A protest march to Queens Park on Jan. 27, 2009.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail
Following is a list of groups that will be actively organizing events around the G8 and G20 Summits in Toronto in June:
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
Who are they: The CLC is the umbrella organization for most of Canada's unions, domestic and international, as well as provincial and territorial federations of labour, and local labour councils. They represent over 3,000,000 workers in every imaginable occupation from coast, to coast, to coast.
Mission statement: Our goals are simple - improve the lives of working people everywhere. We advocate on behalf of all working people in may ways - from organizing campaigns and rallies, to lobbying federal politicians in Parliament, to speaking out in the media and to business on key issues, to representing Canada's labour movement internationally, to developing partnerships within the community and other supportive groups.
Where they will be: The CLC will be at the People's Summit, hosting an open forum on labour issues on June 19. And they will be organizing a march at Queen's Park on June 26, from 1:00 onward.
Website: http://www.canadianlabour.ca
Audio interview: Ken Georgetti, President
Canadian Youth Climate Coalition (CYCC)
Who are they: A group of young Canadians focused on creating a sustainable world free of systemic oppression. They also oppose racism, sexism, transphobia, heterosexism, ableism, and classism.
Mission Statement: To bring awareness to environmental issues and in the process, prevent the idea of "anti-oppression" from becoming "a fashionable topic of intellectual discussion."
Where will they be: The CYCC will be holding workshops at the Peoples Summit from June 18 to 27. Plans for demonstrating during the G20 weekend have yet to be confirmed.
Website: http://www.ourclimate.ca
Interview: Kimia Ghomeshi, G20 and Climate organizer for the CYCC
The Council of Canadians
Who are they: Canada's largest citizens' organization with over 70 volunteer chapters. They organize speaking tours, demonstrations and conferences.
Mission Statement: To promote "progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, energy security, public health care, and other issues of social and economic concern to Canadians.
Where will they be: On Friday June 25th, they will be holding a speakers event called "Shout Out for Global Justice!" featuring Maude Barlow, Pablo Solon, Vandana Shiva, Leo Gerard, Naomi Klein and more.
Website: http://www.canadians.org/
Audio Interview: Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians
Defenders of the Land
Who are they: A collective of Indigenous communities and activists fighting for rights including land struggles.
Mission Statement: To defend Indigenous lands, waters, rights, and lifestyles.
Where will they be: They will be attending the People's Summit from June 18th-21st.
Website: http://www.defendersoftheland.org/
Audio Interview: Arthur Manuel, Indigenous Network on Economies and Trade spokesperson.
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)
Who are they: The self-described "direct-action" organization campaigns for the poor and working class. They also take action against opponents of welfare, public housing and other resources that provide aid to the poverty-stricken people.
Mission Statement: "We believe in the power of resistance."
Where will they be: Friday, June 25 will be their day of action. Their demonstration will start at Allan Gardens and end in the downtown core.
Website: http://www.ocap.ca
Audio Interview: Lesley Wood, OCAP member
Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL)
Who are they: The OFL is comprised of 54 unions in Toronto that include nurses, firefighters, steelworkers, public sector workers. On behalf of 700,000 unionized Ontario employees, they address issues of health and safety, education and human rights.
Mission Statement: The OFL serves as an umbrella organization to represent all of Ontario's trade unions and the issues pertaining to workers in Ontario.
Where will they be:
Website: www.ofl.ca
Audio Interview: Sid Ryan, OFL President.
Oxfam Canada
Who are they: The international development agency works addresses development education, advocacy, public awareness and women's rights issues in Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Mission Statement: To provide support to "long-term development and humanitarian responses with research, advocacy and campaigning against the root causes of poverty and injustice."
Where will they be: Oxfam Canada will be participating in the "legal" march on June 26, 2010.
Website: http://www.oxfam.ca
Audio Interview: Mark Fried, Oxfam Canada Policy Coordinator
Toronto Community Mobilization Network
Who are they: A group of Toronto-based organizers and protestors who are intent on helping minority groups (people of colour, indigenous, women, the poor, the disabled, etc) voice their desires for self-determination.
Mission Statement: To protest against the G8/20 leaders because their decisions will lead to the exploitation of people and the environment.
Where will they be: The network, which is comprised of organizations, unions and individual activists, will be demonstrating on June 23-26.
Website: http://g20.torontomobilize.org/
Audio Interview: Syed Hussan, spokesman for Toronto Community Mobilization Network
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