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Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
March 12, 2004
BC Coalition of Women's Centres Take Over
Office at Legislature and Have Been Arrested
BC - Five representatives from the BC Coalition of Women’s Centres are
refusing to leave an office at the BC Legislature this morning after a
meeting with Ida Chong, Minister of State for Women’s and Senior’s
Services. All of the representatives have been arrested.
The Coalition went into the meeting with two requests: a commitment
from Ida Chong to re-open the continuing agreement between the
Government and the 37 Centres across the province with the intention to
continue to fund crisis intervention, referral and emergency response
services and to arrange an emergency meeting with Finance Minister,
Gary Collins on this same issue. The Coalition has conceded the
advocacy and political action services they provide that have been seen
as so problematic for this Government.
The Government is cutting 100% of core operating funding to all Centres
by March 31st, 2004, which is resulting in the closures of Centres
across BC.
The members of the Coalition refuse to willingly leave the Legislature
until Ida Chong comes back to the table to have an open and honest
discussion about the realities for women in BC. The Coalition is fed up
with the BC Liberal rhetoric on women’s services; the discussions to
date have amounted to lip service and lies.
The BC Liberals have subjected women to more than our share of
devastating legislation and cuts. They continue to put women at risk of
starvation, harassment, violence, homelessness, addiction,
unemployment, lose of their children, and isolation, with no legal aid
and nowhere to turn.
Today, the BC Coalition of Women’s Centres is saying enough is enough.
Government rhetoric is no longer an acceptable response to the women of
BC.
The Coalition has also asked Ida Chong to arrange a meeting with
Finance Minister Gary Collins before the end of March 2004. Excuses
such as being too busy or otherwise unavailable are not acceptable to
the Coalition.
The situation for women and Women’s Centres is an absolute crisis and
the BC Liberals must now treat it as such.
Sent Later the Same Day:
For Immediate Release
Media Advisory of PRESS CONFERENCE
March 12, 2004
PRESS CONFERENCE
Women Reps Arrested at the Legislature Today
BC - Five representatives from the BC Coalition of Women's Centres
refused to leave an office at the BC Legislature this morning after a
meeting with Ida Chong, Minister of State for Women's and Senior's
Services. All of the representatives were arrested this morning and
were later released. They will be holding a press conference at 1 pm
today.
Press Conference
WHEN: March 12, 2004 1 pm
WHERE: Victoria Police Headquarters, 850 Caledonia St., Victoria
Speakers: Representatives of Women's Centres and supporters
The Coalition went into the meeting with two requests: a commitment
from Ida Chong to re-open the continuing agreement between the
Government and the 37 Centres across the province with the intention to
continue to fund crisis intervention, referral and emergency response
services and to arrange an emergency meeting with Finance Minister,
Gary Collins on this same issue. The Coalition has conceded the
advocacy and political action services they provide that have been seen
as so problematic for this Government.
The Government is cutting 100% of core operating funding to all Centres
by March 31st, 2004, which is resulting in the closures of Centres
across BC.
The BC Liberals have subjected women to more than our share of
devastating legislation and cuts. They continue to put women at risk of
starvation, harassment, violence, homelessness, addiction,
unemployment, lose of their children, and isolation, with no legal aid
and nowhere to turn.
Today, the BC Coalition of Women's Centres is saying enough is enough.
Government rhetoric is no longer an acceptable response to the women of
BC.
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