March 24, 2008
Diane Lloyd,
Chairperson Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB,
1994 Fisher Drive,
Peterborough, ON
K9J 6X6
Dear Ms. Lloyd,
The Asian Canadian Labour Alliance strongly condemns the racist and derogatory comments recently made by school trustee Gordon Gilchrist. His comments represent a significant low in race relations not only for residents of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School lake community but for communities across the Province of Ontario. Due to the racist nature of his comments ACLA believes that an appropriate remedy for his actions is for the Board to ask for his immediate resignation.
Mr. Gilchrist’s comments continue a long tradition of racist and anti-immigrant sentiments that have been exhibited by elected officials across this province. Whether it’s the cuts to adult ESL programs, threats to terminate the sole elementary school with dedicated ESL programs for recent immigrants, and constant threats to funding programs for new immigrants, his comments when examined in conjunction with these actions creates a climate where significant members of our community feel excluded and unwelcomed. If this school board is interested in proving otherwise then it would take the first steps to show its commitment to racialized communities and immigrants by demanding his resignation.
Furthermore we believe that his continued presence and participation on this school board represents a significant violation of the Ontario Human Rights code and your own equity and diversity policy. In consultation with the local community, ACLA may be interested in pursuing further action at the OHRC level.
Finally Anti-Oppression training seems to be in order for members of both your staff and your elected officials. To remedy this situation, ACLA can provide ample support with resources and resource people to assist your efforts if you choose to accept this offer.
We trust that the School Board will handle this matter with the utmost integrity and transparency that is owed to its constituency and the boarder community. Please feel free to contact me should you wish to discuss this letter further. You can reach me at ***-***-****.
Sincerely,
Chris Ramsaroop
Vice President
Asian Canadian Labour Alliance
For more information: www.racerelationspeterborough.org
Friday, April 11, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
EUGENE YAO, 1946-2008
EUGENE YAO, 1946-2008
Eugene Yao, 61: Chinese activist
Feb 23, 2008 04:30 AM
John Goddard
staff reporter, Toronto Star
Chinatown community leader and founder of the popular Urbane Cyclist shop, Eugene Yao, has died at 61. True to his values, Yao created the shop 10 years ago near John and Queen Sts. as a workers' co-operative and commuter cyclists' hub.
"It's like an old-style neighbourhood store," customer and friend Dora Nipp said yesterday. "Everybody knows you. It has all the courtesies and civilities of yesterday."
Yao was born in 1946 in Shanghai, China, and came to Canada in 1969 as an electrical engineering student at McGill University.
"He came to my 21st birthday party and we made an acquaintance, "recalled his wife, Winnie Ng, a McGill sociology student at the time. "After that, I bumped into him in the street. He was riding a bicycle and I said I'd like to learn."
Yao and Ng married and in 1975 moved to Toronto. He took a series of engineering jobs with large corporations, and both became prominent community activists in the Spadina-Dundas area.
She worked at Settlement House helping various waves of immigrants, ran for Parliament as Trinity-Spadina' s New Democratic Party candidate in 1993 and is on leave from her position as Ontario director of the Canadian Labour Congress to study for a PhD.
He helped establish English-language classes for garment workers and later served as Toronto president of the Chinese Canadian National Council.
In 1994, Yao lost his job to corporate restructuring. "He later said it was a blessing in disguise," Ng said. "It freed him to take a risk and do something entirely different."
Long a passionate environmentalist and bicycle lover, Yao took a course from the Barnett Bicycle Institute in Colorado and a business course from Seneca College. With three others and neighbourhood volunteer help, Yao opened the cycling shop as a democratic co-operative of worker-members.
"I can go away for a month and know that everything will be okay," he told an interviewer last year.
Yao died Feb. 12 of liver and heart problems. A celebration of his life [was held February 23], 4-6p.m., at Cecil Community Centre, 58 Cecil St.
