i n c e t h e e a r l y 1 9 6 0 ' s low income peop l e have worked f o r a Guaranteed Annual Income (GAI). We t h o u g h t i t would p r o v i d e enough money f o r a d e c e n t l i f e above t h e p o v e r t y l i n e . We thought i t would be g i v en w i t h d i g n i t y and no h a s s l e . We a l s o thought t h a t , i f we were a b l e t o work o u t s i d e t h e home, d e c e n t j o b s a t d e c e n t pay would be a v a i l a b l e .

R e c e n t l y q u i t e *a few b i g b u s i n e s s g r o u p s have jumped on t h e G A I bandwagon - g r o u p s n o t reknown f o r s u p p o r t i n g low income people. They i n c l u d e t h e F r a s e r I n s t i t u t e r e p r e s e n t i n g o v e r 400 l a r g e c o r p o r a t i o n s ; t h e Canadian ~ I a n u f a c t u r e r s ' A s s o c i a t i o n (CPIA), a lobby group f o r Canada's l a r g e s t m a n u f a c t u r e r s ; t h e McDonald Commission, a $20 m i l l i o n Royal Commission on t h e economy s e t up by t h e L i b e r a l Govt.; t h e Fina n c i a l P o s t , a weekly newspaper which r e p r e s e n t s b i g b u s i n e s s t h i n k i n g i n Canada; and t h e B u s i n e s s C o u n c i l on N a t i o n a l Issu e s . (A11 i n v o l v e d i n g e t t i n g Mulroney & " f r e e " t r a d e & t h e GST and U I c u t s . . .).

But b i g b u s i n e s s d o e s n ' t want t h e same kind of G A I t h a t low income p e o p l e want.

They d o n ' t want a G A I t h a t w i l l end pove r t y . They want a G A I t h a t w i l l : - g u a r a n t e e p o v e r t y f o r p e o p l e who c a n ' t work, and h e l p p u l l down wages f o r p e o p l e who do work; - h e l p b u i l d a p o o l o f cheap l a b o u r s o t h a t p e o p l e on G A I compete w i t h each o t h e r f o r low-paying j o b s ; - r e d u c e employers1 wage b i l l s , l e a v i n g more f o r c o r p o r a t e p r o f i t s .

There a y e f o u r p a r t s t o t h e b i g b u s i n e s s v e r s i o n of G A I : 1. A b o l i s h what we have: The F i n a n c i a l Post c a l l s our e x i s t i n g system a "morass of c o n f l i c t i n g and c o n f u s i n g s o c i a l programs" and n o t e s

.

( d i s a p p r o v i n g l y ) t h e $60 b i l l i o n a n n u a l c o s t . The MacDonald Connnissi.on l i s t s t h e programs on t h e b i g b u s i n e s s chopping block; family allowance, c h i l d t a x c r e d i t Guaranteed Income Supplement f o r s e n i o r s ( t h i s i s t h e program r e s p o n s i b l e f o r a l most g e t t i n g s e n o i r s o u t of p o v e r t y ) , s o c i a l h o u s i n g , m a r r i e d and c h i l d t a x exemptions, t h e f e d e r a l s h a r e of w e l f a r e payments t o p r o v i n c e s (qbout h a l f of t h e money p a i d by p r o v i n c e s on t h i s s e r v i c e ) and unemployment i n s u r a n c e , Big b u s i n e s s t h i n k s t h e s e programs c o s t t o o much and c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e d e f i c i t .

I n f a c t , canadq1s s o c i a l spending i s a l r e a d y way below t h e a v e r a g e of i n d u ~ t r i a l c o u n t r i e s , A s w e l l , many e c o n o m i s t s s a y t h a t t h e d e f i c i t is n o t t o o h i g h , and, i f i t was, c o u l d be c o n t a i n e d by r e d u c i n g handouts t o p r i v a t e c o r p o r a t i o n s , 2 . Low incomes f o r p e o p l e who d o n ' t o r c a n ' t work: The MacDonald Commission s u g g e s t s $2750 p e r y e a r i n one o p t i o n and $3825 i n a n o t h e r . This'd be topped up a t t h e whim of p r o v i n c i a l governments, presumably. For comparison, t h e p o v e r t y l i n e ( a t t h a t t i m e ) was about $11,000 p e r p e r s o n p e r y e a r .

The CMA provides another clue to the level of income that big business thinks people outside the paid labour force should have: they say the GAI should ensure that "recipients will be better off working and earning income.'I Why doesn't business want GAI rates above the poverty line? According to one report, some business leaders fear that people receiving adequate welfare or GAI will not work at "unsafe low paying jobs unless pay and working conditions are improved. 'Such improvements at the bottom of the employment ladder would push up the whole wage & working conditions scale.''

,

3. End legislation to maintain & increase wages: The Fraser Institute is famous for calling for an end to the minimum wage. The CMA told the MacDonald Commission the same; the govt. should loosen up on laws such as the min. wage laws.

Business doesn't like minimum wages because, like welfare payments, they push up the bottom of the wage scale ladder, putting more money into workers hands rather than bbsiness profits.

Business is equally negative toward equal pay for equal value. Keep equal pay laws as they are, said MacDonald, knowing full well that they are virtually useless. Fair wage laws are equally abhorent to big business. The federal govt. abolished them.

4. Keep what-you earn: The Financial Post, MacD. Commission & the BCNI argue that taking away earned income from people who receive GAI or even welfare creates a "poverty trap" and destroys "incentives to work." This sounds exactly like what low income people have been saying for a long time too. We have wanted to be able to keep much more of what we earn without having it deducted from our monthly welfare payment. But we want wages to be adequate, above the poverty line at least, in the first place.

Big business wants the GAI as a taxpayer

11.

top-up of inadequate wages. With a GAI not reduced as work earnings increase, business knows it can keep wages lower and have more money left over for profits.

