On October 15, 2010, I travelled to Ottawa, Ontario.
In the evening I attended a fund raising event at the beautiful Dominion-Chalmers United Church hosted by Canada Without Poverty- Poverty and Punchlines. Steve Patterson, host, Don Kelly and Mary Walsh - great Canadian comedic talent- raised the laughter high into the beautiful dome roof.
Ed Broadbent graced the stage and talked about the need for a National Housing program. But the icing on the cake was the Poor No More Documentary clip shown by Mary Walsh. We all needed tissue to wipe away the tears- not from laughter this time. The 2010 Poor No More Documentary looks at Canada, Ireland and Sweden's poverty and the working poor.
Most of what was in this film did not surprise me as I sat on the board of Canada Without Poverty for 6 years (NAPO when I was on the Board). I had the privilege of going to the United Nations in Geneva to speak, along with many Non-Government Organizations, to the United Nations Committee on Economic Social & Cultural Rights (2006) hearings,
What did shock me was the story on the LCBO- Liquor Control Board of Ontario- owned by the Ontario Government. SHOCKING! The salaries and bonuses are absolutely ridiculous! Our tax dollars being given to the few at the top while the workers are so poorly paid.
But, do you as the average Canadian, the average world traveller...are you aware of the GREAT RACE TO THE BOTTOM? The race for all the countries on our planet to offer their countries up on a silver platter to CORPORATIONS? How? What? Yes, some countries are racing as fast as they can to bring the big money, wealth to their countries by lowering the Corporate taxes. Big Corporations buying our countries via our politicians! The consequences of the BIG RACE- poverty rates in Canada are at an all time high! Check out the Fact Sheet on the Poor No More Documentary website to find out more about poverty in Canada.
Corporate tax rate for 2010 in Ireland- 12.5%
Corporate tax rate for 2010 in Canada- 18%- down from 19% in 2009! Corporate tax rate for 2010 in Sweden- 26.3%
Now, these are companies recording BILLIONS of dollars in profit.
Personal marginal tax on $55,000 in Canada is 31.15% so the government collects approx $10,734 from you if you live in Ontario.
I took a quick look at Bell Canada. You need to be an accountant to understand their financial statements, but it appears to me that they made almost $16 billion dollars in 2009 and did not pay a cent in taxes! And they paid out dividends!
Their tax bill, if they had paid the 31.15% in taxes would be $310,500 million dollars! Can you just Imagine??? I wonder how many of their employees made over $200,000 a year and how many make less than $50,000.
Even Warren Buffet- a multi billionaire says the rich are taxed too little.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLD0p1QpcI8
It is TIME to wake up and take notice ! Take ACTION! Do you really accept this?
The world is a changing place. These old systems, old way of doing things- they no longer work. They served their purpose...it is time ... get educated...this is very personal- it is about you, me and everyone else on this planet! How can you make a change? Ask questions, talk, VOTE!
Love and all good things!
The Peaceful Matriarch
I opened “Woman Unlimited” with a story about my father’s mother. With Mother’s Day coming up one can’t help but think of all the strong matriarchal women who have influenced our lives.
My Grandma Slade is a mystery to me. I have, like, short film clips of memory about her. My Grandmother was adopted when she was a young girl. Her siblings were sent to different homes. She did not find her siblings until later in life. I do not believe she ever met her real mother. The Depression created such hardship for families.
I remember being in her old house as a young girl. In the back yard was a very cool garage with hidden panels. I remember the smell- that musty, wonderful smell that only old garages and four square homes can have.She drove a VW bug- I know where I got my bug for VW from!
I am 5 years old, sitting on her lap, crying my heart out because I was teased at school about looking like an (native) Indian. She hugged me and told me to tell them my grandmother was an Indian princess. I was still telling people about her royalty in College! They believed me of course. I like to think my dark looks came from her.
I have memories of going to cut her grass in Ashton, Ontario. I would cut the grass with a hand mower. After I was finished, she would walk me down to the Ashton General store (which is still there today) to get a chocolate bar. It was sticky hot and the flies dived bombed us but I did not care- I was with my grandma and I was going to have chocolate!
I loved her house because it was so cool! Dirt for a basement; “diner” booth in the kitchen…. We once watched lightning lick between the kitchen faucet and the stove during one nasty storm! My brother and I would sit in the booth while my parents sat in the dining room. I would move the peas off my plate to my brother’s plate when no one was looking. I watched with fascination as my youngest aunt would iron her long, very purple hair in the kitchen. It was the 60’s after all.
My grandparents got divorced. I have no memory of this other than it just seemed like one Christmas – my cousins and I all got the same dresses- grandpa and grandma being there together- laughing and making it all a wonderful time. Then somehow, they were not together anymore. My grandpa moved to the USA. He was casualty of the defunct Arrow project. My grandma was alone again.
I knew my grandma was very sad. As a child I could feel her sadness. She died when I was 10- the same day as my Nana Clark, 5 years apart. Both women had been adopted. Goosebumps-right, you have goosebumps- I do!
As a mother, about to turn 50, I think of how hard her life must have been. I have tried to find out more about her but no one can tell me. I think it is very sad that we can not have more of who she was in our lives. Happy Mother’s day Grandma Slade! Let your children know who you are.
Love and All Good Things,
The Peaceful Matriarch
Our movie nights have changed over the past month. I think that it has a lot to do with the kids getting older. We still sit around the "round table" in our living room, eat pizza while watching a movie. It is what we are watching that has changed.
Lately, the kids have wanted to get tv series to watch. We go to the library once a week and they pick DVD's from the various series they enjoy- Bones, Holmes on Homes and the Dog Whisperer. We do not get cable tv or satellite, so the Dog Whisperer is new to me. Yes, I have heard of him, but never watched a show. I have enjoyed these shows so much I have actually kept watching the dvd after my children have gone to bed!
Of course, I have already been told that due to Cesar's shows, my kids are more than capable of looking after THEIR dog...hint hint...
Absolutely intriguing! Being an energy worker myself (Reiki), it is wonderful to see Cesar Millan talk about the importance of not only the dog owner’s energy, but the dog’s energy as well. It is important that our own energy radiates around us and effects everyone. If we exude positive, confident, assertive energy others will act differently around us.
It is great for us to sit down as a family to watch such entertaining shows that also provide life long learning for my children. And there is no violence! Cesar is clearing teaching self esteem, assertiveness, calmness and living in the NOW- for humans.
It has been a long while since I have posted. March was a busy and challenging month on many fronts. I cannot wait to get back to my daily posts. I look forward to providing interesting content as well as profiles of Unlimited Woman.
Love and All Good things…as you go through your day…As Cesar says…be a pack leader!
The Peaceful Matriarch
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