BC FORUM News - From The Advocate Summer 2015

Stopping Harper is not enough – we must build a better Canada

We can talk about stopping Harper, but we must also talk about what is happening in Canada and what we want to build, Aaron Ekman told delegates to BC FORUM’s annual general meeting.

“Income inequality has reached such a rate of disparity we haven’t seen since 1929,” said the newly elected Secretary - Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour.

“The top income earners, less than one percent, control as much wealth as 90 percent of the population. What’s so scary about it is that this is what shapes the foundations of our economy,” said Ekman.

“When you’ve got that much wealth, and there’s only so many dollars in the system, concentrated in so few hands, then those who are supposed to drive the economy by shopping locally and ensuring small businesses are supported and the jobs are created haven’t got the money to do so,” he said.

Ekman said the Conservative and Liberal parties don’t talk about this important issue.

“We talk about it. We understand it. And we have to do something to change it.

“It’s a lot more than just stopping Harper. It requires a government that’s going to build something,” he said.

Ekman said that a very small segment of society, the segment that has all the money, isn’t paying a fair share towards running the system on which we all rely.

“Until we ensure that the taxation system in this country, and provincially as well, is fair and progressive regardless of income level we’re never going to be able to fix this system. These folks are going to run away with everything and that’s what’s happening.”

He told the audience that your generation understands that well, but people in my generation generally do not.

“That’s why I think it’s so important that we work together, and why I rely on you so much in terms of letting me know where the cliffs are and also reminding me how we got here in the first place,” said Ekman.

“We have to turn this stuff around and we can’t just wait for the next election to do it. We have to ensure that our voices are raised, and these issues are raised, in a strong way between elections.

“We have to continue to build the movement.... That’s what it takes to turn this stuff around. We’re only ever going to be able to do it together,” he said.

“I’m so much looking forward to working with all of you and moving forward,” concluded Ekman.