With the extra profits they can buy up their competitors, move to countries with cheaper labour, or do whatever they like.

What*would the effect1 of a GAI with these four ingredients be?

Imagine that big business gets its way.

Their GAI is in place and you're a single mom with two kids. You'll be getting a GAI that is way below the poverty line. Your provincial govt. will hesitate to add much to it because it won't be getting federal money for this purpose. You'll have no chance of getting into a co-op or nonprofit housing. Those programs will be gone. Likewise you won't get a child tax credit or family allowance. Funding for childcare will be drastically cut back too, as the federal govt. will no longer pay half the costs. But because the GAI is so low, you're desperate to feed your kids, And, with the new CAI, you can keep what you earn. You scrounge around for a friend or relative to take care of the kids. McDonald's jas an opening for $4/hr and you take it. Unemployment is high and all the better paying jobs are full. You can't afford not to take the McDonald's job even though you know you're worth more. So you struggle along, working at slave wages, still below the po'verty line felling guilty that you have to depend on another woman to care for your kids, exhausted at the end of the day. You ask yourself: Is this new GAI really better than the old welfare?

For you the answer is "no But for McD and other low wage employers, the new GAI will be better than the old welfare. With no legislation boosting minimum wages, without equal pay laws, and with hundreds of thousands more people forced to compete for low wage work by the low GAI rates, employers will have no trouble keeping wages low. The money that they paid for wages in the past can now go into acquiring more assets and more c~ntrol over the economy and over job creation & elimination. Much of the extra profit for

."

m u l t i n a t i o n a l companies c o u l d even f l o w o u t of t h e c o u n t r y .

While b u s i n e s s would c o n t i n u e t o r e c e i v e b i l l i o n s i n tax exemptions, l o o p h o l e s o r a lower tax r a t e , r e s e n t m e n t would b u i l d among m i d d l e income working p e o p l e . T h e i r own wages would f a l l due t o p r e s s u r e from a l a r g e group of p e o p l e ( l i k e o u r s i n g l e mon) f o r c e d t o work b e c a u s e o f low G A I r a t e s . Yet t a x e s p a i d by m i d d l e income p e o p l e would s u b s i d i z e employers ( w i t h t h e GAI) t o h i r e t h e s e p e o p l e a t low pay. " I t ' s t h e o l d game of div*de & conquer.

I n e f f e c t t h e r e g u l a r wage e a r n e r i s asked t o g i v e up some of h i s / h e r fncome s o t h a t some employers n e e d n ' t pay a l i v i n g wage." (Cy Gonick). T h i s p l a n c o u l d e a s i l y s p l i t t h e poor from m i d d l e income e a r n e r s who might p e r c e i v e t h a t low i n come p e o p l e , n o t a n u n j u s t economic system, a r e t h e main c q u s e of t h e i r own f a l l e n g income.

I n s h o r t , t h i s b u s i n e s s v e r s i o n of t h e GAI i s a scheme t j a t l e t s b u s i n e s s a p p e a r t h a t i t c a r e s f o r t h e poor, but a t t h e same t i m e h e l p s c r e a t e a system t h a t w i l l , o v e r t h e l o n g t e r m , reduce a l l wages, make p e o p l e p o o r e r , and i n c r e a s e c o n t r o l o v e r o u r economy by l a r g e c o r p o r a t i o n s .

The d a n g e r f o r low income p e o p l e i s t h i s It a p p e a r s t h a t t h e T o r i e s c o u l d p u t f o r ward a G A I p l a n , meaning t h e b u s i n e s s G A I of g u a r a n t e e d p o v e r t y and low wages. But low income p e o p l e and o t h e r s w i t h a s o c i a l c o n s c i e n c e may c o n f u s e t h i s G A I w i t h t h e G A I we've always hoped c o u l d end povert

-

Probably t h e r e ' s no s i n g l e wo phrase t h a t w i l l d e s c r i b e what ;ill r e a l l y end p o v e r t y . I f t h e r e was, b u s i n e s s would h i r e p o l l s t e r s and p u b l i c r e l a t i o n s e x p e r t s t o t a k e o v e r t h a t word o r p h r a s e and p u t t h e i r meaning t o i t , l i k e t h e y ' r e t a k i n g o v e r Guaranteed Annual Income.

We need t o b e s u r e t h a t w h a t e v e r p h r a s e is u s e d , t h e r e s u l t s w i l l end p o v e r t y and i n c r e a s e d e m o c r a t i c c o n t r o l of o u r economy and n o t t h e o p p o s i t e . Anti-poverty groups a r e beginning t o r e a l i s e t h a t our a n t i p o v e r t y agenda s h o u l d i n c l u d e a package of measures. We need: - f u l l employment a t d e c e n t wages; - l e g i s l a t i o n t o improve wages. T h i s means minimum wage above t h e p o v e r t y / l i n e ; e q u a l pay f o r work of e q u a l v a l u e ; f a i r wage l a w s ; and laws which make i t e a s i e r f o r low wage workers t o form o r j o i n unions and b a r g a i n c o l l e c t i v e l y f o r b e t t e r wages & working c o n d i t i o n s ; - improved p u b l i c i n s u r a n c e programs (UI & WCB & CPP.. .); - maintenance and improvement of u n i v e r s a l programs s u c h a s e d u c a t i o n , m e d i c a r e , f a m i l y a l l o w a n c e and c h i l d c a r e ; - a t a x system based on a b i l i t y t o pay which r e d i s t r i b u t e s income from t h e r i c h t o t h e poor; - income above t h e p o v e r t y l i n e g i v e n w i t h d i g n i t u t o p e o p l e n o t c o v e r e d by t h e above programs ; and, w i t h t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s , we need an i n c r e a s e d e a r n i n g s exemption f o r p e o p l e receiving welfare o r GAI. Those of u s working t o end p o v e r t y have a b i g e d u c a t i o n job ahead of u s . W e must ens u r e t h a t v o t e r s s e e t h e b i g business GAI f o r what i t i s ; a way t o r e v e r s e t h e decades-old tendency f o r d e c e n t w e l f a r e r a t e s t o push up low wages; a way t o d e c e i v e low income p e o p l e i n t o s u p p o r t i n g a scheme t h a t w i l l i n c r e a s e r a t h e r t h a n reduce pove r t y ; a way t o h e l p c o n c e n t r a t e even more w e a l t h and d e c i s i o n making power i n t h e hands of b i g b u s i n e s s .

