Issue 8 • December 2009 • sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail.com • PLEASE TAKE ME I’M FREE
Poverty Reduction in New Brunswick
business sector, and most importantly we, the individual citizens, could come together and form a plan. I am looking forward to seeing this plan put into action and being a part of the change for our future.” ~ Lisa Murphy “For years, poverty reduction activists have urged the government to abolish the interim assistance rate, change the household income policy, increase the minimum wage and extend the health card. This year they did – and both political parties with seats in the Legislature participated. This is a great start! More improvements are needed and we have to continue to work for change!” ~ Randy Hatfield
Photo Courtesy of the Province of New Brunswick, Participants in the Forum
The first-ever poverty reduction plan for our province was recently adopted by over 50 participants at the Final Forum on Poverty. This Final Forum took place right here in Saint John. Called Overcoming Poverty Together, the new plan has the objective to reduce poverty in New Brunswick over the next five years. Premier Shawn Graham was leading the Final Forum. “The new poverty reduction plan calls for a major reform of policies, programs and services to ensure economic and social inclusion for all New Brunswickers,” said Graham. Different initiatives will be undertaken, including a massive overhaul of the social assistance system. The government promises to increase social assistance rates and to get rid of the household income policies. They also agreed to create a prescription drug plan for all uninsured residents by 2012. Several participants from Saint John participated in the Final Forum, here are some of their thoughts: “The Poverty Reduction Strategy for New Brunswick means changes for the better: better policies, opportunities and supports. It was inspiring to be part of this beginning and equally important to know that our community is ready to work together for more.” ~ Cathy Wright “Participating in the Poverty Reduction Plan from the very beginning was a very enriching experience. I went to the first dialogue discussion out of curiosity. I was then selected to be in the round table sessions and then I was honoured to be chosen for the Final Forum. I was able to see first hand how government officials, the private sector and
“I recently had the privilege of being asked to participate in the Final Forum. As honoured as I was, it was a daunting task. For me to see and to be part of this plan that has brought government and all the partners together was amazing. To see the wheels in motion and the changes to the Social Assistance programs that are planned for immediate action was seeing a part of New Brunswick history in the making. Now we must keep our voices strong to ensure it all happens.” ~ Juanita Black “Participating in the Final Forum was a very rewarding experience. Recognizing the hundreds and thousands of people who contributed to this process, I was able to see first-hand a plan being shaped that was based on input from these people and recognized that a collaborative and inclusive approach is necessary to make any real change. I look forward to seeing this plan implemented and to working together to help change the future.” ~ Wendy Papadopoulos A transition team has been established to help move quickly on the new structures and initiatives to reduce poverty. Members of the transition team are former co-chairs Gerry Pond and Léo-Paul Pinet, as well as Brenda Murphy and Ken Pike from Saint John, Sue Rickards from Fredericton and Roger Lessard from Campbellton. “The members of the transition team are dedicated to reducing poverty and have been active participants in all phases of the poverty reduction initiative,” said Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock. “They will contribute to strengthening the foundation of the poverty reduction plan and ensure its efficiency in short and long terms.” You can get more information on the new poverty reduction plan at: http://www.gnb.ca/poverty. Also you will get updates in each issue of Around the Block. ~ Some information was supplied by Alison Aiton, Director of Communications, Department of Social Development
Holiday Traditions These are some of the many traditions celebrated by the citizens of Saint John. There are many more, however not all could be included. Check out page 3 for traditions in the Christian Church. UKRANIAN CHRISTMAS EVE, by Cindy Horton In our Ukrainian tradition, a big meal is served on Christmas Eve. The dinner has 12 dishes representing the 12 Apostles. There’s no meat in it except for fish. The meal starts with a dish called “kutya” and everybody MUST have a spoonful, even if they don’t like it. Some other dishes are sour cabbage rolls, mushrooms, and 3 different kinds of perogies (“pyrohy”)! Ukrainian Christmas Eve is actually on January 6th but my family always celebrates it on December 24th. It’s my favorite dinner of the year, and is VERY filling. CHANUKAH, by Dan Elman Chanukah is a celebration of religious freedom. This holiday remembers events which took place over 2,300 years ago in the land of Judea, which is now Israel. The Syrian king, Antiochus, ordered the Jewish people to reject their G-d (God) and to worship the Greek gods. Judah Maccabee formed an army and after three years of fighting, they drove the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple had been spoiled and required cleansing. The eternal light required oil. There was only enough for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. Jewish families celebrate Chanukah at home and light the menorah which has 8 candles. This year the Festival of Lights begins on December 11th and lasts for eight days. (Note: We write G-d just to remind us that we don’t really know what we’re talking about! In other words - trying to avoid creating an idol about which we make assumptions. We do the same in Hebrew: we don’t pronounce the word the way it is written. Not a rule. Just a habit to keep us wondering and searching.)
FRENCH HOLIDAY TRADITIONS, by Michèle Brideau Le réveillon is a French Canadian tradition. It is a buffet we begin to prepare weeks before midnight mass on Christmas Eve. It is served after midnight mass and this meal can go on for hours. It includes meat pies (les tourtières), all kinds of baked goods as well as cheese, fruit and veggie trays. Depending on where you are from across Canada some réveillons include a huge seafood soup, roast pork and meatballs or a variety of fancy sandwiches without the crust. One thing is for sure it is enjoyed by everyone and the leftovers make the best snacks throughout the Holidays. Joyeux Noël à tous! Page 1