Welfare and Human Rights

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: John Ames Birch <amesbirch403@gmail.com> Date: Thu., Aug. 4, 2022, 3:02 p.m. Subject: Welfare and Human Rights To: <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>, <chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca>, <dujarric@un.org>, <Fadi.El-Abdallah@icc-cpi.int>, <administration@ccla.org>, <abra.symco@gov.ab.ca>, <ABSGreaterChina@eagle.org>, CSS AB Works IS <abworksIS@gov.ab.ca>, <aimember@aiusa.org>, aclupreferences <aclupreferences@aclu.org>, Arlene Dong <Arlene.Dong@gov.ab.ca>, <cameron.barr@washpost.com>, <sally.buzbee@washpost.com>, <Bernadette.Jordan@parl.gc.ca>, Ben Stephens <ben@francetoday.com>, Jacinthe Beaulieu <jacinthe.beaulieu@telus.com>, <ContactUsEn@pmo.gov.il>, <community@texastribune.org>, Haley Christensen <haley@sabis.ab.ca>, Garneau, Marc - Député <marc.garneau@parl.gc.ca>, David Hulen <dhulen@adn.com>, <efren.zamudio@oregon.gov>, <elizabeth.may.c1a@parl.gc.ca>, <ecampaign@gop.com>, <e.info@nwthumanrights.ca>, <externalrelations@csis.org>, <emily.zalenski@warnerbros.com>, Tom Engel <tomengel@engellaw.ca>, <fkalmbach@theadvocate.com>, Forsætisráðuneytið <for@for.is>, Fisher, Gordon <gfisher@postmedia.com>, <FEMA-News-Desk@fema.dhs.gov>, <govpress@la.gov>, <GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com>, <gmcdonald@alabamanews.net>, Guy Hibbert <guy@francetoday.com>, <hotline@ccteht.ca>, <hcenquiries@parliament.uk>, HaveYourSay <haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk>, Kathryn Heppell <Kathryn.Heppell@gov.ab.ca>, <liaisonofficeny@icc-cpi.int>, <lawsociety@lso.ca>, <Letters@calgaryherald.com>, <lethbridge@globalnews.ca>, Lisa Lopez <Lisa.Lopez@gov.ab.ca>, <murbina@fbi.gov>, AFF AFF:EX Minister <AFF.Minister@gov.bc.ca>, <media.sf@fbi.gov>, EDC Minister <education.minister@gov.ab.ca>, mediainquiries <mediainquiries@who.int>, <News@hawaiinewsnow.com>, <newsdesk@krqe.com>, <new.scotland.yard@met.police.uk>, <news@abccolumbia.com>, NCTE <ncte@transequality.org>, <news@arkansasonline.com>, NWAC Reception <reception@nwac.ca>, Naacp <washingtonbureau@naacpnet.org>, NYT Corrections <corrections@nytimes.com>, News@KelownaNow.com <News@kelownanow.com>, <osd.pentagon.pa.mbx.ce-public-inquiries@mail.mil>, <osd.pa.dutyofficer@mail.mil>, <otp.informationdesk@icc-cpi.int>, Kate Brown For Oregon Information <info@katebrownfororegon.com>, <Oprah@oprah.com>, <office@freedomlaw.ca>, Liberal Party of Canada <assistance@liberal.ca>, <pitches@texastribune.org>, <premier@ontario.ca>, <premier@novascotia.ca>, <premier@gov.yk.ca>, <premier@gov.nt.ca>, <premier@gov.ab.ca>, <premier@gov.sk.ca>, <premier@gov.bc.ca>, <premier@gov.nl.ca>, <PepsiCoDMKSG@pepsico.com>, <pelita.brunei@information.gov.bn>, <osd.pentagonpressbadges@mail.mil>, <PARIS-MEDIA@international.gc.ca>, <patrick.riley@nc.gov>, <paul.hamnett@gov.ab.ca>, <partners@hrc.org>, <pat@awbiz.asia>, <Pablo.Rodriguez@parl.gc.ca>, <paoquery@cdc.gov>, <press@usda.gov>, <press@bethsoft.com>, <pro.ukk@kln.gov.my>, <press@bungie.com>, <Colleen.Quinn@mass.gov>, Qualtrough, Carla - M.P. <Carla.Qualtrough@parl.gc.ca>, <report@aiusa.org>, <Roshunda.Ward@la.gov>, Rota, Anthony - Riding 1B <Anthony.Rota.C1B@parl.gc.ca>, <santuzza.wolff@gov.ab.ca>, Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@hhs.gov>, Shawn Sidhu <shawn@ngsidhu.com>, Sky.Today <Sky.Today@sky.uk>, Sylvia Jones <sylvia.jones@pc.ola.org>, <tracy.mcphee@gov.yk.ca>, <tonews@cbc.ca>, tips@GlobalTVBC.com <Tips@globaltvbc.com>, <usaf.il.183-fw.list.public-affairs@mail.mil>, <us@ocasiocortez.com>, <contact.us@adcci.gov.ae>, <Vickie.Wonder@nngco.com>, <ViewerContactEdmonton@globalnews.ca>, <vetscanada@gmail.com>, <Vincent.A.Steves@abc.com>, <ViewerContactCalgary@globalnews.ca>, <ViewerContactToronto@globalnews.ca>, <curt.j.villarosa@abc.com>, <WPmedia@hkstrategies.ca>, <we.care@hopemission.com>, <WeekendNews@globaltv.com>, <webbgis@barbados.gov.bb>, <weekend@cbsnews.com>, <YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk>, Duclos, Jean-Yves - Député <jean-yves.duclos@parl.gc.ca>, <zane@caj.ca>, <zkurz@osc.gov>, <zj_uk@mfa.gov.cn> Cc: <media@amnesty.ca>, <cducroquet@amnistie.ca>, <hrc.info@sfgov.org>, <communications@chrc-ccdp.gc.ca>, <library@chrc-ccdp.ca>, <info.com@chrc-ccdp.gc.ca>, <info@naacpstlouiscounty.org>, <anderson.cooper@turner.com>, <arbyspublicrelations@inspirebrands.ca>, <asketc@microsoft.com>, <asis@asisonline.org>, <AskDOJ@usdoj.gov>, <apennington@adn.com>, <alyssa.z.apple.