THAT'S

HOW MANY

1

I

D.E.S.L.

CANADIANS ARE SOFTBALL PLAYERS

e r Conference. These teams p l a y MondayF r i d a y a t Oppenheimer P a r k and on S a t u r day & Sunday a t S t r a t h c o n s ' a southwest diamond. Blue Demons, S p a r t a n s , Deyas, Jalde 0 'Grady 'st lbngels, Edge c ~ m p e t elwith B l a s t e r s , S t e e l e r s , R a i d e r s & Black Sox. Every team must pay a s m a l l amount f o r a M e r i t Performance Package a s w e l l a s pay i n s u r a n c e and t h e l e a g u e e n t r y f e e .

I f t h e team p r o v i d e s s c h e d u l e d umpires, sends r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s t o t h e umpires' c l i n i c s , and d o e s n ' t d e f a u l t any games t h e n t h e M e r i t Performance ( p l u s i n t e r e s t ) is returned.

Time

Back on May 10, t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e S l o w p i t c h League g o t o f f t o a slow s t a r t mainly due t o t h e t o p s y t u r v y w e a t h e r t h a t h a s p l a g u e d Vancouver. L a t e l y many of t h e s c h e d u l e d games h a v e n ' t been decided u n t i l t h e f i n a l o u t .

The r e g u l a r s e a s o n e n d s on August 2 1 s t with t h e p l a y o f f s and s e v e r a l t o u r n a ments f o l l o w i n g . San ~ r a n s i s c o ' sL i t t l e L i t e c h u r c h team w i l l b e h e r e f o r t h e i r eighth consecutive season, f o r t h e tournament J u n e 20-23.

This colourful c l a s s y crew s t a r t p l a y i n g e x h i b i t i o n games a s soon a s t h e y a r r i v e i n town.

The L i t t l e L i t e Tournament w i l l b e on J u n e ' s l o n g weekend and winds up w i t h a very e n j o y a b l e e v e n i n g a t t h e Vancouver C o r n e r s t o n e Church.

Seven teams - B r a v e s , M a r i t i m e r s , E a g l e s , O r c a s , W o l v e r i n e s , Renegades & T-Birds make up t h e S t r a t h c o n a Conference. A l l t h e i r games a r e p l a y e d Mon.F r i d a y a t t h e NorthEast diamond i n Strathcona Park.

There a r e nine c l u b s i n t h e O n p ~ n h e i m -

R e s u l t s of t h e opening DESL Tournament: Birds S t r a t h c o n a Winner - T ------runner-up - Maritimers * S p o r t s m a n l i k e award - Renegades fi M.V.P. female - Gerry ( M a r i t i m e r s ) * M.V.P. male - Rob (T B i r d s ) Oppenheimer Winner - S p a r t a n s runner-up - Blue Demons fi S p o r t s m a n l i k e award - Edge * M.V.P. female - S t e l l a ( S p a r t a n s ) -'-

'1

"

P

n,qlr,

-

1111 r > < .

/':n.1~tn~,~;)

.

H e r e ' s a l i t t l e u p d a t e on t h e prog r e s s of t h e Carnegie p l o t . I n t h e e a r l y s p r i n g l a r g e and v e r y heavy amounts of o l d s i d e w a l k and b o u l d e r s were removed.

Compost, p e a t , bonemeal and l i m e were re-dug i n t o t h e s o i l o v e r s u c c e s s i v e weeks. Robert Anderson and my son Ross were v e r y h e l p f u l i n t h a t period.

C a t r i o n a and h e r f r i e n d John came o u t one a f t e r n o o n and h e l p e d t o wheelbarrow up l o a d s and l o a d s and l o a d s o f l e a f mulch t o c o v e r t h e p a t h s . C a t r i ona a l s o donated some r h u b a r b and h e r b p l a n t s . The w e a t h e r was even h o t back t h e n ( i n A p r i l ) and John r e t u r n e d t o t h e p l o t s e v e r a l times t o water t e n d e r s e e d l i n g s d u r i n g t h o s e "hot" c r u c i a l weeks.

Bea Chee,'who i s 78 y e a r s o l d , h e l p ed p l a n t t h e major p o r t i o n o f t h e g a r den. U n f o r t u n a t e l y , s h e t r i p p e d and d i s l o c a t e d h e r w r i s t and h a s n o t been a b l e t o a t t e n d s i n c e . J u a n h a s cont i n u e d t o work s t e a d i l y , p l a n t i n g , weeding, and f e r t i l i z i n g t h e p l o t .

Juan is t h e only o t h e r person b e s i d e s myself who h a s come f a i t h f u l l y t o t h e garden e v e r y weekend. J u a n ' s d e d i c a t i o n and c o n t r i b u t i o n have been i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e garden.

Now t h e g a r d e n i s showing e v i d e n c e of a l l o u r l a b o u r s . The t o m a t o e s , cukes, potatoes, l e t t u c e , beans, h e r b s , s q u a s h , b e e t s and f l o w e r s a r e l o o k i n g s t u r d y and v e r y p l e a s e d t o b e

with us.

T h i s i s a p e a c e f u l and g r a t i f y i n g way t o spend a S a t u r d a y morning. I would encourage anyone w i t h an i n t e r e s t t o v i s i t us a t Strathcona. I drop

by C a r n e g i e around 10:30am S a t u r d a y s and t h e n go o v e r t o t h e g a r d e n s , s o i f y o u ' r e n o t s u r e how t o g e t t h e r e you can come a l o n g w i t h me. T e l l K i m a t t h e f r o n t desk and I ' l l b e s u r e t o f i n d you b e f o r e I l e a v e .

