June 10th March to oppose the Conservative Party National Convention- OCAP goes to Ottawa...

This past Friday June 10th, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed the Conservative Party of Canada’s (CPC) National Convention in downtown Ottawa. Taking place during the 3 day CPC National Convention at the Ottawa Convention Centre, Harper’s address to the gathered Conservative Party members was his first major address after winning a majority government in the last election.

June 10th was just the first day of action in what we can be sure will be four years spent in the streets. OCAP went to Ottawa to join allies of all & varied stripes to let the Harper regime know that his austerity program & racist, anti-immigrant policies will be met with growing opposition during his term in office.

Listen below to an excerpt speech from OCAP organizer Liisa Schofield
at the entrance to the convention centre in Ottawa...

Thanks to Bill Clennett for video taping!

In December, OCAP made a call-out for video submissions around Rob Ford's planned austerity agenda for the City of Toronto. Response was not exactly overwhelming, but we did receive several great videos, which are posted here for your viewing convenience. We'll be contacting submitters in the next little while to pass along some neat OCAP prizes. Many thanks to everyone who submitted content and please continue to support OCAP's work with your creative efforts!

Public Testimony From April 9th, 2010

On March 25th the Ontario Provincial Government cut the vital 'Special Diet' program for people on Welfare and Disability. The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) held a public meeting on April 9th to talk about the impact that this cut will have on people's lives, and to organize towards a raise in Welfare and Disability rates in Ontario.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Video: Watch OCAP crashing Liberal heritage dinner OCAP Organizes to Raise Welfare/Disability Rates.

On Thursday, February 25th, 2010, diners at a lavish Ontario Party Liberal fundraising event, which cost attendees $950 per plate and $9,500 a table, did not finish their meals in comfort.

Members of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) organized to crash the fundraiser, at which Premier Dalton McGuinty was scheduled to speak, in an act of outrage at the fact that rich Liberal Party supporters could spend more on a meal than people on welfare and disability have to live on for a month. While the Liberals feast, literally thousands of people in this city go without food or shelter.

At about 7:00 p.m. at the Metro Convention Centre, 50 low income people
and OCAP supporters managed to disrupt the fine dining and cocktails, walking past police and security and proceeding right to the front of the banquet hall. Just as hundreds of dinner attendees gathered in the reception area sipping on champagne, OCAP occupied the centre area chanting Raise the Rates and We are hungry, we’re angry, we won’t go away!. The group was loud, energetic and determined despite physical attacks by Toronto Police and Liberal Party members.

For the Youtube video, click here

For photos, click here