Thank you to all who attended the “Peace of the Pie” People’s Hearings on Military Spending on September 21st!
If you were unable to attend in person you can now view the event on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/nfrCntd4Ww0?si=SoMWqEJOHQ5xHicK
Hearing and reading all of the contributions that connected our shared struggle for expanded healthcare, education, childcare, environmental protection, housing, employment insurance and public pensions, social assistance, public transit and more, to this government’s austerity budget, aimed at increasing Canada’s military spending, was extremely illuminating for all in attendance!
There is a basis of unity here that we can harvest to push our demands forward!
Our work is not done!
TAPS will compile all contributions—both verbal and written—into a final report to be shared publicly, submitted to local elected officials, and used for future education and advocacy.
Stay tuned for the launch of our final report!
Participating organizations include:
- Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association Toronto
- Canadian Federation of Students – Ontario
- Conscience Canada
- Fridays For Future Toronto
- Ontario Health Coalition
- ODSP Action Coalition
- Seniors for Climate Action Now
- Toronto & York Region Labour Council
- TTC Riders
- York South-Weston Tenant Union
- Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
- with musical performances by Life to Liberation
Military spending in Canada is poised to skyrocket – the pretext being NATO’s arbitrary new commitment that member states commit a staggering 5 percent of GDP on military spending. That represents $150b/annually in Canada.
Canada’s projected increase will come at the expense of spending that working people urgently need: healthcare, education, childcare, environmental protection, housing, employment insurance and public pensions, social assistance, public transit and more.
These considerations are left out of the political discourse, as politicians of all stripes rush to endorse NATO’s demands.
To amplify the voices of communities affected by this spending, TAPS is organizing a one-day, in-person “People’s Hearing” on military spending.
What could we do with a bigger “peace” of the budget pie, if government spending was prioritized differently?
We are inviting labour, peace, housing, social justice, and other community organizations to share their perspectives.
Event Details:
📍 United Steelworkers 25 Cecil St.
🕓 1-5pm (~4 hours)
📅 September 21st (International Peace Day)