Minister of State for the Status of Women Helena Guergis has made several announcements over the last ten days with respect to small funding grants to various groups across Canada, particularly those encouraging and coordinating educational projects for women entrepreneurs fitting with SWC's theme Strong Women, Strong Canada. There has been no announcement about funding for the Sisters in Spirit initiative of the Native Women's Association of Canada. From the Winnipeg Free Press :

"We haven't heard anything," said Sisters in Spirit director Kate Rexe. "The government is silent on the issue."

Firearms workers protest while Flaherty visits
Daniel Martins, Miramichi Leader

Protesters from the Canadian Firearms Centre planned to meet the federal finance minister when he came to Miramichi Monday. Just under a dozen workers waited with placards outside the Rodd Miramichi for Jim Flaherty in the hopes of voicing lingering concerns over their jobs after parliament voted to abolish the long-gun registry late last year.

How times change!  For the second time in barely a year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has sent Parliament packing.  This time, he claims that it's time for the government to “recalibrate”. 

Prime Ministers usually prorogue Parliament when they want to revitalize it or chart a new course.  But taking a break of almost three months when the economy is still in shaky shape and more than one and a half million people are still unemployed is an affront to those who need government action to get back to work. 

Over fifty members from the Atlantic Region attended the National Health, Safety & Environment Conference in Montreal on November 20 – 22, 2009.  The conference theme was “Regulate – Agitate – Enforce.”  Delegates participated in workshops on enforcement of legislation, effectiveness of joint committees, and the union’s role in dealing with the environment.  In addition, 18 resolutions were debated.

Welcome to the new website for the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Atlantic Region. The site is designed to make it easier for members to mobilize around our fights and celebrate our victories. It features a new Coming Events section that provides a snapshot of events happening in every province. This showcases all of our good work and allows our members to draw inspiration from each other. The site also has a Current Campaigns section that calls members throughout the Atlantic to action. This section will make it easy to become an activist even if you only have five minutes to spare. The site is updated regularly. Visit often and enjoy.

In Solidarity,

Jeannie Baldwin, REVP - Atlantic