Our council remains quite busy since we last met. We have received the rejection of our workfare appeal from the Information Privacy Commissioner. Disappointing as it is this will be a great opportunity to work with the Kingston Action Network and the Low Income Needs group in terms of focusing our community against the Harris government's regressive programs.

November 24th witnessed a very successful lobby against the Federal Liberals in terms of a total lack response regarding Child Poverty. The events included lobbying Peter Milliken, recognizing the fourth anniversary of the Silent Vigil at City hall, a rally in Confederation Basin. The following day Church bells rang, fire stations sounded their sirens. The Kingston report on Poverty was unveiled and a face was clearly given to the underprivileged in our area. This is the finest piece of work we have seen in Kingston in a very long time. The council must thank the authors Natalie Mehra, Janet Pearse and Glenn Stairs for an excellent job.

The Ontario Federation of Labour convention was held in Toronto, Gary Parent, Evelina Pan and I were re-elected vice-presidents representing Labour Councils. We are grateful to Peter Boyle who clearly helped in our election campaign. Wayne Samuelson was re-elected President of the OFL beating Willie Lambert by 94 votes.

Labor's Voice in the Community taped another two shows today. The first one featured Lynn Simmons and Michelle Lupa from the Ontario Health Coalition explaining the further Health Care negative changes being proposed for the province by the Harris government. The second show's guest Debora DeAngelis who is a vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Labour representing Youth informed viewers of the activities which have and are continuing to involve young workers in terms of connecting young people to the Labour Movement. We are grateful to all three for traveling to Kingston at such a busy time of the year and hope they can join us at tonight's meeting.

The Kingston Health Coalition has been re-established and has met twice since our last council meeting. The Co-Chairs are Ross Sutherland -Labour and Natalie Mehra - Community with Nancy York and Carol Al-Koura being the other executive members. A letter has been sent out to the affiliates requesting donations to offset the cost of campaign materials and meeting spaces. Please ask your Union to consider a small donation for this worthwhile cause.

The Labour Review magazine has been proofread and sent off to the printers. We should receive the proceeds to our council, the United Way donation and the books in time for our next meeting.

I would like to thank our executive and delegates for all their hard work in the past year and remind the delegates that elections will be held at next month's meeting.

In closing, please have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

As always,
In solidarity,

Charlie Stock
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