Well-deserved recognition of Granny Cathleen!
From “The Good News Page” of the April, 2012 CCPA Monitor: Lifetime achievement GUELPH, ON. – Cathleen Kneen, outgoing chair of Food Secure Canada, was presented with a lifetime achievement award from the Organic Council of Ontario at its recent Organic Conference held in Guelph. Her contribution to organics started many decades ago as a farmer in the Maritimes with her husband, Brewster. Cathleen’s work in the food systems movement has always been cutting edge. Her mentorship of community food activists across the country has created a generation dedicated to...
Read MoreLetter to the Editor supporting Hassan Diab
Just before the Easter holiday (timed to minimize attention from the press), Minister Nicholson signed the extradition order for Hassan Diab to be sent to France. Fortunately, Chris Cobb of the Ottawa Citizen covered this distressing news. Check it out. In response, I sent the following letter to the editor, which was published. Flimsy evidence presented By Jo Wood Ottawa Citizen April 10, 2012 Re: ‘We expected this decision, but not this way,’ April 6. I’ve followed the Hassan Diab case closely and am shocked that Minister Rob Nicholson signed the...
Read MoreIt’s a Long Way to the Food Bank
Tune: It’s a Long Way to Tipperary It’s a long way to the Food Bank All my friends are–in line– With cuts to–social programs no one’s doing fine! It’s goodbye to good health care– disabled wane and pine while the rich folk’s fill their bulging pickets.. Our kids ask us … “Why”?? Well thanks to Michael Harris and his 905 friends– “Cut the welfare, chop support groups, such waste has got to end!” Put the axe to social housing farewell to day care. Social action now and we will...
Read MoreFlaw in the System
Tune: Hole in the Bucket There’s a flaw in the system when the rich just get ricker and the poor just keep falling down into the pits. When cutting down taxes Means programs get ax-ed poor kids have got problems that will not get fixed. And if you’re dis-abled or just dis-enabled well, you’ro outta luck when the goodies are hurled! Well, Grannies want changes! This poor-bashing pains us. Treating people like shit is a crime we should quell. There’s a flaw in the system and you damn well know it– So why won’t you fix...
Read MoreGrannies Join ACORN in Protest Against McGuinty Budget
A number of the Ottawa Raging Grannies, Ann, Jake, Jo, Ria, Shannon joined the ACORN antipoverty group in a protest at Dalton McGuinty’s office. We were protesting the freeze on welfare and disability payments in the provincial budget, particularly harsh since the cost of living is forever rising. We sang two of our anti-poverty songs, “It’s a Long Way to the Food Bank” with “McGuinty” substituted for “Harris” whose attack on the poor inspired the words. We also sang “Flaw in the System“, as true now as...
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