604-665-2289 carnnews@shaw .ca www.carnnews.org http://harvesters.sfu.ca/chodarr (tNDEX)

After the Olympic excuse:

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A Question Of Balance

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APRIL 1 , 201C

Food & shelter ? Hah! Let charities do it.

When Corporations Rule The World By Rolf Auer

I borrowed the title ofthi~ article from a book I'm reading, which r II tell you about later on. rm prompted to \Hite this piece by an article in the March I I, 20 I 0 Georgia Straight by Carli to Pablo titled. '·Task force may allow corporations to vote."

Apparently, the BC Liberal government has struck a task force responsible for collecting opinions from the public as to whether corporations should be given the right to vote in municipal elections. (Don"tlaugh: at one time in BC, corporations were allowed to vote; then that right was taken away, and ever since then. they, or rather, the business world, has been trying to get it back.)

I'll tell you right now, I am not in favour ofallowing corporations illlY kind of government vote.

In his 2004 book, the Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Pou·er, Joel Bakan describes how corporations came to be legally recognized as persons before the lav.. (p.l6) In his words. '·through a bizarre legal alchemy." This occurred in 1886.

Later in the book, Bakan asks the question, if corpo­rations are persons. what sort of person arc they? For the answer to this, he consulted Robert ! fare, a psy­chologist and internationally renowned expert on psy­chopathy. (pp.56-57) !fare listed the character traits common to a corporation: irresponsible, because in an attempt to satisfy the corporate goal. everybody else is put at risk; grandiose. always insisting, "we're the best."; a lack of empathy and asocial tendencies: "their behaviour indicates they don't really concern them­selves with their victims."': often refuse to accept re­sponsibi lity for their own actions and are unable to feel remorse: "if they get caught breaking the law, they pay

big fines. and continue doing what they were doing before."; relates to others superficially: they present themselves to the public in an appealing way, but may not actually be representative of\\ hat they really are. !Iuman psychopaths are knO\\n to use charm to hide their true selves. For corporations, social responsibility may play the same role.

In short. the type of person embodied by a corpora­tion is a psychopath. Is this something to which we want to give the right to vote?

From David Konen's book ( 1995, softcovcr) When Corporations Rule the World (p.l 00): "The owners and managers of corporations have the full rights of any citizen- in their capacity as citizens- to partic ipate in defining public goals and po licies. However, corpora­tions themselves, as non-human legal entities created to serve the public interest, have no place using their re­sources to innuence the processes by which citizens define the public interest and set the rules of corporate conduct. Corporations are not people. They are alien to the ways of life and blind to the complex nonmaterial needs of human societies. They should be wholly barred from any form of political participation ... "

From Murray Dobbin's book (2003, 2nd edition) Tlu Myth of the Good Corporate Citizen· Canada and De­mocracy in the Age of Globalization (p.284): "Citizen participation must be directed at seizing back from co1 porations power that our "own" governments have ceded. In the vacuum of government deregulation cor­porations have become the organizational form that is now "regulating" society. It is corporations that in­creasingly determine what kind of work there will be, who will get it, how much damage wi ll be done to the environment and where. what human needs will be addressed and which will go unfulfilled. Yet refo­cussing democratic action on corporations does not mean that v.e can abandon the state. While the state is now being transformed into the market state from the egalitarian state, it is still the only human organization ultimately powerful enough to challenge corporate rule whether alone or as part of international institutions for world governance. The struggle for democracy has throughout this century been a struggle for control of the state. That will not change." That is why corpora­tions must not be allowed to participate in democracy.

l mean, here's a simple argument: democracy, the word, derives from Greek, meaning '·rule of the peo­ple."' It doesn't mean "rule of the people and compa-

nies."' Pablo quoted John Winter, president and CEO of the

BC Chamber of Commerce, making the argument that not only do corporations pay taxes, they are a major taxpayer and therefore deserve the vote as a means of having a say o n how that tax money is spent.

My friend Lora Masotti read this and commented that they are also majo r polluters of water sources too. (So, ipso facto, shouldn't that disallow them the vote?)

One of my main concerns is that corporations have dragged the world to the brink of enviromnental de­struction (not without help, I might add). And now, on top of that, they want the vote too? Don't forge t, these are the companies that said, we don't need government regulations to control our actions, the market will do that for us, and look what happened. Joel Bakan, quot­ing Harvard University political economist Elaine Ber­nard (p.l46), "At least in a democracy each person is formally equal .... But when we move that power over to the marketplace, the humblest and the wealthiest are totally asymmetrical. And one has such immense power that they can literally crush the other completely and utterly and fully. So that's one of the reasons his­torically we've always felt the need to regulate mar-

" kcts." Deregulation? Remember Enron? $60 Billion lost to shareho lders. WorldCom? $ 150 Billion lost to shareholders. The subprime mortgage crisis (caused by deregulat ion) of2008/2009 which required trillions of dollars worldwide in bai lout money to be paid to banks and insurance companies, and which has caused a worldwide recession? And now corporations expect us to trust them? (Forgive me for having a laugh at your expense, John \Vinter, but it strikes me that the timing of your request couldn 't be worse.)

(www. localelectionstaskforce.gov.bc.ca) is the web­site for collecting opinions or obtaining contact infor­mation. It's only open unti l April 15, 2010.

Since this article was written, according to a story by Jeremy Shepherd. Vancouver Courier, ' ·Proposal for corporations voting in civic elections meets resistance from municipal leaders,"' on March 16, 20 I 0 : '"The suggestion that corporations should have voting rights in Vancouver has been met with swift opposition, with many s lamming the idea as too complex in practice and undemocratic in theory."

Nevertheless, you should register your opposition anyway, if that is what you would like to do.

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It 's the most heinous crime - to sell anything on the streets of Vancouver, unless it 's drugs of course. It 's worse than murder! They' ll come and get you right away for sell ing your old junk and books on the sidewalk. You may even go to jail. And not one cop but two will come ... !

Radical Mr. Poop!

DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE • LABYRINTH PROJECT

Coming Events- Free Workshops Mask Performance- w/ Peter Hall Sat. April 24, Strathcona Community Centre (room E-130) 1-4 pm (20 max.) Using powerful masks created by master mask maker Melody Anderson (The Number 14), this is a hands-on, face-off workshop on the use of mask. After an introduction to the nature and history of masks, participants will be led through a process of technique that can be applied to full or half masks. The afternoon includes games, improvisation, and laughs.

Story through Puppetry- w/ Varrick Grimes & Cathy Stubington & team Tues. April27, Russian Hall, 7-9 pm. All are welcome An introduction to the nature of puppetry and an exploration of how to tell a story with and by puppets.

Memorials- w/ Cathy Stubington Wed. April28, Carnegie Centre J rd floor Gallery, 2-5 pm (drop-in) Wed. April28, Russian Hall, 7-9 pm. (drop-in) All are welcome. Create an easy and beautiful print or poem to commemorate a friend, a loved one, who has gone into the labyrinth. These prints will be displayed on a memorial wall as part of the DTES Labyrinth Project event.

Youths & Maidens Puppet Making Workshop- w/ Cathy Stubington Thursday April25, Russian Hall, 2-5 pm (drop-in). All are welcome Make a simple yet distinct puppet from common materials.

Puppet Athletics Workshop- w/ Varrick Grimes, Tom Jones, Sarah Redmond Thursday April 25, Russian Hall, ?-8:30pm. All are welcome Help devise a unique puppet & East End style Olympic event.

