How Sweet It Is?

MP David Sweet and MP Monte Solberg recently met to tackle the high poverty rate in Hamilton. This "meeting of the minds" coincided with the recent women's rally last week to which Mr Sweet shared his wisdom: (Read - women have nothing to complain about! They've got it better than ever!!)

Sweet (the most prominent addition to the Conservative Christian Right?) used to be president of Promise Keepers Canada, a Christian men's organization that challenges its members to keep their promises to their wives, families, churches, communities and nation.

"Mr. Sweet commented on a rally just blocks away at the federal goverment building on Bay Street. Women's groups have voiced their displeasure with the Conservative's plan to close 12 of 16 regional Status of Women offices, including the Hamilton office.

Rally organizers from the Women's Abuse Working Group tried to occupy the federal Status of Women office last Friday, which was slated for closure at the end of the day. Activists presented a list of four demands, including a reversal of the decision to close the Hamilton office, the reinstatement of funding for women's equality work, and a demand for a meeting with federal minister Bev Oda or Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Activists are also troubled by the removal of the word "equality" from the ministry's mandate.

Mr. Sweet said funding for Status of Women is actually increasing to all-time highs by $10 million.

"Frankly, this is an historic level of program funding," Mr. Sweet said. "These kinds of (womens') programs will be looked at with all seriousness."

Mr. Sweet said women's groups can expect continued support and access to program funding, despite the loss of the Hamilton office. A single office in the Ottawa capital region now services all Ontario."

LINK: Stoney Creek News
LINK: Blog - David Sweet Watch