Skelly owes constituents an apology

RE: SOCIAL SERVICE CUTS

On Nov. 3 The Spectator published a photo of anti-poverty advocates from ACORN, a grassroots Canada-wide organization. We were demonstrating at the office of MPP Donna Skelly (PC) asking her to stop the 50 per cent cut to a raise in social assistance that had been passed by the Liberals before the election.

Our signs were not offensive — the most negative one said “3% barely enough, 1.5% insulting.” Some of us had experienced the loss of a promised $20 raise in the Ontario Works monthly cheques — the PC government reduced it to $10, an income of $731 per month.

It is understandable that MPP Skelly might not welcome us, but we were treated with a total lack of respect. Two people inside the building stood at a window, pointing and laughing at us.

OPP officers arrived and told us we had a right to demonstrate, but would have to leave if the inhabitants requested this. Eventually a man came out and told us to “go home” so we left.

We felt that MPP Skelly’s staff, by their mocking laughter, showed a lack of respect for the people she represents. It would be appropriate for her to offer an apology to our Hamilton Chapter of ACORN: she turned away a peaceful delegation who were protesting a loss of income — a threat to their health and well-being.

Joanne Johnson, Hamilton