Promenade Performance- w Varrick Grimes Saturday April 26, Russian Hall 2-4 pm- All are welcome Explore a way of making and staging theatre where audience and actor are share the performance space. Learn simple ways to keep the spectator on their toes and in the action.

Locations: Strathcona C.C., 601 Keefer Street; Carnegie, 401 Main Street; Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Street

Workshop Facilitators Peter Hall • Stage and film actor, director, puppeteer, teacher and writer, Peter's career spans 35 years. He's a popular instructor in mask and other disciplines of theatre for Theatre B.C., B.C. High School Drama Festival, Sen /Kiiip Native Theatre, Caravan Farm Theatre, Playhouse Theatre School. Cathy Stubington -Artistic Director of Enderby's Runaway Moon Theatre (the group who inspired creation of the DTES Community Play), Cathy designs puppets and has produced theatre with puppets, actors and people for 30 years. Varrick Grimes - Newfoundland-bred and Toronto based Varrick is a director and performer who has directed collaborative community plays in Toronto, England and Enderby, BC. Sarah Redmond and Sarah May Redmond . Both are veterans of several Runaway Moon Theatre productions. Tom has appeared as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit (Carousel Theatre) and in The Number 14. Sarah performed in Quasimodo (Boca del Lupo), A Christmas Carol (Playhouse Theatre), Midsummer Night's Dream (Bard on the Beach) and Unity (Touchstone). To register for Workshops -Contact Terry Hunter at 604-628-5672 or vancouvermovingtheatre@shaw.ca or leave a message at Carnegie's front desk.

Performances: Saturday May 8, 2 pm; Sunday May 9, 2 pm & 8 pm Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Join East End residents and professional artists for a magical and fun event - a workshop presentation of The Downtown Eastside Labyrinth Project.

Runaway Moon and Vancouver Moving Theatre ensembles are collaboratively creating a 45-60 minute puppet-based theatrical event- an original adaptation (with an Eastside feel) of the old story of Theseus and the Minotaur- from the angle of the minotaur trapped in the labyrinth.

We're approaching the story as a journey through life's labyrinth to face our fears and challenges. The event will have lots of puppets, masks, music, storytelling, lighting- and takes place in the Russian Hall around and amongst the audience.

Play director Varrick Grimes is assisted by Cathy Stubington (designer), Beverly Dobrinsky (musical director), Joseph Pepe Danza (percussion), ltai Erdal (lighting), actors Sarah Redmond and Tom Jones, an ensemble of ten Downtown Eastside­involved perfonners and other guests.

Volunteer opportunity

Vancouver Moving Theatre would like to make it possible for as many people as would like to join in the DTES Labyrinth Projec t. If you have the time to commit to all the below times and days, and if you would

.. like to become part of an event where audience are caught up inside the action, now is your opportunity.

• Sat. May 1, 2-6 pm • Wed. May 5, 7-10 pm • Fri. May 7, 7-10 pm • Saturday May 8, 2 pm • Sunday May 9, 2 pm and 8 pm

All activity takes place at the Russian Hall. 600 Campbell Street

Please contact Terry Hunter at vancouvermovingtheatre@shaw.ca, 604-628-5672, or leave a message with your con tact information at the Carnegie front desk.

Produced by Vancouver Moving Theatre in association w ith Runaway Moon theatre and support from Canada Council, BC Arts Council, Government of BC. City of Vancouver.

Hamber Foundation. BC Government Employees Union, UBC. SFU. Carnegie and Strathcona Community Centres

Miiewetch I have been writing this article for some time now.

Many things have happened to me in the past year, and I want to ensure I honour all the people. There was a time when I thought I was finished writing, but the passing of a friend affected me more than I thought. 1 miss Bingo, and that spot he tilled in my heart. Last year, one of the best in my li fe, was so unreal. I

owe a gift of gratitude to the people of the Downtown Eastside- what I experienced was because of you! Miigwetch, Creator, for the people of the DTES who

have come into my life, to teach me lessons I must learn. Miigwetch, Creator, for Wendy, Jean and friends from

the Carnegie Action Project. I love you all. Miigwctch, Creator. for Ruth, whose gift and thought­

fulness will aid me in my journey. Miigwetchy, Creator, for Stacey, Andrea, Joyce and

banana heat, where I can be a servant to the people. Miigwetch, Creator, for all the people who have

touched or aided me in my journey, for putting tghem on my path to learn from. to grow with, to love. In m_y journey 1 know that I will dance, and on that day I Will dance for you and all that yiou have done for me.

All my relations, Robert Bonner

Back 011 the Bus by Frecdomc

At One a.m. on a Tuesday, I'm one happy man, Schedule by Greyhound, home from Toronto to Van. The first stop was Sudbury, and in the place I was bom 1 got kicked off the bus, they said I was 'a thorn_ On the ride' it seems one of the passengers sard. 1 was crazy and might possibly cut off his head(!) So I admit I got restless when events seemed to prove he was checking out children in an unhealthy groove. Yeah. 1 screamed and I spat as a matter of fact You know it felt kind of good to crack evil like that Then I got back my bags and soon found I had lost my ticket to ride on their next scheduled bus. Well I'm used to being broke, that's one thing for sure So I sought out some places where some help the poor: At OntarioWorks they said, ' Sir, you are welcome to stay but our policy states we can't give bus tickets away." I said thanks and got directions to the Hotel Sally Ann Where I got the same 'in-town travel policy" plan; From long-distance Information I got Vancouver numbers For where the poor go to eat, seeking shelter to slumber So I punched in the codes to get hooked up to Van, I got maybe then nothing from the U.G.M. man; At the F.U.Church I got a message machine-Some are so busy helping in these times that are lean Well, not far from Salvation on that Sudbury road, I found St Andrews United where Christ lightened the loac They said 'Although our policy reflects that of OntarioWo~ where it states 'we can't buy bus tickets for jerks' If you'll please wrie the song you said -Sad Eyes down We'll get you a ticket to ride back to Vancouver town.'

-----------, The clock indicated that the time was that Thursdays Writing Collective l'dneedtwonightsinahostelonacotoramat.

Now for sure thanx were in order, which I humbly gave, The Thursdays Writing Collective, run b~ Elee Kraljii and they gave me a voucher, said a bed had been saved Gardiner, has begun its spring course. Jom us every for me, then I marched back to the Salvation Army Thursday afternoon from 2-4 pm unti IJ une 3 on t~e Where they checked my 10 and decided to turn me away third noor of Carnegie for writing prompts and discus- Because it seems that their Christian Help Plan sion. We are participating in the Story Box project to Is Not for those on Health Canada's need-for-weed plan. generate stories and collaborate with oth_er Lower Well I'm smiling high surviving, back out on the street, Mainland writing groups. We have also JUSt f~unded And while having a cigarette a couple of strangers I meet the Thursdays Editing Collective, a group of SIX pro_- Enjoying the smoke and the sunshine I told them my story fessional writers and editors who will work With wnt- They said, "Hey bro' man there's no need to worry. ing class members one-on-one_to give ed_iting fe~dback There is a Samaritan place not far from here, on creative writing. If you are mterested 111 workmg where there is shelter, food .. that just doesn't serve beer!' with an editor, please attend class. Then my eyes searched the blue sky, saw birds flying then ~:.:.:,::.,::.,::~~=:;.;;.;;;.;,;,;;.;.;,;;...;;.;.;;;;.;.. _______ and my heart stirred in gratitude, for simple things shared.

