On August 18th, 2010, Tom Pearson (Chairman of Poverty Action for Change Coalition, and Make Poverty History York Region) met with The Honourable Bryon Wilfert MP from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, on behalf of Campaign 2000. The objective of Campaign 2000 is to “End Child and Family Poverty in Canada”, according to the following Campaign 2000 Declaration:

“We are committed to promoting and securing the full implementation of the House of Commons Resolution of November 24, 1989.” Commitment by National and Community Partners Campaign 2000, November 24, 1991.

Here is Tom Pearson’s recount of his meeting with The Honourable Bryon Wilfert MP from Richmond Hill:

“I was to be meeting The Honourable Bryon Wilfert MP with another who relies on wheel-trans to get around. When trying to book a ride, this person was told there were no rides available at that time because those early times are taken up by those who need medications, thus she could not go. I mention this because it’s another way those in poverty and reliant on public wheel-transport (in York Region) are often left out – such as in this case.

At any rate, we met on August 18th just the two of us (no assistant) and had a good discussion. I also received a letter the other day from his office following up on our meeting reiterating his positions..

I was impressed by his candor and knowledge. Having been a longtime municipal politician, MP Bryon Wilfert’s local knowledge was also good. He knew that 3 1/2 million people lived in poverty in Canada – seemed to have a grasp on poverty nationally as well.

The Honourable Bryon Wilfert MP supports a pan-Canadian conference on poverty (and a national poverty reduction strategy with measurable outcomes) which would include all levels of government and hear from those in poverty. He supports income supplements and a $10 national minimum wage and indexing it to the cost of living.

MP Bryon Wilfert mentioned:

• only 4.6% of a billion dollar allotted for fixing housing has been accessed to date and
• only 1.9% of $400 million for low-income seniors’ housing and
• only 0.1% of $75 million for helping house those with disabilities.

MP Wilfert spoke of investing – not spending – mentioning that the only 12% of infrastructure spending actually created jobs.

He feels that the bill C-545 and C-304 are private members’ bills and are “feel good” bills.
MP Bryon Wilfert supports pension reform, pan-Canadian learning approach including early childhood, aboriginal, workforce literacy for newcomers, and access to higher education and training.

The Honourable Bryon Wilfert MP’s letter to me concluded by saying he looks forward to working with me on this issue in the future…let’s hope he means it.”

Tom Pearson
Chairman, Poverty Action for Change Coalition
Make Poverty History York Region
www.povertyacc.com

Contact info:

PACC (Poverty Action For Change Coalition)
Mailing address
21 Dunlop St. Suite
200 Richmond Hill, ON,
L4C-2M6

Phone: 905-836-7931
Toll Free: 1-888-365-5226

Media only call: 289-221-0928

As a prelude to the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17, 2010) , the official stand-up-against-poverty count is slated for September 17th – 19th, 2010, to coincide with the United Nations meeting in order to put pressure on world leaders to attend to poverty. Since the world leaders will meet on September 20th – 22nd, the following event will happen on September 17th – 19th:

When world leaders gather at the United Nations for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Review Summit in September, the voices of their citizens will follow them, telling them, loudly and clearly:
“We will no longer stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and the broken promises to end it!’

Poverty Action for Change Coalition (PACC) agreed that they would have a stand-up-against-poverty event on location at Fairy Lake Park, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, on September 17th at 7PM . They can also have a short meeting at the same time for anyone wishing to help organize this event.

For those who cannot attend the official stand-up-against-poverty count event, people can still be counted towards a new world record for those standing against poverty by pledging online and vowing to stand while pledging. So you can stand up at home or at the park or wherever as long as you report it in (on September 17th – 19th). The link is on the website of Poverty Action for Change Coalition should you need it: http://www.povertyacc.com/GetInvolved.

Poverty Action for Change Coalition will be looking to call a meeting for organizers – anyone from all organizations attached to poverty – interested in collaborating as well on the committee of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

By the way, the Poverty Action for Change Coalition (PACC)  also named (and now delivered) a new program that they have rolled out in cooperation with the York Region District School Board, which they named “PACC to School”. Poverty Action for Change Coalition Chair, Tom Pearson, said, “what PACC did – distributed about 100 backpacks stuffed with supplies, calculators and other school supplies in the communities, and delivered them via a neighbourhood BBQ! Hey, how can you beat that!” As well Operation Sparrow‘s Spotlight Theatre School also performed in one of the communities, and they hoped to expand Operation Sparrow’s Spotlight Theatre School next year!

CONTACT:

PACC (Poverty Action For Change Coalition)
Mailing address
21 Dunlop St. Suite
200 Richmond Hill, ON,
L4C-2M6

Phone: 905-836-7931
Toll Free: 1-888-365-5226

Media only call: 289-221-0928

photo credit: zakgollop

Our alphabet letter ‘E’ recipe, from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), is for the delectable Ethiopian Tomato Salad. This Ethiopian Tomato Salad offers onions which are rich with the phytochemical diallyl sulfide, a substance that increases levels of cancer-fighting enzymes, thought to be especially protective against stomach cancer. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) informs us that raw onions will provide the highest amount of diallyl sulfide, compared with cooking at high heat. Furthermore, chopping and chewing the onion helps to release the phyto-power as well.

Ethiopian Tomato Salad

Directions

Makes 4 servings

1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1/4 cup chopped red onions
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 ripe tomatoes, chopped
salt, to taste

Combine jalapeño, onions, lemon juice, and black pepper in a bowl. Stir in tomatoes. Add salt to taste. Chill before serving.

