Unite Against Austerity! Toronto Panel and Discussion

All around the world - from Quebec to Greece to Chile to South Africa - tens of thousands of people are rising up against austerity. 

It’s time for the rest of us to rise up too!

Speakers:
• Crystal Sinclair, Idle No More Toronto
• John Clarke, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)
• Jennie Miller, Vice Chair, Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Greater Toronto Area Council
• Chris Ramsaroop, Justicia for Migrant Workers 
• Moderated by Karen Cocq, Workers' Action Centre, Campaign to Raise the Mimimum Wage/Fight for $15 & Fairness 

Governments and corporate media say there is not enough money and belts must be tightened. But we know there is lots of money – it’s just concentrated in a few hands at the top. 

Cuts to social spending and wages ensue, while fossil fuel companies and other corporations receive subsidies. Unions are attacked, as corporations make record profits. Indigenous nations are denied inherent land rights and resources from their lands are extracted for corporate profit. Environmental regulations are gutted in favour of Big Oil rights. Migrant workers are forced into even more precarious working conditions. Vital public services including education, childcare, housing, women's centers and healthcare are cut, while prisons and the military expand. 

In essence, austerity is sacrificing the common good for corporate profit. To see the many ways we are affected by austerity, check out our website:http://www.uniteagainstausterity.ca/

Almost everyone is affected by austerity policies, but we are typically isolated in our struggles. By building grassroots power and solidarity, we can develop a united front against austerity. Let's examine the austerity agenda and generate unity across Indigenous, feminist, migrant, environmentalist, student, peace, anti-poverty, labour, and diverse community movements.

Join us for a conversation on connecting across struggles and building an anti-austerity movement in Toronto. 

The speaker panel will be followed by a community discussion. 

The event is free. Snacks will be served. 

The space is accessible: There is a wheelchair lift down each of the two small flights of stairs to the hall and there is an accessible washroom.

Childcare will be available. Please let us know about the little ones you are bringing by emailing: UniteAgainstAusterityToronto@gmail.com.

Schedule: 
1:30 – Snacks and mingling 
2:00 – Intro and speaker presentations 
3:15 – Q&A and community discussion
4:30 – Closing 

Sponsored by: SmartChange.ca

Endorsed by: OPIRG York, Council of Canadians (Toronto), Greater Toronto Workers’ Assembly, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, No One Is Illegal – Toronto, Rising Tide Toronto, Jane Finch Action Against Poverty (JFAAP), Centre for Social Justice, Cinema Politica, Workers United Canada Council 

To endorse this talk please email: UniteAgainstAusterityToronto@gmail.com 

Let’s build our power!