SFL Marks 20th Anniversary of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
News Release
For immediate release December 4th, 2009
SFL Marks 20th Anniversary of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Saskatchewan's labour central will commemorate the victims of the 1989 Ēcole Polytechnique massacre this December 6th, alongside workers and citizens across the country.
"Saskatchewan’s labour movement stands in solidarity with the “20 Days, 20 Ways” campaign of the Canadian Labour Congress. It begins with honouring the memories of the 14 women who were murdered that day, for the expressed reason that they were women. Violence continues to affect shocking numbers of women. Far too many of our daughters, wives, mothers, sisters, and partners live in fear and pain because collectively we have not solved the problem of the hatred of women,” says Mary-Beth Hollis, chair of the SFL Women’s Committee.
“The trade union movement believes that one key way to solve the problem of violence against women is to push our governments to promote and support women and their struggle for equality. This December 6th we are pressing the Harper government to promote and advance women’s equality, rather than continuing their agenda of diminishing it,” says Larry Hubich, SFL President.
The campaign highlights the need for a comprehensive social and economic program that includes:
- maintaining the long gun registry, which has reduced gun-related spousal homicides by 50% since it was started;
- access to affordable, safe housing;
- a living minimum wage;
- effective pay equity laws;
- a national publicly-funded child care programme;
- equal access to Employment Insurance;
- access to justice, including the resources to challenge discriminatory government action and legal aid;
- increased governmental support for women’s centres, rape crisis centres and women’s shelters;
- legal protection and support for women who report sexual assault.
Workers are mailing postcards on these issues every day, for 20 days, directly to the Prime Minister.
The SFL also invites Saskatchewan citizens to attend a vigil outside Member of Parliament Ray Boughen’s office, at #210 – 2631, 28th Ave. Regina, on Sunday December 6th at 4:00 p.m. (see attached poster)
“We will be sending a message to stop Federal Bill C-391 which proposes to end the registry of long guns. Let’s send a message to our government that the gun registry helps save women’s lives and should not be dismantled,” says Hollis.
The SFL represents 95,000 unionized workers from 37 affiliated unions in Saskatchewan.
With respect, Larry, I think there is very little evidence to support the contention that the long gun registry reduced gun related spousal homicides by 50%.
ReplyDeleteIt is also unfortunate to tie the remembrance of l'Ecole Polytechnique to support for this one contentious policy. Progressive people of good will may disagree about the merits of that particular policy. The implication that those who oppose the registry do not care about violence against women is unfair, unhelpful and unnecessarily divisive.
None of the other principles outlined are tied to a specific policy - ie, "a living minimum wage" is not further defined, meaning there is no need to create a wedge over what precise dollar amount would be appropriate.
Malcolm,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment and for participating in this blog.
The SFL is supportive of the Canadian Labour Congress's campaign around the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - 20 days 20 ways.
The CLC campaign calls for continuation of the long gun registry.
I have every confidence that if the CLC (as part of their campaign) states there has been a reduction by 50% of gun related spousal homicides attributible to the registry, they have the statistical evidence to support that statement.
Thanks again for your posting to this blog.
Unfortunately any evidence they have would be the same as the police cheifs saying that the registry is searched 9,400 times a day when the reality is 18 times a day or less across the entire country. There are so many statements of this or that out there that you can't trust or believe any of it for certain. Bottom line the gun registry is a collosal waste of money with little or no tangible value. Criminals do not care if a gun is registered or not.
ReplyDeleteDrop the long gun registry and intensify the hand gun control.