Sunday, J u l y 2 8 , is Open House from lpm - 5pm. The S t r a t h c o n a Community Gardens a r e l o c a t e d i n t h e 700-block of P r i o r S t . , n e a r t h e f i r e h o u s e . I hope t o s e e many C a m e g i t e s t h e r e . I f you have any q u e s t i o n s you can r e a c h me i n t h e Program o f f i c e on t h e 3 r d f l o o r o r phone me a t 665-3004.

Kathy Thompson

Congratulations t o a l l t h e elected Board Members o f C a r n e g i e ' s Associat i o n . I ' d l i k e t o pay s p e c i a l t r i b u t e t o t h e f o u r newest members: Bharb G , .

Floyd Wong, I r e n e Schmidt and Ed Buhr.

I t ' s always n i c e t o s e e new p e o p l e b u t o u r newest members r e p r e s e n t seve r a l v i t a l C a r n e g i e programs. Bharb is not only a Seniors Executive b u t h a s p l a y e d a n a c t i v e and i n t e r e s t e d r o l e i n C a r n e g i e ' s Music Program.

Floyd Wong v o l u n t e e r s i n t h e L e a r n i n g C e n t r e & t h e computer room. I r e n e d o e s advocacy work f o r v i c t i m s of o u r g r e a t MSSH s y s t e m and Ed Buhr volunt e e r s i n t h e k i t c h e n and i s t h e s t o c k person.

This kind of v e r s a t i l e representat i o n w i l l o n l y do good t h i n g s f o r many of C a m e g i e ' s programs, v o l u n t e e r s & patrons.

Congratulations t o a l l !

S t e v e Rose

,

MAY

May t h e g e n t l e r a i n t h a t f a l l s wash away o u r s i n s May t h e p u r e w h i t e snow cover o u r u g l y m i s t a k e s May t h e g e n t l y f l o w i n g s t r e a m n o u r i s h o u r undying t h i r s t May t h e l i t t l e s o n g b i r d s g i v e u s o u r needed j o y May t h e f e r t i l e v a l l e y s feed o u r e n d l e s s hunger May we l e a r n t o c o n t r o l o u r h a t r so t h a t we do n o t k i l l o u r s e l v e s May we l e a r n t o c o n t r o l o u r g r e e d because we d o n ' t need more May we l e a r n t o c o n t r o l o u r j e a l o u s y because we a r e a l l even May we l e a r n t o c o n t r o l o u r l u s t t h a t i s n o t t h e way o f l o v e

' May we l e a r n t o h e l p o u r b r o t h e r To s h a r e a burden makes i t l i g h t May we l e a r n t o walk i n l i g h t and s p r e a d o u r b e a u t y outwards May we l e a r n t h e a r t o f p a t i e n c e A l l good t h i n g s t a k e t h e i r t i m e May we l e a r n t h e a r t o f t r u e l o v e that is our g r e a t e s t joy May we l e a r n t h e a r t of l i v i n g so t h a t we i n c r e a s e l i f e May we l e a r n t o l i v e r i g h t now Each p a s s i n g moment i s gone May we l e a r n t o l i v e t o g e t h e r A community o f man May we l e a r n t h e s e t h i n g s i n time Hindsight i s too l a t e May e a c h o f u s l e a r n t o do t h e s e t h i n g s o r may God have mercy on u s a l l .

Dreamweave r

CliANGES !

-

CHANGES !

CHANGES !

"llow t h e h e l l d o e s t h i s t h i n g work?" l:or t h e f i r s t few d a y s , anyway, t h i s ( l u e s t i o n was b e i n g a s k e d a l o t i n t h e kitchen.

With t h e number o f new machi n e s h e r e i t was e x p e c t e d a n d i s b e i n g asked with a kind of excitement.

T h e Vancouver F o u n d a t i o n g a v e u s $100,000 s p e c i f i c a l l y f o r ' r e n o v a t i n g ' the kitchen.

Bruce J a c k s o n , C a t r i o n a Moore and J e r r y S e n t i n o , whom t h e C i t y o f Vancouver f e e l s a r e i n c h a r g e o f were a s k e d t o make up a ' w i s h l i s t ' h e l p d e s i g n a dream k i t c h e n . W e l l , i t i s b e a u t i f u l and t h e b a s i c q u e s t i o n b e i n g answered i n s h o r t o r d e r .

Now, a l o n g w i t h t h e b e s t food i n t h e C a r n e g i e h a s a model f a c i l i t y f o r making a l m o s t a n y t h i n g . (you c a n ' t r o a s t a whole cow b u t u s veget a r i a n s just snicker!).

.

Bruce J a c k s o n , a f t e r a b o u t 5 y e a r s of dedicated chaos, is leaving a t t h e end o f J u n e .

Fortunately t h e Carnegie A s s o c i a t i o n i s n ' t mandated t o p r o v i d e t h e r a p y f o r C i t y employees s o , r a t h e r t h a n j u s t s t a k i n g o u t a c h a i r on t h e years and 2nd f l o o r f o r the next trying t o recover, he says going t o t h e I n t e r i o r somewhere.

Dan Tetrault will move into position, Jerry will become acting head o f s e c u r i t y f o r t h e summer a n d R o b e r t Begin w i l l assume J e r r y ' s d u t y in the k i t c h e n as a s s i s t a n t programmer, The r e n o v a t i o n s a t t h e l a n e l e v e l are now in process - the new Seniors on , L ~ p o o l ~~ o o m-~ and washrooms ~ ~ the floor are soon to open.

