BC FORUM News

BC FORUM President Gerry Edwards urges members to take the time to vote on Election Day - Monday, May 2

April 27, 2011

Dear BC FORUM member,

I am writing to remind you that Election Day is Monday, May 2 – and to strongly urge you to take the time to vote. If we stick together, we can make a real difference in many B.C. ridings.

Personally, I feel we have been betrayed by the Harper government. There was consensus among the provinces – and tremendous public support – for improving the Canada Pension Plan and the Guaranteed Income Supplement so workers can retire with a measure of financial security. The Conservatives sent it off the rails. Instead of helping retired workers, they brought in another plan to benefit Canada’s big banks, who already charge the highest rates in the world for managing retirement savings.

Making sure our money works for us – not the big banks and oil companies – is just one of the big issues we face.

The steady erosion of public health care affects all of us as we get older. It’s equally important for our children and grandchildren. It’s disturbing that the Harper government has done so little to protect Medicare. That’s a big part of why we have the lowest level of care for seniors, and the highest rates for long term care, right here in B.C.

I believe we need to stand up for ourselves and send Mr. Harper a message. If recent polls are correct, people right across Canada are coming to the same conclusion: the way to defeat Mr. Harper’s anti-worker agenda is to vote for Jack Layton and the NDP. That’s especially true here in B.C. where New Democrats have traditionally been the strongest challengers to the Conservatives.

I urge you to join with me in voting for improved pensions, more financial security for retired workers, and a strong public health care system for our families.

In solidarity,

Gerry Edwards
President, BC FORUM

PS I have never before seen such momentum at the federal level. For the first time in many elections, we have the opportunity to vote for real change. When working people stick together, we have much more power than we imagine. See you at the polls on May 2!