On April 18th, members of the Spot Collective, AAP, and student supporters occupied the office of the Minister of Community and Social Services, MPP of Kitchener Centre John Milloy, as part of the Week Of Austerity and in solidarity with CFS and Quebec students opposing tuition hikes. In a climate of austerity, tuition has been increased by 75%, and the 30% “rebate” is a limited and insufficient response. These hikes and the cuts to community start-up funds are continuing an attack on students, workers, and poor people. During the occupation, Kitchener residents spoke to the lived effects of these policies. Occupiers stayed in the office until closing and emphasised the gross inadequacy of the government’s so-called poverty reduction efforts.
We are calling on people to jam the phones at John Milloy’s office tomorrow and Friday (519-579-5460) to say we will not stand for a budget that continues this assault on our communities.