Knitting With Friends

This yarn contains many remnants of the pasture where the sheep grazed making the wool feel rough, like dried grass. l prefer much softer yarn. Soft yarn is a pleasure to knit. Stitch by stitch by s titch all working together to create a finished garment.

Life is rough sometimes. S mall grievances pile up during the day until the pebble in our shoe feels like a rock wall that is blocking our progress. Friends can soften life' s path. Sharing, listening, laughing, caring Each encounter stitched together like a warm blanket to create a better I i fe .

L isa David

!! you are invited to a special event !!

Ref connected an interlude of poetry, images and dance APIUL 8: doors 6:30; performance 8:00pm CbapciArts Studio Dunlevy and Cordova

info at dancingyourcdge.wordprcss.com thanx 10 Neighbourhood Small Grants Pro} eel

one time let go all gone no one one love as I found one one love one

-Hara

sound of waves I am left the low tides pull

-Hara

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7 Call for Creative Writing Submissions

Elec Kraljii Gardiner. of the Thursdays Writing Col­lective, and poet John As four are seeking submis-sions for an anthology book of diverse voices from Down­town Eastside Vancouver writers. We invite submis­sions in any form: poetry, prose and creative non­fie/ion . No art work, please.

Submissions are open to everyone who has been a member of the Downtown Eastside community at some point. in some way. Inclusion in the anthology will be based on the core merits of the work. Spelling and grammar will not affect consideration, though we ask that you polish your work as much as possible. We invite works on any topic or theme. Submiss ions do not need to include reference to the Downtown Eastside and can be humourous or serious but must move be­yond. "this happened to me," or ''th is is what I saw." The editors will select works that are vivid, fresh and truthful in revealing an aspect of humanity. We wel ­come all writers, including those who have not pub­lished. Each submission will be edited in conjunction with the ed itors. Contributors will receive two copies of the book.

How to submit by email: Deadline: April 15th, 2010 Please include your name, a brief bio and contact in­formation in the body of your email and the attach­ment. Send work as WORD or RTF attachment in dou­ble-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font to Elee Kraljii Gardiner at thursdayscditor@ telus.net

How to submit by paper copy: Deadline: April 15th, Leave a paper copy of your work in the box at the Car­negie Library on the first noor of the Carnegie Centre. Keep a copy of your work for yourself, as we will not be able to return submissions. Include your name, a brief bio and contact infonnation with your submis­sion. Please number and print your name on each page, and write clearly, doublespacing.

Owning the podium, selling the stadium

by Bruce Campbell

The Harper government portrays itself as standing up for Canada, but it is preparing a major selloff of Canadian interests that will compromise our cultural sovereignty, national identity and national security.

In the Speech from the Throne, the Harper govern­ment signaled its mtent to throw open the doors of foreign ownership in three strategic, previously protected, sectors· telecommun1cat1ons, satellites and uranium.

The issue here isn't foreign investment, which is allowed. At issue is a move to allow giant multinational conglomerates to come in and take over Canadian companies in these key sectors.

Our federal government has long shielded strategic sectors, for good reason. James Gillies, former dean of York University's Schulich School of Business-­and former Conservative cabinet minister-explains it well :

'We need to assure that firms considered strategic to the development of our economy are not taken over. The markets alone wi ll not provide the optimal solution. If we relied on markets alone to determine our economic destiny, this country would not exist."

There are many examples of how strong Canadian regulations work in the public interest.

For instance, foreign ownership restrictions, combin­ed with strong lending limits, are credited with shielding our banking sector from the worst of the 2008 global financial meltdown.

RBC Financial CEO Gordon Nixon warns: "If the banks do not have ownership restrictions, they'll be gone; ... [t)he new owners would likely run Canadian banks by remote control from enormous head offices and information centers outside the country [and] top

jobs would disappear and urban vitality would suffer."

The same applies to other sectors. Opening up sat­ellite and telecommunications companies to foreign ownership puts Canadian broadcasting on a slipper slope.

The advent of broadband totally erased the div1de between telecommunications and media, between communication and culture. Allowing foreign owner· ship in one sector will produce a domino effect, placing enormous pressure to do the same in other sectors.

Canadian media and telecom CEOs may be in favour of opening the floodgates, since it will no doubt boost share prices and CEO compensation packages. But it is not in the public interest.

How can we maintain cultural sovereignty if broad­casting decisions are made outside our borders?

Once decision-making passes into the hands of a Time-Warner or an AT&T, only the hopelessly na'fvt believe that the priority for using Canadian produc­tion and featuring Canadian content will take prec­edence over conglomerate interests. In reality, they will exert enormous pressure to bypass regulations mandating Canadian drama, news and music.

This will inevitably lead to the deterioration of our ability to tell Canadian stories and hear Canadian perspectives on our airwaves.

Not only would a foreign sell-off of Canada's tele­communications companies threaten Canada's cultural sovereignty, it would weaken our pnvacy ar11 security standards.

Telecommunications are part of our cntical infor­mation infrastructure. In the event of a natural dis­aster, do we really want our essential communica­tions infrastructure in foreign hands? Do we want thE personal records of Canadians subject to seizure under the U.S. patriot act?

The government has also signaled its intention to remove the 49% ownership limits in the uranium sector, putting Canada's national security at risk too

Companies, such as the French-owned Areva, would no longer have to seek joint ventures with Canadian partners. Federal legislation, which currently prevents a non-resident investor from owning more than 25% of the Canadian industry

leader and former crown corporation Cameco, would be scrapped.

For a government preoccupied with national security, to open up uranium control to fore1gn cap1tal - reducing 1ts ab11ity to regulate uran1um production and trade as the new nuclear weapons proliferation risk nses -- 1s cunous at best.

Far from eroding restrictions in these strategic sectors, the federal government should be adding to the list of strategic sectors, for example, our foreign dominated oil and gas sector Canada is the only major oil-producing nation that does not restrict fore1gn corporate control

The Harper government ma1ntams 1t wants to loosen foreign ownership rules to make Canada more competitive and lower consumer pnces. In truth, they're s1mply engaging Canada mto a race to the bottom, watenng down safety and cultural standards that currently protect the public interest.

A lot more goes into the sovereignty and ident1ty of a country than performing well during a winter Olympics It's one thing to own the podium. It's quite

_ another to sell off the stadium

Bruce Campbell is the CCPA's Executive Director

Carnegie Classics The Paci fic Rim String Quartet and clarinetist Johanna Hauser perfonn Beethoven's String Quartet, opus 95 and Brahms' Clarinet Quintet, opus 11 5.

"The Pacific Rim String Quartet (Li-Ling Liao on vio­l in, Ruth I luang on viol in, Robin Streb on viola, and Brian Mix on cello) is a compelling new addition to Vancouver's chamber music scene- a passionate quar­tet which embraces wide-ranging repertoire, from newly composed music to string quartet classics."

Friday, April 9th, 3:00PM Carnegie Theatre

-{!DAVE PATERSON-{! «puRVEYOR OF DELTA BLU~ & ROOTS MUSIC-« CONCERT

Wednesday, April 7'\ 7 - 9 PM For the past twenty years Dave Paterson has performec his solo acoustic blues show from Vancouver Island to M ontreal. Singing, blowing harmonica and working a variety or vintage acoustic instruments, with convictio and authenticity, Dave is a veritable one-man band. Playing Delta and Piedmont Blues, Ragtime, Country & Gospel Greats, Dave covers a v. ide range or Roots and Blues Music.

