BCGEU VP’s Clark, Oikawa lobby MPs to invest in social programs in federal budget
BCGEU
Jan 22 '09

Leaders from provincial public sector unions from across Canada were in Ottawa last week to press MPs to include new investments in social programs as part of the upcoming federal budget. 

The lobby group of leaders from affiliates of the National Union of Public and General employees included two BCGEU vice-presidents, Mike Clarke and Lorene Oikawa.

Clarke and Oikawa says that added social spending will better protect vulnerable families and help stimulate the economy—the key point they drove home in many meetings with MPs and Senators. 

Clarke says a key point needed to be made.  “With all this talk of investment in shovel ready infrastructure projects, we reminded politicians that investment in public infrastructure through enhanced spending on programs and services will also stimulate the economy,” Clarke says. 

Meanwhile, Oikawa says she was surprised how many officials wanted to meet with her delegation.  “We were able to get our voices heard,” says Oikawa.  “In tough times people need more help for social programs—and that need can only be met by investing in front-line services.”