WHEN: Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
WHERE: Steelworkers Hall
TIME: 1:00-4:30

PLEASE REGISTER AT: www.qualitycommunity.ca
or phone (705) 254-6706
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Nov 14th,2008

JOIN US AS WE LISTEN TO TWO DYNAMIC SPEAKERS!!

CATHY CROWE
Cathy, Toronto street nurse for over 20 years, has fostered numerous coalitions and advocacy initiatives. In 1998 Cathy co-founded the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee (TDRC) which declared homelessness a National Disaster. The disaster campaign is a three level campaign targeting federal, provincial and municipal solutions to the homeless disaster and housing crisis. Its signature 1% slogan refers to the demand that all levels of government commit an additional 1% of their budgets to an affordable, social housing program. Cathy’s current project is Executive Director of Home Safe-which is a series of films based in Calgary, Toronto, Hamilton and Sault Ste. Marie.

MIKE BALKWILL
Mike will speak about the 25 in 5 Poverty Reduction Plan with a goal to reduce poverty in Ontario by 25% in 5 years and 50% in 10 years. Report after report has documented that, despite record levels of economic growth, poverty has persisted at the same high rates for an entire generation. The three key elements of the strategy are: Sustaining employment, livable incomes, and strong and supportive communities. Just as it is much more costly to treat a disease than prevent one, it costs more to provide emergency hostels than affordable housing. Homelessness, just one facet of poverty, costs Canada at least $4.5 billion every year in emergency services, medical treatment and more.


Steelworkers Local 2251 Sault Ste. Marie Homelessness Coalition
Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition Community Quality Improvement
Soup Kitchen Community Centre Bill Therriault, Facilitator