On June 4, the one-year anniversary of Doug Ford’s re-election in Ontario, thousands of people across the province came together for the Enough is Enough expo, march and rally.
In the Waterloo region, the demonstration was organized by the Waterloo Regional Labour Council and took place at Kitchener City Hall. The goal of the event was to draw attention to the cost-of-living crisis, the housing crisis and many other social, political and climate crises, and to show solidarity and exchange ideas.
After a little less than two hours, the expo closed up and the participants marched down King Street to rally outside Grand River Hospital where six speakers talked about the situation and what can be done about it.
The Grand River Environmental Network joined in the coalition building rally Enough is Enough! Photo by Trish Holmes.Enough is Enough demo participants had style on lockdown. Photo by Trish Holmes.
Headlines for Saturday June 17th, 2023 from host dan kellar:
1 – Tenant Union pushes back against “high-pressure” landlord. The recently launched ACORN Tenant Union of Waterloo Region is organising a demonstration targeting a landlord whom tenants say is trying to renovict all the residents in two buildings who are paying less than market rates. 2 – The Canadian Disability Act finally heading for final approval in the Senate Disabled folks in Canada may soon receive a bit more support due to the impending approval of Bill C-22.
3 – Indigenous Solidarity Day Unity Jam in Waterloo Park. With the tag line “Love, Lax, and Land Back”, a Solidarity Day Unity Jam and Lacrosse game, hosted by Protect the Tract, will take place in Waterloo park on June 21st.
4 – Forest fires push Waterloo Region’s air quality to the most dangerous levels in a decade. Last week’s combination of the smoke from climate change fueled forest fires and a low pressure system off the east coast, led to Waterloo Region suffering its worst air quality levels in at least a decade
This program is a part of the “Local Journalism Initiative” and is funded by the Community Radio Fund of Canada, Heritage Canada, and the CKMS Newsroom.
On Friday May 26th, a month after the City of Kitchener closed public access to Roos Island in their effort to relocate people who had been living in an encampment on the island, a demonstration was held to remind the public that just because the tents are gone does not mean the housing crisis is over.
The Region of Waterloo currently has less than 250 emergency shelter beds, but there are more than 1,000 unsheltered community members, and this number is growing all the time.
In response, the Unhoused Experience: 24hr Challenge invited people to pitch tents for 24hours in the park, and despite a heavy presence from by-law and security, around 50 people participated in workshops and to listened to advocates and people who have experience being unhoused tell their stories.
We talked to organizers and participants about the housing and homelessness crisis and their 24 hour event.
This program is a part of the “Local Journalism Initiative” and is funded by the Community Radio Fund of Canada, Heritage Canada, and the CKMS Newsroom.
Adapting, evolving, and bringing attention to the importance of rebuilding, Member of Provincial Parliament Laura Mae Lindo, representing Kitchener Centre as a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party, spoke to key moments in 2020.
She speaks to the year’s accomplishments for her office, including forwarding Bill 196, Seniors’ Advocate Act, 2020, which would move to establish a seniors’ advocate as an independent, non-partisan officer of the Ontario legislature, “fueled by the amazing work of frontline healthcare workers… and on a personal note… how important it is to me to care for our elders, who brought us everything, are holders of such wisdom”.
Laura Mae is also proud of the End Police Violence policy paper, the importance of which was echoed by the marching of over 20 thousand community members in support for the movement for Black lives. Laura Mae notes the challenges with navigating the pandemic as a new politician, reflecting on key turning points for Kitchener-Centre, including how the pandemic has allowed for emergent conversations around equity, particularly anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism.
Her message to constituents includes reflecting on how we may have grown through this year, and to build gratefulness amongst the chaos.
From the Office of Laura Mae Lindo, MPP Kitchener Centre:
“Laura Mae Lindo, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre, is a respected activist and educator who holds both a Masters and PhD in Education. Her commitment to building inclusive communities both within and outside of educational environments is grounded in her knowledge of how to put anti-oppression theories into practice.
Laura Mae is a knowledgeable advocate for the rights of women and girls, a respected ally to marginalized community members, and, most importantly, a courageous public speaker on issues often left unaddressed in the mainstream. Laura Mae is the Official Opposition Critic for Anti-Racism, and Citizenship and Immigration.
The Leader of the Official Opposition appointed her as Chair of Official Opposition’s first Black Caucus, to collaborate with Black communities and allies to address systemic anti-Black racism in Ontario.”
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This program is a part of the “Local Journalism Initiative” grant program and is funded by the Community Radio Fund of Canada, the Government of Canada, and the CKMS Newsroom.