I?ave has also had the pleasure or sharing the stage With a number or talented performers including Steve Kozak's West Coast Blues Revue, The Hinton Jlart Band, The Twisters, Sandy Bone and the Breakdown and many other musical greats!

BASKETBALL LOVE

Louis Hurd - Basketball Coordinator

This i~ just starting and it's open to everyone! -g•veaway of clothes & running shoes

-TOURNAMENTS!! -Good for exercise and a Great Time!!!

Friday: : lf•to. ,,JO Saturday: 6 - 8 pm Sunday: 4- 6 pm

It all happens in the Gym at Carnegie

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Carnegie Community Action Project (CCAP) Newsletter

Read more at: www.ccapvancouver.wordpress.com Apr 1, 2010

Over 80 homeless got homes because they camped on condo site

I NOT\CE TO ALL UNAUTHOR\ZED OCCUPANTS I OF 58 W . HASTINGS STREET MARCH 12.2010

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58 West Hastings, the giant empty lot across from Army and Navy, has seen a lot of action in the last few months. Not with bulldozers breaking ground for luxury condos that Concord Pacific plans to build on that site, but with tent cities.

In February, homeless campers and their supporters set up a makeshift Olympic tent Village and by the end of the Olympics, about 40 homeless people were housed along with the promise that supporters would pull out (Continued on page 2)

(Continued from page 1) from the site. But even though the kitchen, stage and signs carne down, that wasn't the end. The campfire kept burning and the homeless kept coming.

A few weeks later, 10 big notices were posted along the fence by the City of Vancouver and Concord Pacific. They said that the owner, Concord Pacific, needed to remove campers from the property according to city bylaws. Thus began the negotiations to clear the new group of homeless campers from the site.

1n exchange for agreeing to move everyone off the site, the Portland Hotel Society found rooms and apartments for virtually all homeless campers in one intense day; 40 people got housed in total. One woman, who in my view was one of the most stable campers there, refused to take an apartment and a few days later was "committed" by a doctor, taken away by police to St Paul's but

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was immediately released as doctors at St Paul ' s did not agree with the assessment.

Other than getting a few good apartments, did anything else good come out of this? Concord Pacific may be getting the idea that it is not a good idea to build luxury homes in a neighbourhood where people are living in tents.

Another benefit --the homeless in Vancouver are more emboldened to speak up for themselves. 1n the lead up to move out day, the word spread quickly and a few homeless people from shelters joined the camp in the hopes they would get inside too. Although some may think this is . opportunistic and unfair, I say it's a really good sign. Tenting is seen as a pretty effective strategy now. Camp in the open, bring in the media, work with supporters and bingo, BC Housing takes action. Homeless people can take bold steps to push our governments to deliver some short term relief.

When shelters close on April 30th, perhaps we'll see this lesson applied again. First United, the Aboriginal shelter, the Stanley New Fountain and the Granville Street Shelter are all slated to close because of lack of support from Housing Minister Coleman. Well, keep your eye out for more tents. And watch for your opportunity to lend a hand. We may need your help. - wp

Our special community Our

community is special. As Sandy Cameron and Terry I Iunter wrote: "The DTES community has some powerful identifiers. One is sanctuary--the community as a place of sanctuary. Another is that it's a place of resistance: it's a place that fights for social rights. And it's a place of radical possibilities, a place where new ideas and new alternatives arise." The DTES has problems but also has assets that other neighbourhoods don't have.

Sanctuary: Why do people who are discriminated against come to the DTES? It's not just cheap rent. It's because the DTES is accepting. It is a place of sanctuary where people who are suffering feel at home and get help. In CCAP' s mapping and visioning people told us this over and over. They

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said this acceptance was basic to their recovery from addictions. We want this acceptance to grow here and become a model for other communities. We don't want our suffering people driven away from life-saving services.

Human rights: Because people in the DTES are so poor, it is a centre of the struggle for human rights that apply to people in the rest of the city and the world. If the city supports us to replace the illegal drug market with a regulated legal one, that could be a first for the country and the world. It's worth fighting for. If you listen to DTES residents, this area could be a model for establishing relations between police and low income people- a model for (Continued on page 4)

(Continued from page 3) the rest of the country and world. Our DTES Member of Parliament is fighting to make housing a human right. Our Pivot Legal is starting a national red tent campaign for a national housing strategy. Our DTES community leaders are going across the province helping others work on safe injection sites.

New ideas and alternatives: Look at CCAP's Action recommendations: Residents on agency boards. peer safety patrols, residents educating police. These are ideas that wouldn't come from a different neighbourhood, but they are good ideas and deserve to be worked on. Vancouver could be a model of treating its low income people as human beings, listening to them and acting on what they say, not simply pushing them out, improving far,:ades in their neighbourhood, "diluting'' them with richer people.

The importance of community for low income people has been enormously underestimated by politicians and planners. Community includes a sense of belonging, support networks, an informal economy, and easy access to health and social services. For low income people community also includes a link to the geographical place where all of these relationshjps take place. Middle class people have access to transportation so the link to their geographical community might not be as tight. They can travel to other physical places to

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meet friends, get services and support. But people with low incomes can't afford bus fare and cars so their local community is crucial to their well­being.

The City says it wants low income people all over the city. Assuming that affordable housing was available all over the city, which it isn't, pushing people out of the DTES would still be hard on the displaced people. How would they get to their services with no affordable transportation? If services move, how will they serve a scattered

population? I low will displaced people get to family and friends for support? Will they feel a sense of belonging or of alienation?

In Memphis, when people in public housing were scattered throughout the city because their public housing was torn down, the infant mortality rate increased. One article suggests that the reason for this is that low income people didn't have the same access to maternal services that they had in their old, poorer communities. JS

City to study impact of Woodwards In January the city passed a motion

saying "that a social impact study be conducted to assess the effect on the existing low-income community of new developments in the historic area and where opportunities tor enhanced affordability and live-ability may be achieved."

OK. this may sound good. but what will the study look at exactly? Why did they agree to do this?

As you ma) remember, in January CCAP and others pushed hard to have no new condos in the western part of the DTES until the future of the low-income community is secured. We also called for the cit) to do a study on the impact of Woodward· s and other nev. condos on the low-income community. We said if they did the study after approving condos it would be like measuring the water in the titanic while it's sinking. But Vision. the majority part) of city council, voted to allov. developers to build up to seven new I 5 story towers (probably mostly for condos). We don't know when the study will happen, but CCAP is bugging the cit) to make it happen soon. Maybe we can slow the sinking ship dO\.m with this study. It may help us save the next areas from rapid market development the Oppenheimer district and Hastings

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Corridor which are up for review next year.

A fe-v. weeks ago, CCAP met with city staff and told them what we would like to sec in this study. We said it should answer this question:

What has been the social and eco11omic impact of the Woodwards development and other market housing development in the DTES 011 tire te11ure and assets of the low­income and Aboriginal DTES community?

We reminded staff of DTES assets that are defined in CCAP's mapping report: I . Social housing that provides a

stable base for thousands of residents:

2. The rich cultural and community heritage;

3. Necessities that are cheap or free and nearby:

4. Health and social services that are close. available. needed and appreciated;

5. The many places to volunteer and participate:

6. Green spaces that help residents make a connection to nature and have become spiritually important;

7. Many residents have empathy for homeless people and people with health and/or addiction issues;

(Continued on page 6)

(Continued from page 5) 8. Residents feel accepted and at

home in the DTES: 9. rhe sense of communit) is strong; 10. Because the DTES is a poor

community and people experience many human rights violations. many residents work for social justice.