Changes i n t h e v e n t i l a t i o n , l i g h t i n g and electrical systems are going on a l l over t h e place; an i n t e r e s t i n g b i t but we'lladvertise f o r the h o u r when t h e e n t i r e f l o o r i n t h e p r e s e n t Seniors L~~~~~ gets somehow "dropped" 10 f e e t i n t o t h e basement.

Depending on b u d g e t , t h i s w i l l happen w i t h anyt h i n g from n i t r o t o g e t t i n g e v e r y o n e i n t h e main 1.ounge t o go i n and j on i t a t t h e same t ime !

By PAULR

An o l d I n d i

Far beneath t h e h o t s l i m e , Slumbers a c r e a t u r e of e v i l , For c o u n t l e s s eons h e h a s been a s l e e p The A n c i e n t s s a y h e was p u t t h e r e by Waska s o o A n i g h t f l y i n g b i r d more p o w e r f u l t h a n t h e e v i l b e a s t I

Now and t h e n t h e b e a s t moves and s t i r s from f a r b e l o w .

Steam a n d smoke b i l l o w from m o u n t a i n s when h e d o e s .

Sometimes i n h i s a n g e r he b e l c h e s f i r e a n d b r i m s t o n e .

Then a g a i n h e i s d o r m a n t .

Now and t h e n h e s w i s h e s h i s t a i l i n a n g e r .

To make t h e s e a w a t e r a n g r y and t u r b u l e n t .

But t h e b e a s t w o n ' t r i s e a n y more.

He o n l y makes n o i s e a n d a few r i p p l e s .

A f r a i d o f t h e G r e a t Waska s o o Who w a t c h e s o v e r h i s b e l o v e d p e o p l e .

A1 Militant

TAYLOR

DOWNTOWN STD CLINIC - Monday t h r o u g h F r i d a y , 9am - 5pm.

EASTSIDE FREE MEDICAL CLINIC - Mon.,Wed.,Fri. 5:30-7:30.

YOUTH NEEDLE EXCHANGE - 221 Main, e v e r y d a y , 9am-5pm ACTIVITIES Needle exchange van - on t h e s t r e e t Man.-Sat. e v e n i n g s SOCIETY N.A. m e e t s e v e r y Monday n i g h t a t 223 Main S t r e e t .

N a r c o t i c s Anonymous (NA) m e e t s a t Dugout, 57 P o w e l l , 7:30 F r i 1991 DONATIONS: C h a r l e y B.-$30 Oly(Sven) -$20 Cement Masons - $ I 7 5 Mendel R.-$15 Marilyn S.-$36 H e a t h e r M.-$15 Darren L.-$50 Herman L.-$10 F o r e s t Lawn -$20 C e c i l l e C.-$10 E t i e n n e S.-$20 Sandv C.-$20 Nancy W.-$75 Terr; T.-$200 A r t VL -$5 Brenda - $ 5 Vishva A.-$15 E l l e n -$5 J a n e t B .-$20 L i l l i a n H.-$20 Sue H.-$50 Colleen E.-$25 Donald M.-$5 Dave - $10 B i l l T.-$20 P e a r l D.-$36 A n n e t t e R.-$10 * Nancy J.-$10 Rhinos -$3.03 Laughing B e a r -$200

Next

issue 1

SubnliSSion DEADLINE 27 J u n e Thursday

- ..- - .. .-... .. .. .- - .

T l l l S NEWSIXTTER I S A PURLICATION OF THE CARNE(;IWCO?IIIUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION. Artlcl"

r r p r r s v r ~ tt h r v l r w s o f I n d l v l r l t ~ n l contributors a n d n o t of t h r A s w r l n t I o n .

Free

-

. .

Donations accepted.

c i t y i n f o s t a f f can't accept donations f o r t h i s Newsletter. s o i f you can h e l p , f i n d P a u l T a y l o r and h e ' l l g i v e you a r e c e i p t .

Thanks e v e r y b o d y .

NEED HELP ?

The Downtown E a M d e Residents' Association can help you with: any welfare problems * inrormation on legal rights * disputes with landlords * unsafe living conditions + income tax * UIC problems * finding housing * opening a bank account Come into the DERA Office at 9 East HaE3tings St. or phone us a t 602-0931.

DERA HAS BEEN SERVING THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE FOR 18 YEARS

--

I n f o--r m a--l : You a r e i n h o s ~ i t a lb e c a u s e you r e q u e s t e d a d m i s s i o n .

- you c a n a c c e p t o r r e f u s e s p e c i f i c t I - e a t m c ~ nst . Y o r ~ i n r t s t a g r e e f i r s t .

- Y O U l ~ l u s t C U I I ~ C ' I Iw ~ ithout t h r e a t s o r u l t inr,ltullls bc! in); p u t t o y o u .

- T o b c ~ t l i s c . l ~ a r g c ~ t lr,e q u c . s t t h i s i n w r i t i n g t o t h e head nurse.

- You w i l l be t l i s c . h a r g e t 1 w i t h i n 7 2 h o u r s , u n l e s s y o u r s t a t u s is changed t o i n v o l u n t a r y .

I n v-o- l u-n t a r y : POLICI s a y y o u a c t i n a way l i k e l y t o e n d a n g e r your s e l f o r a n o t h e r ' s s g f e t y .

A JUDCII b e l i e v e s y o u a r e a n l e n t a l 1y d i s o r d e r e d p e r s o n , . a n d / o r dangerous t o be a t large..and/or t h a t usual procedure callses dangerous w a i t .

A IIOCTOR d e t e r m i n e s y o u a r e n ~ e nat l l y d i s o r d e r e d . . r e q u i r e treatment (care, supervision, control) . . f o r y o u r own p r o t e c t i o n o r f o r t h e protection of others.

.

2

R ELP DOWNTOWN MAY

"4".

2 d o c t o r s have t o f i l l o u t forms.

You c a n a p p e a l y o u r a d m i s s i o n o n t h e 1 s t day.