Check out the archived versions of this program and other episodes on radiowaterloo.ca/news., and other stories commissioned under the Local Journalism Initiative at canada-info.ca.
You can follow us on twitter @RadioWaterloo. If you want to get in touch with comments, or ideas about stories to cover, email us at news@radiowaterloo.ca.
Music for this episode was courtesy of Dylan Prowse.
Mary Neil is a singer, songwriter, community musician with a MA in Community Music, and founder of KW Junk Music
Mary makes music accessible to everyone, and encourages people to think about their sustainable practice by making instruments out of material diverted from landfills and recycling plants. Mary challenges people to wonder, “why do we have so much junk to make instruments out of?” and how we can make a difference in our lives toward a more sustainable future. As the 2019 City of Kitchener artist in residence, Mary’s residency project involves engaging with participants creating music that reflects the values and diversity of communities across the City of Kitchener. Mary is also working on an album of songs inspired by issues faced by the rapid growth in our community, communicating narratives of people with lived experience. Joining her perform live on air in studio was Jeff Cowell and Len McCarthy
Talking about his love for travelling, seeing and exploring new places is Zdravko Gunjevic, aka ‘Zee’. Zee’s love to explore new places has led him to travel across Canada, around the US, Caribbean, Europe, down to Australia and China. North, South, East and West. He likes to see it on a budget, experience cities and cultures like a local. Zee talked about how he chooses to make it all happen and the tricks and tips of travelling. He also suggested a few amazing websites that offer some great deals, listen to find out.
For Peggy Dietrich, the idea for “The Women in the Moon” came suddenly. What she quickly scribbled has now turned into a children’s book that explores and celebrates the ties that bind women
While the book is the brainchild of Dietrich, it was a family affair. Her granddaughter, Ali, did the illustration for the book. The idea of the moon connecting people is inspired by her relationship with her grandchildren. While it is a children’s book, Dietrich said it speaks to women of all ages as well. We, as women, can join together to form a healing community throughout the globe. We just have to look up at the moon and believe in ourselves, says Peggy Dietrich who wrote The Women in the Moon
Kira Burt, has worked at the library for 3 years as a Children’s Programmer. She has worked with kids of all ages from preschool to teens for many years and continues to enjoy it. An outdoor person, she has always enjoyed cycling and being outside and was one of the first to volunteer to be a rider for the Book Pedaler. The Book Pedaler is all about getting out into the community and meeting people where they are. We also want to be an active and engaged part of the community, says Kira Burt
This Thursday, June 6th marks the kick off to the 5th annual Ever After Music Festival in Kitchener, Ontario! And the first year a pre-party is added to the festival extending it to 4 days total.
This year the festival features some of the best in bass music and headliners from all around the world. Specifically the pre-party featuring sets from local talent and international DJ’s such as Zia, Moody Good and headliner Yellow Claw, an elite world wide known DJ teamed with a production recording duo originating out of Amsterdam, Netherlands in 2010!
Since 2010, this trio (downsized to a duo in 2016) has put out multiple hit singles, multiple hit albums, many that have hit #1 charts and has rocked some of the biggest main stages of music festivals around the world such as Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Tomorrowland in Boom, Belgium, Electronic Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, Coachella in California and New Year’s in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Needless to say we are thrilled to have them come to Kitchener, Ontario’s Ever After Festival this coming week; and you should be too!!
And YES I am excited to get confirmation to get a quick word in and interview with the the men of Yellow Claw themselves, Jim and Nils, before they take the stage at Bingeman’s!
Tickets to this very exciting show and whole 3 day festival are still available at: Get Tickets!
For more info. about the artist Zia visit Ever After’s website at: Zia
Zia
P.S. Visit our Instagram and Facebook pages to enter a contest on NOW for your chance to win a pair of free tickets to this exciting show on Thursday, June 6th!!!
NEW CKMS VIDEO ON YOUTUBE! CKMS Live On-site at the Ever After Music Festival 2018!
Check out our brand NEW upload on the CKMS Youtube Page!
CKMS-FM is Live On-site with Cameron Matthews and Joel Marshall at Ever After Music Festival 2018!
Thinking of buying your ticket for this year’s festival? See what the music festival is all about first in the Youtube video link below. CKMS Live at Ever After Music Festival
Don’t be shy to like and subscribe to the CKMS Youtube page while you are there!
Ever After Music Fest!!! Kitchener’s largest electronic and bass music festival! Be sure not to miss it this year on June 6, 7, 8, and 9th 2019 !!!
Big Up Joga Basics for taking the footage. Ending credit track in the video is also produced by Joga Basics as well off his latest album “Poolside”. Support local! Check out Joga on Soundcloud.com Video Credits
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