Plus, after feedback from the conununity. CCAP added another asset: 11. Arts practices and programs that

involve many community members. CCAP told staff that ··tenure'' relates

to the ability of low-income and Aboriginal residents who depend on welfare. disability. OAP/GIS and low wage and/or part time work to continue to live in the DTES community.

CCAP wants this study to investigate questions such as: - Are rents in privately owned

residential hotels still affordable to low-income DTES residents who depend on welfare, disabilit) and OAP/GIS for their income? Do ne-v. stores and ser\'ices opening up in the DTES serve DTES residents who depend on welfare, disability, OAP/GIS?

- Do lo\N-income residents benefit from having more condos in the DTES? If so, how?

- How will the assets of the low income DTES community likely be affected by market development?

- Are some hotels upgrading in anticipation of tenants who can

J

6

afford higher rents than current low­income DTES residents?

There are no guarantees that the city will use CCAP"s terms for their study. But we hope they will adopt it. It is really important that the cit) understand the impact of condos on low-income DTES residents before they approve more. - v;p

. Gena took this picture of Jean, Huglt, Stacey and Wendy, wlto went to city hall recently to present CCAP's draft vision for the DTES to city planners.

1

Jean publishes ammunition to end poverty on Vancouver Sun blog

A new report provides lots of ammunition for people who want the City of Vancouver to push for a poverty reduction strategy in BC, and for the BC and federal governments to restore social programs that used to alleviate and help prevent poverty.

The report is published by the Canadian Federation of Municipalities (FCM). Called, Mending Canada's frayed social safety net: The role of municipal governments, the report looks at poverty statistics in 24 Canadian metropolitan areas with a total of 17 million people (54% of Canada's population). Of the 24 cities, Vancouver has the highest percent of population with low income; the highest percent of working poor families; and the largest and fastest growing income gap between rich and poor. Welfare income was also very low in Vancouver, and Vancouver had the second highest number of households which paid more than 30% of their income for rent and/or lived in inadequate housing.

According to Basil Stewart, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which publishes these reports annually, the "federal and provincial retreat from traditional social supports like employment insurance and welfare" has "shifted the burden to municipal governments." "This retreat is

leaving more people on long waiting lists for affordable housing; making do with welfare payments that don't cover all of their basic needs; and struggling to get to work, find childcare or afford recreation programs. Tougher welfare requirements have led to increased homelessness and more 'working poor' families."

If you're a low income persort, or working with people who are, it's nice to see official recognition of conditions you experience every day. It would be even nicer to see government action on them. That's why a non panisan coalition ofBC groups are working to press the province to adopt a Poverty Reduction Strategy that calls for the following targets and timelines: • "Reduce BC's poverty rate by 30%

within four years, and by 75% within 10 years;

• Ensure the poverty rate for children. lone-mother households, single senior women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities and mental illness, and recent immigrants and refugees likewise declines by 30% in four years and by 75% in ten years ... ;

• Within two years. ensure that every British Columbian has an income that

. reaches at least 75% of the poverty line;

(Continued on page 8)

7

(Continued from page 7) • Within two years, ensure no one has to

sleep outside, and end all homelessness within eight years (ensuring all homeless people have good quality, appropriate housing."

Where could the money come from to do these things? Increasing minimum wage wouldn't cost taxpayers a cent. Housing for homeless people could be built if the province actually spent its $250 million Housing Endowment Fund for housing. Increases to welfare and disability and a national housing program could come from a fair tax system that would help distribute income and wealth more equitably.

There were some other revealing statistics in the FCFM report. The top 10% of income earners experienced faster income growth than the bottom 1 0% who need more income the most. While Vancouver had the highest percentage of the population with low incomes, the 10% with the highest incomes had the biggest increase in family incomes of any of the other cities between 2002 and 2005 . A fair tax system could even ·out some of these huge inequities.

There is other research that shows that just about everything bad in developed

8

countries is caused by income inequality: Alcoholism, drug addiction, poor health, early death, homicide, racism, sexism, even low voter turnout. Richard Wilkinson has a great book called The Impact of Inequality which explains the links between low income and all of these other conditions. If only we could convince our policy makers to take action, we could end poverty and homelessness in this rich country. We can all start by turning on our computers and going to http://bcpovertyreduction.ca.

HOMES fOR All

CARNECI£ m·; ACTION

PROJECT

Van city Support for this project does not

necessarily imply Vancity's endorsement of the findings or contents of this report."

Free/Low Cost Computer Services in the DTES

Carnegie Centre 401 Main Street Carnegie Computer Lab (7 days 9:15a.m.- 9:45p.m.)

Internet and Office Software: 3 sessions (1 hour) per day; Limited printing

Free with Carnegie Centre membership ($1 per year)

Carnegie Learning Centre (M-F 9-5, Saturday Noon- 4 p.m.) One to One tutoring in Computer use Six week Introduction to Computers Course (Chinese and English) Free with Carnegie Centre membership ($1 per year)

Carnegie Reading Room (7 days 10 a.m. -10 p.m.) Internet Use limited to 2 30m sessions per day; No printing Free

Door is Open Hours unknown Limited free Internet for cl ients of the Centre

Free Geek Community Technology Centre Tue-Sat 11 am-6pm Free computers in exchange for volunteer hours. Limited free Internet access.

373 East Cordova

1820 Pandora Street

National Academy of Older Canadians 411 Dunsmuir Street, 2 nd floor Computer Basics and other courses, 4 weeks. $48 plus $17 annual membership

Pathways Monday to Friday 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Limited free Internet; priority to job seekers.

UBC Learning Centre Tuesday- Friday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Free computer tutoring ; Internet, Office Software.

Vancouver Community Network Mondays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free drop-in computer help

390 Main Street

612 Main Street

411 Dunsmuir, 2 nd Floor

PANDEMONIUM Can someone out there please tell me when the fun ended, abruptly, after it all started, so suddenly like a massive, expansive explosion of fire and ice, erupt­ing like a volcanic emulsion of emotive, care-free people coming at me from all directions- a tidal wave of scarlet redness all askew in a frenzy?!! YES, oncoming and most seemingly never-ending rolling at me and, if I had unfortunately tripped and fallen in the rush l would have most certainly been crushed. True, however I perish the dark thought, I dodged and maneuvered and traversed the throngs of intoxicated, deranged revelers. This situation certainly couldn' t last forever. .. No­body's got this vast amount of time and money on their hands. It was all of it an anomaly, a once-in-a­li fetime opportunity of (for) madness, debauchery & mayhem on an international scale ... Heavy police presence, surrounded, everywhere the yellow/black holsters with guns, lasers, Billy clubs, pepper spray, etcetera etcetera etcetera ... Blocked & barricaded roadways, highways, byways & where oh where is my escape route?! I can map it out but the epicenter of the war zone was contained like a nash powder keg a twisted variation of a thematic tempest in a teapot that's rightfully exploded into a balloonin ballistic maelstrom of massive jubilation with glazed eyeballs amidst & among the endless shrieking and shooting of the Yalwo!set in growling belching bark ing vehicles of all types, names and descriptions at a static, stale standstill, bumper-to-bumper doing abs­olutely no miles per hour (no road rage ' round these parts!). Fueled and rapidly accelerated by booze-in­duced creation of an arcane Olympian burlesque of near fatalistic proportions, unleashed yet entirely constitutional: an irrepress ible irresistible orgy of games of chance and what seemed at times death­defying mindgames I politics I jingoism racing & gracing on crisp snow, sleek ice, with nowhere to run or hide or get lost or vanish but above it all to keep from falling into fatalistic trancelike seeming endless Red Seas of temporary insanity ... soon to end for all time (ahhhhh) ... that' s right, never to return, no more worries

ROBYN LIVINGSTONE {except/hat in 2 years the Olympic head-honchos go 10 Russia and, if they find there's no way everylhing

will be ready for 2014, I he Winter Games will, by default, be held in Vancouver again!! Ed.]

