Well it certainly has been a very long time since I have posted - the longest ever since I have been blogging (almost one year). I can't believe it has been just over a month... Actually, I guess I can, because it has been a very intense month, on all fronts: work, family, personal life, political environment, etc. Lots of sadness, some happiness and joy, plus quite a bit of anger. The latter has mostly to do with Canada's current federal government, lead by Conservative leader Stephen Harper, which slashed one billion $ worth of funding to Canadian programs in late September.
The Harper government has gutted many social programs which were there to help all Canadians advocate for their rights. Why? Because their philosophy goes something like this: all Canadians are equal and have equal chances in life. Those of us who are discriminated against or disadvantaged in some other way, have just got to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and struggle, individually, to move beyond these injustices. Only 20% of Members of Parliament are women? Too bad - women just have to get themselves elected. There is poverty in Canada? Tell people to just get a job. Almost half the Canadian population has trouble with functional literacy? What a shame - but don't look to government to help them learn to read better. This is a ridiculous, paternalistic, right-wing way of looking at social inequalities and their solutions. Mr. Harper, you are George W. Bush's baby brother in every way - and I bet that makes you very happy. I am ashamed, personally.
I feel like this government has betrayed Canada and turned the country on its head, reneging Canadian values of solidarity with those who are discriminated against and marginalized: among others, women's organizations, literacy and adult learners, Aboriginal peoples, organizations and individuals advocating for their rights. I am angry with all those who voted for this pathetic government.
And I bet Clay would be too, since he is a left-wing person committed to working for inclusion and advocating with those who are pushed to the margins of our societies: in particular for him, children with intellectual disabilities. Clay would have supported those social programs, which were there to support efforts to achieve real equality and social justice for all citizens.
If you would like to know more, and participate in some of the organizing and activism which is taking place in reaction to the Conservative cuts:
- Women's groups' call to action
- Save the Court Challenges Program of Canada
- Actions against adult learning and literacy program cuts
-- ClayKat, not a proud Canadian right now
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