-nd@abc.com>, <bryan.flynn@foreignpolicy.com>, <amber.brockman@abc.com>, <Justin.Brattinga@gov.ab.ca>, <Blake.Bryant@warnerbros.com>, <barbara.warren@disney.com>, <callum.baird@thenational.scot>, <CE-ltb@ontario.ca>, <CAPrivacy@wal-mart.com>, <carrie.williams@dcentertainment.com>, <carly.ferguson@blackpress.ca>, <ctvottawa@ctv.ca>, <DTMB-micontractconnect@michigan.gov>, <drun@un.int>, <drtheresa.tam@canada.ca>, <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk>, <dialdalfred@klfy.com>, <msnbc.digital.editors@nbcuni.com>, <Erin.OToole@parl.gc.ca>, <eservicesupport@postmedia.com>, <media.europe@nike.com> Hey everyone, I am writing to you to discuss the welfare system in Alberta Canada. Currently the system pays $733 if you can work and $866 if there are barriers to employment. Given that rent is on average 600-700 it barely covers rent. I was on welfare and am now homeless after being targeted by people for my political voice. Currently, welfare cancels support when your in a shelter as they assume that everything is taken care of. However, given the pandemic and drug epidemic there are more people homeless than they envisioned. This means many things are not donated or go quickly. As such this system is overtaxed and underfunded. I have begun arguments about constitutional rights and that food security and housing is guaranteed by the charter under section 7, 12 and 15 and will be persuing an amendment to have housing status added as a protected ground. However, the immediate needs stand as urgent. We are in the midst of a pandemic and things like hand sanitizer and masks are basic needs. Furthermore, due to climate change sunscreen, covers and Aloe Vera are also needs. These are needed for survival and a lack of these endangers an already at risk population. The government cutting off services raises liability issues. It would raise issues criminally and civilly if someone dies after being refused services. It would be considered a breach of trust and possibly criminal negligence causing death. Therefore, this is not only in violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, it also violates sections of the criminal code. Furthermore, the UN also has provisions in relation to rights and dignities. This also infringes therefore on international law and must be rectified immediately. Furthermore, we need to take an in depth look at our homeless situation and funding. Given how expensive it has become we need to ensure the budget reflects our new societal reality. Finally, the staff who work here come in day and day out diligently working to help. They deal with many stressors and anger as well as a mountain of work. We need to ensure that they are paid appropriately to ensure they do not need the service they help provide. As I've said prior, homelessness is indicative of a society in need of repair. We need to catch all those that fall and help them to their feet. We are people like you, with hopes and dreams and we will no longer be swept under the rug like an eyesore. We deserve dignity and compassion and we ask humbly to be treated like mother's, father's, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters and friends. Do not forget us in the chaos and turmoil of our society. Many of us became homeless during the pandemic and need hero's. Please be hero's for the homeless and help if you can. To the government I humbly ask that you prioritize conscious over coin and increase funding for social services and reinstate welfare for those in the shelters before we become casualties of budgets. "Rights are just words without actions to defend them" John Ames Birch @johneames2