~~ COLLEEN'S CORNER Volunteer Committee Meeting Wednesday, April 7 at lpm in Classroom II All Volunleers welcome. Your voice is needed.

Karaoke - as a prelude to our Recognition Week! Friday, April 9, 7-lOpm in the Theatre Bring your hidden talent and sing for us all. Refreshments seNed to wet your whistle .. or your pipes!

Volunteers of the Month Mark Michelle, Dishwasher and helper extraordinaire Priscillia Tait, Board Member and Kitchen Queen

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION WEEK: April11 -17. (Look for tlte event brochure April 1st;

This week is an opportunity for ALL Volunteers to be applauded for many contri butions & the positive effects you have on our community! The Nomination Box for the Volunteer of the Year and the 4 Special Merit A wards wi ll be at the 2"d noor reception desk until APRJL 61

". (Noon cut-off)

The annual Volunteer Recognition Week is from Sunday the 11'11 to Saturday the 17'". Our Volunteer Program is a vital force in our community. It is a unique creation that provides enormous benefits, not only to the community that Carnegie serves but also to each and every individual who participates in it. l am so often humbled by the goodness l see in so many of you. What keeps me going at work is being around people every day who embody a spirit which compels them to do service for the good of others. Thank you for carrying the spirit of helping others throughout the year. Together we wi ll celebrate nd pay tribute to all our

volunteers. There will be something going on every day of the week. Please see the Events Brochure and sign up for trips, pick up your dinner and party tickets in the Volunteer Program office.

Volunteer Dinner Wednesday, April 14, 4:30 in the Theatre.

Recognition Party and Awards Celebration Friday, April 16, 4pm in the Theatre.

We've planned this celebration so you don't have to!

Every year the Carnegie Association (along with the peer nomination process) selects an outstanding volunteer as Volunteer of the Year. This person has met a high standard of perfonnance consistent ly and throughout the year. It's always a tough decision as there are so many volunteers deserving recognition. At this Celebration the Volunteer of the Year will be announced, plus the 4 Special Merit A ward people. It always kills us keeping this secret until then ... like I've said before, we can't say 'Snuffles' for much longer when people ask Who? Who?! Who?!! This party is for and won' t be any fun without you! Food, entertainment, your favourite T-shirt, door prizes, hilarity and more. Please get your ticket!!!

LlVE DANCE BAND directly following the party. THE ROCKINGGUYS good ol' fashioned rock 'n roll dance band. The cance is from 7-IOpm. Lock up your grannies 'cause Everyone is Welcome!

M6tto of the day: May you be content with yourself just the way you are. let this knowledge settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

I

News From the Library Evelyn Underhill was a British poet and mystic whose goal is to guide her readers on a journey towards mys­tical consciousness, and to see the '·eternal beauty be­yond and beneath apparent ruthlessness." Two of her books are brought togethe r as part of the Vintage Spiri­tual Classics series: Practical Mysticism: A Lillie Book for Normal People ( 149.3), written on the eve of World War I, and Abba, first published in 1940.

The Lizard King: The Esl·ential Jim Morrison, by Jerry l lopkins (921 MOR) is a fresh look at the li fe and music of Jim Morrison. Illustrated with more than 70 photographs and documents, the book also contains nine uncut interviews with Morrison.

Tlw Everything New Puppy Book by Carlo De Vito (636.7) takes you step-by-step from choosing a puppy, ~ousebreaking and training the puppy, feeding, groom­mg your puppy and keeping the puppy healthy. The book claims that without the proper time spem caring for puppies. "today's precious pooches can become LOmorrow's nightmare hounds." Homeopathic Guide to Stress, by Miranda Castro

(616.08) is an introduction to homeopathic techniques for coping with anxiety, nervousness, and other stress­related conditions. The book contai ns an alphabetical list of conditions, such as depression. and stressors, such as bullying, with an introduction to the cause of stress, a list of do 's and don'ts, and some suggested homeopathic remedies.

Many of us th ink about what awai ts us as our life 's journey ends. Dianne Godkin, in Living Will, Living Well: Reflections on Preparing an A dvance Directive ( 179.7), is des igned to help readers think about issues related to death and dying, and treatment of termi nal illn_e~s, while there is time, and when we are not in "cns1s mo?e." _This is 1~ot a le~a l guide to preparing an advance d1recuve, but mstead 1s a list of issues we sh_ou ld think about, people we should talk to about our w1shes, and the emot ional aspects of dealing with death and terminal illness.

Beth, your librarian

Hello there Paul. Hope all is going well for you.

I was wondering if you arc interested in a piece I wrote on a B.C. artist who painted a collaborative piece for Nodar the luger who died one day prior to the Olym­pics. She had a six foot blank canvas at one of the Olympic zones and let people paint strokes on it until her painting was complete. It is an amazing painting and it was painted by more than 8000 people.

Please let me know. Jackie

IIi J ackie, I'm always interested in readi ng your writing, but

won't put something in without reading it. Also, if your piece is about a painting, any photo of it may be great in colour but dull and dark in b&w. Another considera­tion is that very few, if any, of the paper's readers (in the DE at least) went to Whistler or any of the skating stuff here (speed or hockey).

I don't know anyone who doesn' t know one or more people who have died because of drugs or been mur­dered. It changes your perspective.

A few years ago there was a big 'society' thing called Taste of Nations where lots of people with copious amounts o f disposable income held a festiva l featuring dishes from around the world prepared by known chefs. The point to make it palatable to the great un­washed was that a spec ial charity-jar was under a spot­light and the well-heeled would put petty cash in it. It was a foregone conclusion that they'd raise the money to buy a van or truck to take leftovers from conven­tions, high society dinners, premieres and whatnot to local soup kitchens to give away. The idea was well­received since no one had to get their hands dirty, no one even had to help collect said leftovers, and cer­tainly no one had to ever touch, see or speak to anyone not making leftovers (i.e. low-income people).

1\ group of people from End Legislated Poverty and various housing, tenants' rights and treatment places

In Memoriam: Julie Rogers, DTES activist

I just found out that Jul ie Rogers, Pivot Legal Society board member, DTES activist and award winning pho­tographer passed away as a result of cancer. Jul ie was a personal friend and a cheerful and happy

person given the d ifficu lt circumstances she lived in. I could always count on a very happy and heartfelt he llo whenever I crossed paths with her. Shy at first. Jul ie

----------------~------------------------

got together outside the Pan Pac ific at the waterfront and had a banner saying Stop Poor-Bashing. Tlte Sys­tem Has To Change. A young ish woman, her badge identifying her as o ne of the organisers for Taste of Nations. came out furious that anyone would find fau lt with the whole shebang. Jean Swanson gave her 4-5 simple, straightforward reasons why the Taste of Na­tions just exacerbated the haves/have-nots division and did nothing to raise the awareness needed for meaning­ful change. It was like talking to a wall. We were j ust wrong and, worse, ungrateful fo r the crumbs being gathered from the tables of all the "good" people. The Olympics were great for the athletes and those

helping them excel, no question. The reality of no housing legacy, broken promises and billions spent o n stuff irrelevant to hundreds of thousands of people who now see their wee bits of public money - for support, for arts, for culture, for programs, for education, for possibilities- just wither away, the party was over be­fore it began. Spending $800 million on a second con­vention centre and cutt ing everything to the bone for years to come is just Campbell and his masters saying "We've got o urs and screw you!"