-

T h i s admission a s an i n v o l u n t a r y p a t i e n t c a n b e good f o r 3 0 d a y s .

2

U n l e s s a d o c t o r r e p o r t s t h a t you should (have t o ) s t a y i n h o s p i t a l , y o u m u s t b e l c > t g o a f t e r 30 d a y s .

I f a d o c t o r r e p o r t s t h a t you h a v e t o s t a y , i t r a n b e f o r 90 d a y s .

I F YOU AIU.: IN .IPROVZNCIAI. PIENTAL tiEA1,TII FACILITY, CONTACT THE MENTAL PATIICNTS ' ADVOC.',I'!:.

I T I S FW,E !

FREE OR LOW COST GOODS

1.

SHELTER & HOUSING

3.

HEALTH SERVICES

4.

COUNSELLING, SUPPORT, INFO

6.

LEGAL SERVICES

8.

ADVOCACY RESOURCE L I S T

8.

SOCIAL, DROP-IN

,

KECWA'I'ION 1 0 .

YOUTH SERVICES

11,

OTHER SERVICES

CAKNEGIE NEWSLETTER

665-2289 [..1{1:1:

- rlonat i m ' i n r . c c ? i ~ t e l t .

12.

13.

1

j

SALT OF THE ANGRY EARTH:

When r e - c y c l i n g emerged a s a n a n s w e r t o e n v i r o n m e n t a l p o l l u t i o n , many i n d u s t r i a l g i a n t s & commercial p o l l u t e r s adopted & promoted i t a s t h e i r c o n t r i b u t i o n t o a "Caring-Sharing" s o c i e t y .

Safeway, i t s s h e l v e s p i l e d h i g h w i t h p l a s t i c s , f o i l s , polyurathanisms & b i p h e n o l w h a t c h a m a c a l l i t s , d r e s s e d up a few h u n d r e d k i d s ( y o u r s & mine f o l k s ) i n p o l i t i c a l l y c o r r e c t T - s h i r t s , had them wave l i t t l e Canadian f l a g s , & d i d a Save-the-World-with-Safeway promo campaign o n TV & o f c o u r s e i t was a l l f o c u s e d on some k i d who had d i e d from l e u k e m i a b e f o r e h e had a c h a n c e t o " r e a l i z e h i s dream". .now good o l d f a t Dave t h e P r o d u c e Manager i s d o i n g it f o r him & t a k i n g a l l t h e c r e d i t .

A f t e r t h a t w e had good o l d Roy Bonisteel, t h e white-haired Native Rights media s t a r showing u s t h a t s a v i n g Mot h e r E a r t h was a s e a s y a s t u r n i n g o f f unused d e s k lamps & i n v e s t i n g o u r money ( i f w e s t i l l had a n y ) i n C a n a d ~

...

.

~o~

a s s u r e d u s i t would T r u s t , where "Go Green. " Then o f c o u r s e who c o u l d e v e r f o r g e t Mac-Blo's f a b u l o u s r e c y c l e d f o r e s t s (known i n t h e t r a d e a s manageable f i b r e farms) We even had s e v e r a l i n t e r n a t i o n a l o i l & c h e m i c a l conglomera t e s i n s i s t i n g t h e y were r e s p o n s i b l e f o r a l l t h e good t h i n g s i n l i f e & sugg e s t i n g we owe them a n e t e r n a l d e b t o f g r a t i t u d e f o r t h e i r t r a i l - b l a z i n g res e a r c h i n e c o l o g i c a l d i s a s t e r (bugs They s a y t h e y ' r e that eat o i l , etc.). s p e n d i n g m i l l i o n s on i t . . & a l l f o r u s !

111 Yes - b l u e b o x e s & green investments a r e on t h e march. E x e c u t i v e ViceP r e s i d e n t s a r e i n t o rainbow s u s p e n d e r s & p l a s t i c c o n e compost h e a p s d o t t h e l a n d s c a p e . Enviro-cops c a n b e 10 year-old undercover a g e n t s f o r Safew a y ' s world-dream-team, o r ~ a c - ~ 1 0 ' s a?lg-a-Tree-a-Day Club.

B u t , you know, b e f o r e t h e s e c o p o r a t e c i t i z e n s & t h e i r consumers' anonymous

.

.

f a n c l u b s g o t g o i n g - r e c y c l i n g was a w e l l e s t a b l i s h e d f a c t of l i f e meticul o u s l y c a r r i e d o u t by t h e poor a s a n e c e s s a r y & even c r e a t i v e p a r t of t h e i r day-to-day l i v i n g .

Who r e c y c l e s c l o t h i n g c a s t o f f by p e o p l e ? Who f i x e s up t h e o l d B&W TVs & r e w i r e s dead s t e r e o s ? Where do a l l t h o s e empty c a n s & b o t t l e s go? I n t o beaten-up o l d shopping c a r t s , a l o n g with scrap copper, b r a s s , c o l o u r f u l j u n k m a i l , o l d books, a s s o r t e d c h i p p e d & broken a n t i q u e s & o t h e r u s e f u l i t e m s - a l l garbage t o t h e r i c h - picked & made u s e f u l by t h o s e unsung o r i g i n a l r e c y c l e r s & ragged s c a v e n g e r s , t h e poor.

When i t comes r i g h t down t o i t - who e a t s up a l l t h e s l i g h t l y misshapen r e j e c t s , o f f c o l o u r o r a n g e s & s o on from Safeway's F r u i t & Vegetable Sect ions?

Who u s e s t h e b o n e s , t h e f a t , t h e bacon e n d s & o t h e r n e g l e c t e d s p i n - o 2 f s from who e a t s t h e whole b u t c h e r shops b u f f a l o and k i l l s o n l y what h e n e e d s ?

T h a t p o o r o l d d e r e l i c t bagmanlbaglady - t h a t good o l d f l o p h o u s e p h i l o s o p h e r & crack-brained bleeding h e a r t . . . t h e p i l l a r of s o c i e t y ' s sandwich l i n e . . m i s t e r & m i s s u s p o v e r t y - s t r i c k e n youknow-who

...