Nutrition Information

Per serving (1/4 of recipe):

Calories: 25
Fat: 0.4 g
Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
Calories from Fat: 12.6%
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Protein: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 5.7 g
Sugar: 2.3 g
Fiber: 1.5 g

Sodium: 157 mg
Calcium: 8 mg
Iron: 0.5 mg
Vitamin C: 20.5 mg
Beta-Carotene: 379 mcg
Vitamin E: 0.4 mg

Recipe from The Power of Your Plate by Neal Barnard, M.D.

Please feel free to tailor the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) recipes to suit your individual dietary needs.

CONTACT
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) Weekly Recipe
info@pcrm.org

photo credit: toastforbrekkie

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) advises us to eat a plant-based diet with the right mix of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. All these three immune-boosting nutrients are important for proper functioning of our immune system.

As a good guideline, choose colourful vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes in order for your meals to be visually appealing as well as  provide a balance of immunity-boosting nutrients.

The following alphabet letter C recipe is a colourful “Curry Braised Tofu with Basmati Rice, Lentils, Dried Cherries, and Pickle Masala” recipe from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).

Curry Braised Tofu with Basmati Rice, Lentils, Dried Cherries, and Pickle Masala

Makes 4 servings

1 cup dry French green lentils or other green lentils
4 cups water
1 bay leaf
³/₄ teaspoon salt
1 black pepper, to taste
1 cup dry basmati rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon curry powder
¹/₄ teaspoon pickle masala
1 cup vegetable stock or water
1 juice of 1 orange
1 teaspoon orange zest, finely minced
¹/₄ cup dried cherries
1 large tomato, roughly chopped
¹/₄ cup thinly sliced fresh basil
1 pound firm tofu, cut into bite-size pieces
1 fresh basil sprigs for garnish

Rinse and drain lentils. Bring water to a boil, add lentils, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Turn heat down and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until lentils are soft. Cover and keep warm over lowest heat or in 150°F oven.

Prepare rice according to package directions. Cover and keep warm in rice cooker or in 150°F oven.

Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add oil, then onions, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, curry powder, and pickle masala. Cook, while stirring, for 5 minutes, then add stock or water, orange juice and zest, and cherries. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes more. Add tomato and sliced basil and cook until heated through.

Add tofu to the vegetable mixture and heat for 3 to 5 minutes until tofu is heated through.

Serve rice, lentils, and vegetable-tofu mixture in individual bowls and garnish with basil sprigs.

Per serving (1/4 of recipe)

• Calories: 609
• Fat: 13.3 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.9 g
• Calories from Fat: 19.7%
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Protein: 32.4 g
• Carbohydrates: 95.9 g
• Sugar: 17.6 g
• Fiber: 11.3 g
• Sodium: 754 mg
• Calcium: 325 mg
• Iron: 9.7 mg
• Vitamin C: 28.4 mg
• Beta Carotene: 480 mcg
• Vitamin E: 1.2 mg

Source: La Grenouille, New York City, New York

Toronto Mediatheque

At the NFB (National Film Board of Canada) Mediatheque in Toronto, Ontario, Canada,  the following free Green Screens  event will occur:

FREE

GREEN SCREENS presents WORST CASE SCENARIO

September 1 at 7 pm

Location:
NFB  Mediatheque
150 John Street
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3C3
416-973-3012

Also, you can watch 5,500 NFB films, all for free, all the time on the Internet

Green Screens is a monthly program at the NFB Mediatheque which highlights a different environmental issue each month, in partnership with the  Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy (CIELAP). The NFB Mediatheque selects the NFB (National Film Board of Canada) films to screen, and the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy  provides the panellists and experts.

If you are interested in the environment, Green Screens will entertain and inform you!

On July 17th, the Bicycle Safety Rodeo for children was a hands-on learning experience about bicycle safety.

It was held in the parking lot of  the Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church, 414, Royal York Road (at Melrose), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

For more info about the Bicycle Safety Rodeo events, please contact:
Nando Tullo,  State Farm Insurance Companies
416-253-4979; toll free 1-877-853-3276
nando@nandotullo.com

Sponsored by State Farm Insurance, this free program turned out to be great fun for the children as shown in the following SweetLoveable Video.

Both Poverty Action for Change Coalition (P.A.C.C.) and Make Poverty History (York Region Chapter, Ontario, Canada) have been hosting an annual event alongside events held world-wide on October 17th, which is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, for the past five years – last year, those attending helped set a new world record for those standing at one time against poverty. They hope to do even better on October 17, 2010 at Fairy Lake Park in Newmarket, Ontario!

Participants are wanted as York Region’s  growing event of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty would like to grow even more this year by adding information booths, activity area for kids, path-side singers/performers and the inclusion of some native cultural history representation. They also hope to have more talent/art/media displayed this year as well. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty event also typically attracts politicians, concerned residents, anti-poverty advocates, those living in poverty and random passersby!

Poverty Action for Change Coalition would also like to strike up a collaborative committee made up of concerned residents and organizations to help shape the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty event this year and help plan and execute it.

As Poverty Action for Change Coalition receives no government funding, they will look to accept donations to help pay their costs and think a donation of  a minimum of $50 per booth(payable to P.A.C.C.) is reasonable for those interested to set up a display – considering Poverty Action for Change Coalition  fights not only for the rights of low incomers but also lobbies for funding directly and indirectly for numerous groups and non-profits. Spots will be made available only to those groups assisting in those lives of people in poverty or marginalized by low income.

Please let Poverty Action for Change Coalition know how you would like to assist!

Contact info for Poverty Action for Change Coalition:
Mailing address
21 Dunlop St. Suite
200 Richmond Hill, ON,
L4C-2M6

Phone: 905-836-7931
Toll Free: 1-888-365-5226

Media only call: 289-221-0928