Keep your audience in mind, okay? PauiR

would quickly warm up and bring you up to speed on the major local issues of the day. She was involved j ust about everywhere in the ne ighbourhood, and had a level of compassion for the suffe ring of others that I have rarely seen matched e lsewhere.

If I were to try to sum up the positive vi be she gave j ust by being ncar her, the best I can do is to simply say that she was a genuinely good person who worked hard for others despite having nothing herself.

Jul ie was also a very talented photographer, regu larly winning awards in the Pivot !lope in Shadows photog­raphy contest. It's important to note that the contest is judged without names attached to photos by profes­sional photographers, and Julie won again and again, multiple awards almost every year. It is impossible not to wonder how her life could have

been different with her artist's eye had things turned differently for her, o r there been adequate supports for her to be able to take advantage of these skills. At the same time as there is binersweetness about possibly lost potential. it is almost impossible to imagine the neighbourhood without her activism, her dedication to the underdog and those who were suffe ring, and her relentless work with so many community g roups.

From a rather dated Pivot Post, but surely still accu­rate: "Jul ie Rogers has volunteered with Carnegie Cen­tre, the Housing Action Committee, the First Nations Caucus Working Group and VANDU. Julie is currently a board member with Save Our Living Environment and is employed at United We Can. Julie became in­volved with Pivot because of her concerns about access to j ustice, housing, and the protection of social ser­vices, particularly welfare and services for women." Thank you Jul ie, fo r your tireless and inspirational

commitment to social justice. You will be sorely missed.

By DAVID EBY

Recent Budget Cuts to People with Disabilities I Impact of these Changes This is an alert to the Community. I am a senior woman of 68, who is struggling on a small Federal Disability

Pension (with top-up from the Provincial Government). I still work part time to help supplement my pension, but that is not enough. The recent 20 I 0 budget cuts to Persons With Disabilities by the B.C. Liberals shows a total lack of respect to poor taxpayers. This was not widely reported in the news media; only by the CBC and Globe and Mail online. Personal costs have sky-rocketed in the past year with seniors having to pay medical care costs

In addition BC Hydro, which I pay over and above my rent, is now going up over 33% percent in the next four years. TV Cable costs are expected to rise again substantially in the next year since the recent CRTC ruling allowing Canadian Cable companies to do what ever they want, and in addition the HST will come in to affect in July. Due to climate I weather changes our grocery bills are higher too. On top of all this along comes more cuts to healthcare, impacting people who are at high risk for homelessness at any given time and those who are homeless and living on the street now.

The provincial government claims they are saving money by reducing these much needed health-care services but it just makes low-income people suffer more. This is life threatening at its worse and violates the rights of all people with disabilities. The UN Covenant to Protect the Rights of People With Disabilities was recently ratified by the Canadian Federal Government (March II oh 20 I 0) and the BC Liberals are violating it from the start. A few more facts and comments: "Just plain inhumane, short-sighted and stupid." Mary Walsh, speaking at the recent BCTF conference made a point that "throwing money" at an issue does work (the Own the Podium program for example!). Along with Mary Walsh and many others, I challenge the government to decrease poverty, increase human dignity and likely cut long term health care costs by provid ing people with what they need to (at least!) meet their most basic health care needs. I also challenge the government to finally address increased poverty and come up with a viable Provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan that actually works like the one in Quebec.

I am considering launching a human rights complaint as these cuts will affect my health and put me and others in imminent danger, increasing risks to our own health .. The BC Libera ls just love to pic k a fight with those who are mostly unable to fight back. And here I thought our society no longer tolerated bullies.

First they removed protections for d isabled persons from legislation and forced everyone receiving benefits to re­qualify. Then they reduced health care coverage and cut supplements. After reducing the average monthly cheque by $12 1, they generously gave back $40 two years later. Another unpublished cut came when they were giving themselves more than 35 % raises- for the rest of us a 33% cut to telephone subsidies. There is more informa­tion on the website of the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities:

Marilyn Elizabeth Young BC Coalition of People with Disabilities: Cuts to Medical Coverage a nd Minimum Shelter Allowance

Dear Community Partners, Fo llowing the March 2nd Budget, the Ministry of Housing and Social Development announced it will be making a number of cuts to the health and medical services available to people receiving provincial disability benefits and income assistance. Medical Equipment and Supplies A broad range of medical equipment and supplies will no longer be funded by the Ministry. Those that will be funded must be the cheapest appropriate to the person's needs and are listed in the regulations. Here are some examples of items that the Ministry will no longer fund: Diagnostic testing devices such as glucose meters; Contraceptive devices (eg. IUDs); Pre-made orthotics. Medical Services: Time limits and Income-Testing People with disabilities who leave assistance when they turn 65 and go on to the seniors' pension, or people who leave provincial disability for Canada Pension Plan Disability will on ly keep their medical and dental coverage for one year, rather than permanently as is currently the case.

People with disabilities who leave assistance for employment will only keep their medical coverage if they are receiving Premium Assistance from the Medical Services Plan. Restrictions on:how often the Ministry will repair or replace equipment and how much money the Ministry will spend on each item of equipment. For instance, motorized scooters valued at more than $3,500 will not be funded. Dental Treatment Cleaning, examinations and fluoride treatments will be reduced to once a year (currently twice a year). X-ray coverage every 2 years (currently every year). Shelter Allowance The $75 monthly Shelter Allowance for people who don' t pay rent is eliminated as of June I st 20 I 0.

Disability Community Stunned by Provincial Cuts to Crucial Medical Goods and Services

VANCOUVER- People with disabi lities who are already struggling to manage on provincial disability benefits have been told by the Province it will no longer pay for some of the medically essential items and services they depend on.

Beginning Apri l I st, the Province wi ll no longer fund a range of health items including pre-made foot orethortics, diabetic gluco-meters and a bottled water supplement of$20 a month for people with conditions such as HIV/AIDS.

··we understand the government is dealing with an economic downturn, but cutting funding for medically essential items to people with disabilities who are already struggling to get by is not the way to deal with it, said Robin Loxton of the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD).

··This will not save money," said the Coalit ion's Executive Director Jane Dyson. "People's overall health and well-being wi ll deteriorate and they will access the health system more as a result."

The BCCPD is also particularly concerned about the impact the government's decision to end the $75 shelter minimum will have on people who are homeless. "llomeless people have shelter-related costs. This cut means these people with disabilities will receive only $53 1 a month to live on, said Loxton.

The government is also restricting dental services for people with disabilities; for example, beginning April I st the Province will only pay for x-rays every two years. "The lack of adequate dental coverage has been a long-time concern of our community. Dental health is extremely important and the amount the Province pays is al ready inadequate at $1,000 every two years," said Dyson.

Background: People who receive BC Disabi lity benefits get a maximum of$375 a month for housing and $531 for everything else, including food and clothing. In order for provincial benefits recipients to access health supplements from the government they must meet all the eligibility requirements under the legislation.