The Ontario College of Art and Design is accepting donations for the Eugene Yao Urbane Cyclist Bicycle Design Award. For more information on donating, email
mailto:development@ ocad.ca or call 416-977-6000, Ext. 487.
More information about Urbane Cyclist, a worker-owned and operated co-operative: http://www.ucycle. com/
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
ACLA writes editorial to Toronto Star
Re: Why I’m voting against MMP
Sept. 28, 2007
Dear Editor,
The Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA) and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) believe that a “more dynamic, forward looking analysis” as suggested by the Toronto Star columnist, Ian Urquhart, ought to have given him comfort with an electoral system (MMP) that would give political representation to ideas with significant support in the population. Further, on mature reflection his democratic sensibilities may lead him to distance himself from our current first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system that manufactures one-party majority governments without at least 50% + 1 of the popular vote. If the electorate does not give even a razor thin majority of its votes to one party, it may instinctively desire a coalition of parties to form a government. A majority-coalition government under the proposed Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system may more broadly represent the policy preferences and priorities of a majority of Ontarians as opposed to a one-party majority government with a plurality of the vote, for example, 45% of the votes.
Ian seems fearful of the potential political power of racialized voters who make up over 19% of the province’s population. There were less than 9% racialized MPPs in the recent legislative session at Queen’s Park. Over 43% of racialized Ontarians live in the city of Toronto. This demographic reality is not proportionately reflected in the racial identity of the political representatives who are elected from this highly racialized city. Based on the experience of many countries with the MMP system, racialized minorities, women, and other excluded groups are better represented in the legislative bodies than under FPTP. With the fairer MMP electoral system, this bloc of racialized votes will no longer be taken for granted, and treated like second class citizens.
Jenny Ahn, Co-President of ACLA and Ajamu Nangwaya, 2nd Vice-President, CBTU
Sept. 28, 2007
Dear Editor,
The Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA) and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) believe that a “more dynamic, forward looking analysis” as suggested by the Toronto Star columnist, Ian Urquhart, ought to have given him comfort with an electoral system (MMP) that would give political representation to ideas with significant support in the population. Further, on mature reflection his democratic sensibilities may lead him to distance himself from our current first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system that manufactures one-party majority governments without at least 50% + 1 of the popular vote. If the electorate does not give even a razor thin majority of its votes to one party, it may instinctively desire a coalition of parties to form a government. A majority-coalition government under the proposed Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system may more broadly represent the policy preferences and priorities of a majority of Ontarians as opposed to a one-party majority government with a plurality of the vote, for example, 45% of the votes.
Ian seems fearful of the potential political power of racialized voters who make up over 19% of the province’s population. There were less than 9% racialized MPPs in the recent legislative session at Queen’s Park. Over 43% of racialized Ontarians live in the city of Toronto. This demographic reality is not proportionately reflected in the racial identity of the political representatives who are elected from this highly racialized city. Based on the experience of many countries with the MMP system, racialized minorities, women, and other excluded groups are better represented in the legislative bodies than under FPTP. With the fairer MMP electoral system, this bloc of racialized votes will no longer be taken for granted, and treated like second class citizens.
Jenny Ahn, Co-President of ACLA and Ajamu Nangwaya, 2nd Vice-President, CBTU
Friday, September 28, 2007
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/
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/
MMP Debate - Friday September 28, 7pm
Major Pundits and Politicos to Debate Electoral Referendum in Toronto*
The Queen's University Centre for the Study of Democracy is staging a major referendum debate on Friday September 28th at 7pm at the MaRS Complex in Toronto.
The National Post's political affairs columnist Andrew Coyne and former Ontario minister Marilyn Churley will make the case for adopting the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system proposed by Ontario's Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
They will square off against Toronto Sun Queen's Park columnist Christina Blizzard and former Ontario minister Charles Harnick who will defend Ontario's existing First-Past-The-Post electoral system.
The debate will be hosted by the Centre's director Thomas Axworthy and will include introductory remarks by George Thomson, Chair of the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
Seating is limited and available on a first-come basis.