.

.

t h e s a c r e d cow t h a t s a v e d t h e p l a n e t , w i l l anybody p i n a medal on t h e p o o r ?

W i l l Exxon honour . t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e r c l a s s i c low-income r e c y c l e r , env i r o n m e n t a l l y c o r r e c t junk d e a l e r & c r e a t i v e scrounger w i t h a banquet a t No way! t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l lounge?

The d r e s s code a l o n e would p r o h i b i t i t . . b u t t h e r e t h e y a r e & were & w i l l b e a g a i n - t h e o l d bagman-baglady, t i r e d and r e t i r e d mother o r f a t h e r of s i x c h i l d r e n (two OD'd on amphetamines, o n e g o t h i t by a c a r & t h e o t h e r t h r e e wander around i n a d e s e r t of odd-jobs & n e v e r c a l l home). But t h e o l d l a d y ' s o u t t h e r e f u s s i n g around t h e b i n s i n t h e a l l e y behind t h e c a t e r e r ' s the o l d man ' s busy s o r t i n g y o g u r t c o n t a i n e r s from t h e $100-a-plate Enviro-conf e r e n c e l u n c h e o n , where Safeway, MacBlo & Esso s i t down t o i m p r e s s e a c h other with public relations crusades t o save t h e e a r t h f o r Century 21.

The b a g l a d y ' s g o t a l l t h e i r c a s t o f f creampuf f s , s o i l e d t a b l e n a p k i n s , loose silverware, cans, b o t t l e s , & even t h e unsmoked b u t t s of t h e i r s u p e r l o n g c i g a r e t t e s & i m p o r t e d c i g a r s . She s p e n d s t i m e i n h e r o l d h o t e l room r e working e v e r y t h i n g i n t o a u s a b l e form, c a s h e s i t i n o r d i s t r i b u t e s i t among h e r f r i e n d s . She c r o t c h e t e d p i l l o w c a s e s o u t of u n r a v e l l e d s w e a t e r s , made up t h e p a t t e r n s h e r s e l f - n o t h i n g l i k e i t anywhere. She remakes j u n k m a i l i n t o c o l l a g e s & d e c o r a t e s h e r room.

S o c i a l w o r k e r s v i s i t h e r from t i m e t o time, laugh & shake t h e i r heads & c a l l h e r c r a z y b e h i n g h e r b a c k . They'd n e v e r t h i n k of recommending h e r f o r a Governor G e n e r a l ' s Award, o r even s l i d i n g a few e x t r a b u c k s h e r way f o r h e r dedication f o r a l l t h e small things t h a t add up t o one b i g e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y

...

.

...

A

s

friendly lesson i n l i f e s t y l e s f o r the future.

When you s e e p o o r p e o p l e p i c k i n g cigarette b u t t s & disgust & p i t y take h o l d of y o u r mind, remember: t h i s t o o is r e c y c l i n g - i t ' s a l l i n your p o i n t of view. You might condemn them f o r p a s s i n g on c a n c e r & l u n g d i s e a s e , b u t some p e o p l e g e t r i g h t i n t o i t making d i f f e r e n t b l e n d s of b u t t t o b a c c o mixed w i t h l e a v e s from weeds on v a c a n t l o t s - no k i d d i n g - u s e a t u b e - r o l l i n g machine & make good-as-new f i l t e r t i p c i g a r e t t e s from s t u f f o t h e r p e o p l e s t e p on & g r i n d u n d e r t h e i r h e e l s .

The s w i f t i n v i s i b l e shadow p e r s o n empties a l l t h o s e h i g h - r i s e e l e v a t o r a s h t r a y s i n t o u s e d t o b a c c o c a n s . He s p e n d s Sunday mornings w o r s h i p p i n g t h e g o d d e s s carcinoma. He b u m s i n c e n s e t o K a l i - t h e foulmouthed c r a z y o l d e a r t h m o t h e r of 2 0 t h c e n t u r y c i t y s , our lady highways & s h o p p i n g m a l l s of d e a t h , d i s a b i l i t y , d i s e a s e & p o v e r t y who n e v e r goes t o c h u r c h .

B e a u t i f u l l o s e r s . . l i v e s of anonymous, q u i e t , c r e a t i v e o r d e s t r u c t i v e desperation a r e loose a l l over t h e planet.. t h e meek s h a l l i n h e r i t t h e e a r t h , b u i l d d r i f t w o o d f i r e s on p o l l u t e d b e a c h e s , d r i n k cheap w i n e , s i n g o l d j a i l s o n g s nobody remembers & r e c y c l e e v e r y t h i n g .

...

.

TORA

Bird Call I am k e p t c u r t a i l e d i n the curtained cage of o t h e r p e o p l e ' s s p e c i f i c a t i o n s f o r me and my h a r s h "caw" which ruptures silence i s become t h e v e r y song of l i f e t o me: o r t h e anthem of my s i n g u l a r escape.

ABirthistle

L i f e Lines I know you w i l l come back t o me someday ; I know this with a certainty t h a t is t h e bark I am a f f i x e d t o down t h i s w i l d and r a g i n g and o b l i t e r a t i n g v a l l e y r i v e r .

I know I w i l l s e e you a g a i n !

I know this with t h e c l a r i t y of a v i s i o n of a f u t u r e i n c l u d i n g you c r y s t a l l i z e d i n t h e warm glow o f home.

The f i e r c e m i n s t r e l on t h i s Broadway t o Boundary b u s f a i l s t o d i s s u a d e me, nor h i s f i l t h y l y r i c s t o p r y a t my b e l i f e i n t h e s u b s i s t e n c e of p u r e l o v e , and t h e n o b i l i t y of p a t i e n c e And e a c h o f u s l o n g i n g f o r home, i r t h i s tl e

Last month I made a promise to BC citizens. I said that in the current legislative session New Democrats would lay out specific actions that a Harcourt govt. is ready to take on issues important to BC's future. That promise is being kept.

