We Are Ontario Rally a Success
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- Published on 14 May 2012
Toronto ACORN members joined with over 15,000 activists, labour organizations and community groups from across the province on the lawn of Queen's Park earlier this month to rally against austerity measures in the Liberals’ provincial budget.
The crowd heard moving and powerful speeches from representatives of nearly 20 organizations before moving forward in an impressive march through the city. The event helped put pressure on the government to vote for a budget that adds a surtax on the super rich, and rejects a social assistance rate freeze.
Despite Surplus, Mayor Ford Pushes for Deep Cuts
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- Published on 12 January 2012
On January 17th, Toronto ACORN members from across the city will be rallying at city hall while city council meets to discuss and vote on Mayor Ford's proposed 2012 budget. Despite the city's close to $150 million surplus, the Ford administration is pushing massive unnecessary service cuts as part of a radical conservative agenda.
Toronto ACORN members will be gathering at 4pm at the front doors of City Hall and progressing into council chambers with the demand that council votes against the proposed cuts to childcare, transit service, community centres, libraries and other services that are essential parts of our neighbourhoods.
Join Us >>
Where: City Hall (100 Queen St. West)
When: 4pm
Why: Call on City Council to reject Ford's cuts
Ottawa Metro: Residents kick up some dirt on Michele Park
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- Published on 12 December 2011
Complaints of poor lighting, crime, garbage, drugs, needles in park
Bay Ward Coun. Mark Taylor vowed to clean up Michele Park and make the area safer after a small group of angry residents held a protest there on Tuesday.
Residents said there isn’t enough lighting on streets at night and are worried about gang violence and garbage in and around the playground.
ACORN Ottawa, a non-profit organization that advocates for low-income families, organized the protest.
“As you can see, the garbage laying around —that’s a big issue,” said Jessica May, a mother of two who lives near the park.
“We don’t know what’s in the sand. I’ve discovered needles, I’ve discovered joints.”
“It’s just not safe.”
Taylor reassured residents that he will address issues such as lighting, garbage and recycling receptacles, and maintenance of the park.
But he also requested that the community take an active role in improving the conditions of the park.
Taylor encouraged the community co-ordinator for the area to attend his upcoming bi-monthly meeting in January to address residents’ biggest concerns.
Original article available at: http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/1044996--residents-kick-up-some-dirt-on-michele-park
Social Assistance Forum Draws Candidates
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- Published on 20 October 2011
Ottawa ACORN members hosted a Social Assistance Forum Sept 15 and invited candidates in the provincial election to answer hard hitting questions around the rates of social assistance, special diet, child poverty, affordable housing and more.120 community members attended and as well as a number of local media outlets. Representatives from the New Democrats, Liberals, Green Party, People's for Special Needs Party and others participated. All parties were invited so members and the community could hear their views before casting their vote on election day.
Dan Oickle, a leader from Ottawa ACORN had this to say:
"We did a good event, but politicians need to be held accountable for the promises they make. Politicians are politicians, but we need to make sure they remember who elected them."
The Province: Trying to flush out change for tenants
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- Published on 07 July 2011
Tenants who endure long waits to deal with problems with landlords at the province's Residential Tenancy Branch in Burnaby -without benefit of a public washroom -got some help Wednesday when the advocacy group ACORN Canada delivered a makeshift portable toilet to the branch's Kingsway office.
ACORN said it wanted to make a point to branch executive director Suzanne Bell that she needs to provide facilities for clients.
"We thought we got our point across loud and clear," said ACORN spokesman John Anderson.
Original article available at: http://www.theprovince.com/business/Trying+flush+change+tenants/5063526/story.html
