June 7: Human Rights Event in Hamilton

This event is hosted by the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction, Hamilton Community Legal Clinic and the McMaster Poverty Initiative. It features Bruce Porter, an international human right expert who is Director of the Social Rights Advocacy Centre. Bruce will speak on Claiming and Enforcing the Right to an Adequate Standard of Living.

Tom Cooper, Director, Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction, co-hosting the event, writes: In recent years – and particularly over the last several months it has become increasingly obvious that our governments are not fulfilling their obligations to ensure that residents of Canada and in Ontario are provided with resources to ensure an adequate standard of living. In Hamilton more than 18,000 people (including 8,500 children) use food banks monthly; 59,000 of our neighbours are in receipt of inadequate levels of social assistance that keep them living in deep poverty; recent proposals to change employment insurance may mean unemployed workers will be forced to take jobs that are unsuitable or perhaps dangerous.

Despite Canada being a signatory to United Nations covenants on social, economic and cultural rights, our Federal and Provincial governments are failing to meet the basic needs of our most vulnerable citizens. In Hamilton, we have begun to ask if there is recourse to ensure our governments meet their obligations. How can we claim and enforce the Right to an Adequate Standard of Living?

Date Thursday, June 7, 2012

Time 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Place Hamilton District School Board, Main Floor auditorium, 100 Main Street West, Hamilton

Contact Please RSVP to Jennifer Chivers by Friday, June 1

Email hrpr@hcf.on.ca