I want to touch on -just four bills we've introduced in recent weeks toward bringing about a more open, accountable and participatory democracy in B.C.: * Freedom of Information Act: opens government by giving us access to all dosuments and records, including how your tax dollars are spent. In other words, it's your information-not the government's. Access may only be denied where confidentiality is essential or individual privacy is threatened. * Ministerial Post-Employment Conflict Act: prevents former mfnisters and other public officials who leave government from using "inside information" for personal gain. * Act to Expand the Powers of the Ombudsman: allows BC'S Ombudsman to investigate complaints about municipalities, regional districts, school boards, universities and hospitals, * Election Day Fairness Act: this guarantees all eligible citizens the democratic right to register and vote on election day. If the socred govt. has its way, as many as 200,000 B.C. citizens will be denied their right to vote in the next election.

These bills and additional open government measures have been put forward

by New Democrats to deal you in and move beyond a govt. just for political insiders. It's expected the socred govt. will reject these positive initiatives, as they did all 46 substantive bills we put forward last year.

--

Why? Mainly because this government has a lot to hide. It's clear they do not want laws that allow the public & press access to the inner workings of a govt. in turmoil. It's expected that even the access to information legislation promised in their throne speech will merely be an "exposure" bill that is, only an idea for discussion, not a law to be passed.

We can do better in BC, by opening up your government and making it more accountable to you. A new era of rebuilding public trust in government starts with an election.

By MIKE HARCOURT

g

Small Wonder c While s e n d i n g l e t t e r s t o i n s p i r e "employable" w e l f a r e r e c i p i e n t s t o g e t one of t h e n i f t y minimum-wage j o b s , MSSH h a s s e n t a n o t h e r , c o n f i d e n t i a l l e t t e r t o s o c i a l w o r k e r s . T h i s one l i s t s m o s t , b u t "not a l l " of t h e i t e m s t h a t t h e y w i l l no l o n g e r pay f o r - f o r r e c i p i e n t s who a r e s i c k , d i s a b l e d . . k i d s : Aids t o Daily L i v i n g - reachers - r e c r e a t i o n a l equipment - special eating utensils - f o o d p r e p a r a t i o n equipment - a u t o m a t i c hand c o n t r o l s - dressing aids - grooming a i d s - housekeeping a i d s - swimming a i d s

Communication Aids

- telephones - emergency r e s p o n s e s y s t e m s

-

telephone amplifying systems

- B l i s s Boards

-

sound a m p l i f i c a t i o n e q . phone f l i p p e r s , d i a l i n g s t i c k s pen g r i p s , w r i t i n g a i d s - communication b o a r d s - computer s o f t w a r e

I f you a r e d i s a b l e d ( p a r a l y z e d , w h e e l c h a i r - b o u n d , e t c . ) many of t h e s e i t e m s mean t h e d i f f e r e n c e between l i v i n g and v e g e t a t i n g . O t h e r l i s t e d i t e m s s p e c i a l baby f o r m u l a e , c l o t h i n g , f o o t w e a r , d i a l y s i s e q u i p m e n t , h o u s e h o l d i t e m s ( & r e n o v a t i o n s i f y o u r d i s a b i l i t y r e q u i r e s t h e m ) , oxygen, h e a l t h f o o d / s p e c i a l d i e t s , v i s i o n d e v i c e s ( i f y o u ' r e g o i n g b l i n d - t o o bad) v i t a m i n s , m i n e r a l s , e t c . I n s t e a d of h e l p i n g w i t h many o f t h e s e e s s e n t i a l s , y o u r worker now h a s t o " r e f e r " you t o t h e M i n i s t r y o f H e a l t h . Good l u c k i s a p a t h e t i c s t a t e m e n t .

---------

The F R E E LEGAL A D V I C E

The Law S t u d e n t s ' L e g a l Advice Program (LSLAP) i s i n C a r n e g i e on Wednesdays & T h u r s d a y s from 10-4 on t h e 3 r d f l o o r .

Hey-Way1-Noqul Healing Centre an Outpatient Addictions program for Families

M a r i a Lands gave b i r t h t o a b e a u t i f u l boy w e i g h i n g 91b9oz!

HEY-WAY'-NOW' HEALING CENTRE 8206 - 33 East Broadway Avenue Vancouver, B.C.V5T 1V4

AC'I'ION CANADA NETWORK

"FREE" TRADE PROCLAMATION WHEREAS the Canada-United States "Free" Trade Agreement has limited the ability of Canadian federal and provincial governments to implement economic, environmental, cultural, and social programs and policies that meet Canadian goals, and therefore threatens the very existence of Canada as a sovereign nation; and WHEREAS the Canada-United States "Free" Trade Agreement has resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs across Canada and increased pressure on workers at the bargaining table to accept lower wages and working standards; and WHEREAS existing free trade zones in Mexico have created abominable working and living conditions for Mexican workers and serious environmental damage: & WHEREAS current "free" trade agreements undermine democracy by transferring power and decision-making authority from elected governments to corporations; WE, THE PEOPLE OF CANADA, DEMAND that the federal government cancel the Free Trade Agreement with the United States immediately; and WE DEMAND that the Tory government withdraw from negotiations with the U.S. and Mexico to extend the "Free" Trade Agreement to Mexico; and WE ALSO DEMAND that the federal government pursue a progressive, alternative model for continental development which would meet the following objectives: A improving the living standards of workers i n a y countries involved; establishing strong environmental protection standards; * ensuring that technological and scientific advances are shared to benefit all countries' citizens; . ensuring the protection of human rights, including the right to organize as workers; and * ensuring that democratically elected governments are able to develop and implement policies and programs which meet the needs of their citizens.