Ethno-Racial Labour groups endorse MMP

Electoral Reform is Integral to Address Needs of
Racialized Communities

WHO: Asian Canadian Labour Alliance and Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
WHAT: Press conference endorsing Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMP)
WHERE: 215 Spadina Avenue
WHEN: Thursday September 27, 2007 @ 10:00 a.m

(Toronto) The Asian Canadian Labour Alliance and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Ontario’s two largest ethno-racial labour organizations, are announcing their support for Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMP). Joining them are the Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Office and Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. Electoral Reform is seen as a necessary step to increase representation from racialized communities in the provincial legislature.

“We need to ensure that voices from our communities are heard, too many decisions are being undertaken with little consultation or input from the communities most impacted” says Ajamu Nangwaya from the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU).

“Its time that all four political parties in Ontario to take the issue of representation of racial minorities seriously” adds Jenny Ahn from the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA), “for too long they have ignored our voices; MMP will provide us with the opportunity to hold politicians accountable both through direct democracy as well as challenging who political parties choose as candidates on their ‘party slates’” continues Jenny Ahn from ACLA.

The press conference is being held to announce their rationale for supporting MMP and what steps the organizations will be undertaking to raise awareness of MMP.

Speakers include:
Jenny Ahn, Asian Canadian Labour Alliance
Ajamu Nangwaya, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
Amy Casipullai, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
Karen Sun, Chinese Canadian National Council, Toronto Office

For more information:
Chris Ramsaroop (647.834.4932),
Amy Casipullai (416.322.4950 x 239)
Ajamu Nangwaya anangwaya@hotmail.com
http://asiancanadianlabouralliance.blogspot.com; and the CBTU’s website http://www.cbtu.ca/