*Media inquiries:*
Peter MacLeod
Research director, Democratic futures
Centre for the Study of Democracy
School of Policy Studies
Queen's University
416.833.3194
macleod@theplanningdesk.com
The Queen's University Centre for the Study of Democracy is staging a major referendum debate on Friday September 28th at 7pm at the MaRS Complex in Toronto.
The National Post's political affairs columnist Andrew Coyne and former Ontario minister Marilyn Churley will make the case for adopting the new Mixed Member Proportional electoral system proposed by Ontario's Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
They will square off against Toronto Sun Queen's Park columnist Christina Blizzard and former Ontario minister Charles Harnick who will defend Ontario's existing First-Past-The-Post electoral system.
The debate will be hosted by the Centre's director Thomas Axworthy and will include introductory remarks by George Thomson, Chair of the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
Seating is limited and available on a first-come basis.
*Media inquiries:*
Peter MacLeod
Research director, Democratic futures
Centre for the Study of Democracy
School of Policy Studies
Queen's University
416.833.3194
macleod@theplanningdesk.com
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Joint Discussion on the proposed Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system
The Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA) and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Joint Discussion on the proposed Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system
The Ontario Provincial Election is fast approaching on October 10, this coming election will also mark a historical day for all Ontario voters. Please come out and join us for an afternoon of discussion around this fall’s referendum on Ontario ’s provincial voting system.
· What does the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system mean for racialized workers and our communities?
· Will Mixed Member Proportional Representation translate into better representation and economic betterment for our communities?
· What are the drawbacks and opportunities for implementing a new voting system?
· How do we tie this referendum vote to our strategy for the Provincial election?
· What significance will this referendum bring to future elections?
Sunday, September 9, 2007
CAW Local 40
720 Spadina Ave. (1 block south of Bloor St .)
2:00pm – 5:00pm
If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Wall at 416-537-6532 ext.2215 or Anna Liu at (416) 839-5763.
The Ontario Provincial Election is fast approaching on October 10, this coming election will also mark a historical day for all Ontario voters. Please come out and join us for an afternoon of discussion around this fall’s referendum on Ontario ’s provincial voting system.
· What does the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system mean for racialized workers and our communities?
· Will Mixed Member Proportional Representation translate into better representation and economic betterment for our communities?
· What are the drawbacks and opportunities for implementing a new voting system?
· How do we tie this referendum vote to our strategy for the Provincial election?
· What significance will this referendum bring to future elections?
Sunday, September 9, 2007
CAW Local 40
720 Spadina Ave. (1 block south of Bloor St .)
2:00pm – 5:00pm
If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Wall at 416-537-6532 ext.2215 or Anna Liu at (416) 839-5763.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
New member joins
Elizabeth Ha of MPAC has joined ACLA. She Vice-chair of OPSEU's Workers of Colour Caucus.
This is a photo from the caucus webpage at: OPSEU website
Their mandate is "to provide representation and support to our brothers, sisters and youth of colour to participate in the future of our union." For more information contact OPSEU’s equity unit: sroe@opseu.org (1-800-268-7376 x 790); Caucus Chair: Peter Thompson at thompspe@mpac.ca (1-877-517-7408 Ext. 218); Caucus Vice-chair: Elizabeth Ha at elizabethhaha@yahoo.com (1-877-517-7408 Ext. 245).
This is a photo from the caucus webpage at: OPSEU website
Their mandate is "to provide representation and support to our brothers, sisters and youth of colour to participate in the future of our union." For more information contact OPSEU’s equity unit: sroe@opseu.org (1-800-268-7376 x 790); Caucus Chair: Peter Thompson at thompspe@mpac.ca (1-877-517-7408 Ext. 218); Caucus Vice-chair: Elizabeth Ha at elizabethhaha@yahoo.com (1-877-517-7408 Ext. 245).
