Post Inquest Action Alert

Martin Launches Campaign For Change
Implement Kimberly Roger's Inquest Recommendations

January 8, 2003

Sault Ste. Marie – NDP Poverty critic Tony Martin today launched ‘Campaign
for Change’, an electronic lobbying effort to pressure the Conservatives into transforming Ontario’s punitive social assistance system.

“The inquest into the death of Kimberly Rogers resulted in critical recommendations for change,” Martin said. “It is up to all of us to make sure those changes get made. That is what the campaign for change is all about.”

Kimberly Rogers died, eight months pregnant, while under house arrest for welfare fraud. She had put herself through school on student loans while on social assistance.

“The five ordinary Ontarians who made up the Coroner’s Jury thoroughly examined the effects of the Conservative government’s punitive welfare policies and have demanded action. It is now time for the Premier to act and implement their recommendations,” said Sault MPP Tony Martin.

Martin is asking Ontarians to write, fax or email the Premier and the Minister of Community, Family and Children’s Services to demand immediate implementation of all of the jury’s recommendations. He is also calling on everyone to contact five friends and ask them to do the same.

To make it easier, Martin has set up an electronic postcard atwww.ontariondp.on.ca that can be sent automatically. (click on: Implement Kimberly Roger's Inquest Recommendations)

After five weeks of intensive examination the Coroner’s Jury made fourteen recommendations including: the end of the lifetime ban from social assistance and an increase in social assistance rates to actually cover the basic cost of living.

“It is up to us to hold the Conservatives accountable,” said Martin. “We must all work together to make sure that all of the Roger’s recommendations get implemented.”

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Webmaster's Note:

Here is the pinpoint URL on the Ontario NDP website where you can send an electronic postcard directly to Ernie Eves and/or Brenda Elliot http://www.ontariondp.on.ca/issues/poverty/rogers.html

After sending the first email to Ernie Eves, if you use your browser's back button, the same message you sent to Eves will appear on your screen. You can then amend the message appropriately, and change the drop down menu next to the "Dear" to send it to Brenda Elliott.