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by Maureen McNameeFight for student jobs short on time
The campaign to get Calgary West MP Rob Anders to give the nod to more than 80 summer jobs for students continues this week, and organizers say time is crucial.
Anders, a Canadian Alliance MP, refused to approve 83 out of about 200 Summer Career Placement program grants recommended by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). The funding subsidizes summer jobs for students, helping organizations and businesses cover the cost of hiring summer staff while providing work experience opportunities.
U of C campus radio station CJSW is one of the organizations affected by the decision, and station manager Jaime Frederick is leading the campaign. He says volunteers have been busy collecting signatures from Calgary West on a petition in support of the program – so far, they’re about halfway to reaching the 1,000 residents Anders said it would take to make him reconsider.
However, Frederick may not wait until they have all 1,000 names – he is considering forwarding the petitions to HRDC Minister Jane Stewart, who has the authority to override Anders and approve the grants herself.
He explains that the campaign has received a lot of support, but the petitions are being circulated by volunteers and it takes a lot of time. "It’s tough slogging out on the streets."
Meanwhile, students and employers are left in limbo – most of the job positions would have been filled by now if the grants had been approved.
He is asking anyone who supports the SCP program and who is a resident of Calgary West to sign a petition, available at CJSW on campus, Hot Wax in Kensington, Casablanca Video and Karma in Marda Loop, and Melodiya on 17th Avenue S.W. People can also e-mail Stewart at stewart.j@parl.gc.ca.
"I think we’re just going to have to hope for the best," Frederick says.
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