CCNC-TO AGM
CCNCTO's Annual General Meeting: "A Living Wage for a Prosperous Community" with special guest speakers, Cheri DiNovo and Rowena Santos (Saturday March 31, 2007). The AGM was very well attended this year and a new board was successfully elected. Those in attendance included many ACLA members.
ACLA members in attendence: Mike Ma, Victoria Shen, Gloria David, and Frank Saptel.
The new 2007-08 CCNC-TO board members.
Doug Hum (ACLA member) attends the CCNC-TO AGM.
This member has dutifully attended the last 10 consecutive AGMs!!!
Phillip Tsui with special guest speakers, Cheri DiNovo and Rowena Santos.
ACLA members in attendence: Mike Ma, Victoria Shen, Gloria David, and Frank Saptel.
The new 2007-08 CCNC-TO board members.
Doug Hum (ACLA member) attends the CCNC-TO AGM.
This member has dutifully attended the last 10 consecutive AGMs!!!
Phillip Tsui with special guest speakers, Cheri DiNovo and Rowena Santos.
Friday, March 30, 2007
ACLA endorses: May Day of Action for Status for All
Saturday, May 5
12pm
Bloor and Christie (Christie Pitts Park)
*********************************************
No One Is Illegal-Toronto calls on all allies and supporters to endorse and help organise towards the next May Day of Action for Status for All on Saturday, May 5th.
Last May, millions of immigrants and allies across North America took to the streets to demand justice for immigrants and refugees and status for all. In Toronto, workers, students, trade unionists, activists and members of faith communities among others participated in a series of strong and vibrant immigrant rights demonstrations including the May 27th National Day of Action for Status for All.
Anti-Scab Bill C-257 is defeated.
"Disgusting," say Vancouver Elementary Teachers to the defeat of Bill C-257
VANCOUVER, March 22 /CNW/ - "I'm sorry to hear that Bill C-257 was defeated in the House of Commons," says Glen Hansman, President of the Vancouver Elementary School Teachers' Association.
Bill C-257 was a federal bill to ban the use of scabs in labour disputes that fall under federal jurisdiction. It was defeated Wednesday in the House of Commons by a vote of 177 - 122, after already being previously approved in principle on second reading.
"It's disgusting that a federal bill like this would be defeated, and that Stephane Dion sided with Stephen Harper to make it happen," says Glen Hansman. "Bill C-257 mirrors laws already in existance in Quebec and British Columbia to protect workers jobs and collective bargaining rights."
"Thank you to the NDP MPs and other MPs that supported this Bill," says Glen Hansman. "Hopefully it won't be the last we see of it, and that the fear-mongering by big business won't override worker's rights."
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
PanAsian Network Against Racism Roundtables
The upcoming PanAsian Network Against Racism roundtables will take place in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. All are invited.
Calgary Roundtable
Dec 8th, 2006 Agenda: " Is Racial Profiling a Human Rights Issue?"
Regional meeting 2:00-4:00 pm
Human Rights event on Racial Profiling 4:30-7:30 pm
Dinner at 8:00 pm
please RSVP info@ecccalgary.
Toronto Roundtable
Thursday December 14, 2006, 2:30 PM
At CCNC National Office
302 Spadina Ave, Suite 507
Please RSVP Karen Sun at karen@ccnctoronto.
Vancouver Roundtable
Media Production and Amplification on the Cheap
Location: Britannia Community Centre (1661 Napier) (corner Napier/Commercial)
*Wednesday, December 6th, 2006: 7 to 9pm
(Finishing any material left and how to effectively access community television/media in Vancouver) Facilitated by Sid Tan
Please RSVP Sid Tan at sidchowtan@gmail.
Also, please check out the website at www.freewebs.
For colleagues in Toronto:
CCNC National is also co-hosting an International Human Rights Day event on December 7, 2006 at 5pm at CCNC National Office
302 Spadina Ave, Suite 507 with Urban Alliance on Race Relations, NARCC, CCNCTO and Community Labour Services.
Please RSVP Yumei Lin yumei@urbanalliance
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