For more information contact: Robin Loxton: 604-872-1278 Jane Dyson: 604-875-0188

«<I Man Stra:t. V6A. 7n

ntiS NEWSlETTER IS A PUBI.JCA110N OF 1ltE CARIIEGE COIBIUtiTY cam!£ ASSOCIATION

Mldes ~ tllevins Dfiadiwidual Conlribulafs and not of the Association.

WANTED Artwork for the Cmlegie Newsletter

Small ilustralions 1D aa:ompany irides and poetry Cover Clt-Ma:OmJm sizE: 17an(6 ~j wide X 15cm (6") h9l Subject m~ releYanliD issues pertairing to the Downkwm. Eastside. but all WOik IXlllSidered Blaclt & White priltilg only Size restridions wil apply (Le. if your piece is leo la!ge, i wil be reOOced illdlor aopped kl fit AI artists wiQ receive aedit for lleir waR; QigNis wil be returned to lhe a1isl after bein!l copli!dlbr puOIIi:abl; Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer 1iiets.

Carnegie Hiker's Haven -20 10

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Meade

~ 102.-7F.im-GP •.!t.inn

The f}ext issue is Thursday April 151h_

l!llpqpwfDIAJJLnm MONDAY, APRIL 12m

We a~k,;~~tedg~ u,;·Camegie c~;;~~~nY. c·;;;t,e: ~t':: this Newsletter, are occurring on Coast Salish Territory

·:~· ;.:_ · .. ...::~~ _. ·. . :..· .... .. • -.· :.~ . . ~

Editor: Pau!R Taylor; cover art by Paul St Germaine Collation & distribution crew: Bill, Lui Lin, Kelly, Ada, Mary Ann, Miriam, Yideha, Haro ld, Lisa, Robyn, Nick

2010 DONATIONS: Libby D.-$50 Margaret D-$40 Sarah E.-$46 Rolf A.-$50 Barbara & Mel L.-$50 Sheila 8 .-$25 Laurie R.-$60 Jenny K.-$25

SHIATSU MASSAGE (Starting Jaruuuy 2:z-ti)

Fridays, 1-4pm, Carnegie Centre Gym

First come- first serve Please sign up with the Therapists

§§Lifeline§§§

For our hiking en~husiaStS - a series of28 differ- Tenny Wai Ching Kwan MLA ent hikes in and around Vancouver, North Vancouver Working for You & Fraser Valley. Hikes range between easy to moder- l0?0-1641 Commercial Dr, VSL 3Y3 · ·. ate/intermediate to difficult. Beginning Monday Phone: 604-773-0790 · March 29- ending Tuesday September 28 - a hike scheduled every week! Sign ups will be available in the Program Office - first

come first serve. A Hiker's Haven Stamp Book wi ll be available for our hikers. Do 5 hikes and you will be eligible for a Hiker's Prize!

KEEP AN EYE ON THE HIKER'S HAVEN POSTERS.

Solder & Sons Used books - Coficc .cl Tea

Curious audio rccordin;:s & equipment

·141 Main Strcel- 3 1 S-719A

Asleep at the switch

If the allegations o fDERA's appalling mismanage­ment practices weren't surprising to Downtown East­side activists, as your reporter indicates, how did they get to be a shocking revelation to B.C. I lousing afier four years of perfidious business procedures?

During my tenure as President of the DERA Board ( 1994-2003), I can assure you if the annual audited statements were o ne day late, the phone would be ring­ing off the wall-- and rightfully so. These are public funds entrusted to the public good.

Was there no portfolio manager assigned to monitor the internal machinations of the society's activities? DERA is an organization run entirely by a volunteer

board of directors comprised exclus ively of Downtown Eastside residents, some of whom have the cognitive skills to detect malfeasance and sometimes not. If someone with g uile looks to exploit these shortcom­

ings in a situation such as this, it's ofien not difficult to

do. B.C. Housing is well aware of DERA's oversight structure and should have had a keener sense of smell than is demons trated by a llo wing $400,000 in arrears accumulate before wading in with rig hteous indigna­tion at the eleventh hour. This is a massive failure of public partnership as much as an alleged fai lure of trust by D ERA Executive Di­rector Kim Kerr et a l.

Ian MacRae, Vancouver

NO QUESTIONS ASKED T hree little words NO QUESTIONS ASKED do they bring a smile or construct waterways beneath you r eyes like the Ni le, can ' t say I never laughed no using yester­day's excuse Now excuse me w hi le I kick the sky .. another Big Bang theory shot to he ll.. still waitin' for my Nostradamus Calendar for 20 11 & up to Dec 12, 2012, I've gone out on a limb to buy these end-of-the­world bookshelves & if we live through this I've been promised some awesome artifacts called books. Let's

]

face facts li fe is a lottery gone MadMax! You don't want to win 41 mil by yoursel f no questions NOT asked now if only it could buy invisibility, mobility & a little self-esteem maybe re31ease some of that clogged real­ity bursting arteries s titch by sti tch seam byseam, look another shooting s tar shot dead by Skyway Security Patrol shooting stars is just practice don' t you remem­ber no one in space can hear you cry or die let a lone sc ream. I thinhk I hear one final hiss then a near-miss .. but you had to 'ave heard this: " London Bridge is fal­ling down to the ro unbd bi9ts a ll around" now every living person pleasure unknown can dubiously say they heard the final scream & sound? Like coming in 491

h

place in a Miss America Pageanttry and face compli­ments like condiments are nice but point out the ones that really care even when the former start pouring in ­it took that long ( 1/2 hour or so) 'cause they' re coming in from Mars. It really does take time to become tomor­row's stars; some began their ascent by pushing shop­ping carts to the moon by wrestling shaky handshakes or spitting pieces of Eng lish between outtakes, like kicking quicksand in my face- I'm fully prepared to pull up a chair & wait... for the bitten hand that fed was probly the culprit that misled you to the sinking party race which is now soaking its bread & quieting a big­moutthed face that he probly used on you & yours, Sink thaqt shrieking head! Like being woken up at 7am: yes it's Xmas yet they' re screaming, '·Why is the slave Santa brought me not breathing?!" Whether Kentucky or Kilimanjaro, from Charlie's Angels to those pharaohs is it good to be bad when the llardship Enterprise is your soulmate surprise As for liS Lollipp we all know the words to that: Will Mankind learn anything from everything banned & burned, lesson unlearned I think not as I remember NO QUESTIONS ASKED those 3 little words are of no concern which reminds me of another little burn - I've got this straig ht I think: South Dakota now has com­pany on the No Abortion bill this Pro-life is Death backwards, Ohio is the new state I think ... just a few more trill ion miles to go like throwing its $250 million at pregnant teenagers Crisis Solved! we've just de­volved to dead mothers' children's kids who are preg­nant and of course in bare feet. Prisons going up crime rises to the top; I don' t know how many times yo9u can say Enough is Enough.? Not enough but NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

By ROBERT McG ILLIVRAY

Volunteer Opportunity:

Lead English Conversation Classes If you are fluent in English and will ing to share your knowledge of Canadian culture, you can help people to practice speaking English conversationally

Free training is available in weekly workshops and benefits include developing public speaking skills, fa­cilitating and cross-cultural communication. The program is about 12 weeks long and volunteers

will lead classes for I to 3 hours a week with a work­shop for leaders on Friday afternoons. Go to the UBC Learning Exchange on Friday, April

16'h (612 Main Street) at I pm for an Info Session. Contact mark,smith@ubc.ca and 604-408-5183.