| The Calgary Coalition Against War and Occupation (CCAWO) has joined a nationwide protest against Quebec based SNC Lavalin.
Activist groups across the country are protesting the fact that a SNC Lavalin subsidiary called SNC Technologies is supplying ammunition to the U.S. army. The activist groups say the ammunition is being used in the Iraq war, which they oppose.
Paul Farquhar, a member of CCAWO, says his group has been putting up posters around Calgary and handing out leaflets to SNC Lavalin employees at the company’s Calgary office.
"They’re making bullets and profiting off it, and that’s profiting from war," says Farquhar. "If you’re an arms dealer you should be looking into where your bullets go."
Gillian MacCormack, the vice president of public relations with SNC Lavalin says there have been protests against the company in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and Calgary in recent months.
"Everyone has a right to voice their opinion and SNC Lavalin respects that right," she says.
MacCormack says she can’t comment on whether SNC Lavalin is supplying bullets for the U.S.-led war in Iraq because all contracts are confidential. However, she says, "As long as the governments of Canada and NATO countries have elected to have armed forces and police forces, they have the right to be properly equipped."
* * *
Calgarians at risk of becoming homeless because they can’t pay their rent or in danger of having their utilities cut off because they can’t afford to pay their bills will now have some new financial assistance.
A new initiative called the Calgary Rent Bank will be launched May 13 to help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The bank will provide emergency loans for families and individuals to help them pay damage deposits and monthly rent so they don’t get evicted, and utility bills so their power or water isn’t shut off.
The Rent Bank is a partnership of MCC Employment Development, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, United way of Calgary and Area, and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. For more information about the program call Gabriela Townsend at MCC at 272-9310 (ext. 232).
* * *
The public will have a chance to check out the City of Calgary’s new draft Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) at two open houses being held at the First Baptist Church (1311 - 4 St. S.W.).
The first open house is on April 15 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the second open house is on April 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. City planners will make formal presentations both days at 12:15 p.m.
The plan aims to create a high-density, vibrant inner-city neigbourhood. Currently the Beltline has 17,000 people and the plan aims to triple the population. The ARP also aims to make improvements to existing public spaces such as Central Memorial Park and Haultain Park and to ensure that the Beltline has all the necessary amenities such as schools, libraries and green space to attract new residents. The plan envisions an environmentally friendly neighbourhood where people can easily walk, cycle and use public transit.
The Beltline is bounded by 17th Avenue S.W., the Elbow River, 14th St. S.W. and the CPR tracks. |
Copyright ©2005 FFWD. All rights reserved.