“Taxes are the way we pay for the things we decide to do together, and we are stronger together." - powerful words spoken by Alex Himelfarb that seemed to echo at the Kitchener City Hall during the book launch of the "Tax Is Not A Four Letter Word".
We are ready to share with you some of the first conversations held on taxes and public services in 2011 Kitchen Table Talks, and the discussion that took place at the workshop after the book launch. You can view videos that recorded the guest speaker and panel presentations at our YouTube Channel.
Forums
Local Discussions on Taxation
Changing The Way We Think About Taxes
Tax Is Not A Four Letter Word. Tax is Brussels sprouts! Kaylie Tiessen from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Ontario says they are not always palatable but they are good for you. An interesting twits. Alex Himelfarb made another one: high taxes are good for business! Strong infrastructure, skilled workforce and good healthcare system are highly valued by businesses and they are all build with tax dollars. Carl Zehr, the Mayor of Kitchener, first asks what the services are that the citizens need and says that balance, sustainability and future legacy are the most important questions when thinking about municipal taxation.
Community Consultations on Poverty Reduction
As we enter the Fall of 2013, we would like to look back at our January Resolution and see how we have been following through. Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group will co-host with Catherine Fife, MPP Kitchener Waterloo, a community consultation on September 27 at Mary's Place in Kitchener.
Common Values Driving Our Community Action
People passionate about democratic renewal, environmental sustainability and economic equality, came together at the forum "What Drives Your Community Action?" on February 20th and articulated common principles behind individual activism: Equality, Future legacy, Compassion, Community of voices. Share the moments of discovery through photos taken at the First United Church in Waterloo and watch the video recording of the panel presentations.
What Drives your Community Action?
Come out for the panel presentation and a discovery session about values and principles guiding community action with Fair Vote Canada, TransitionKW, and Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo. February 20th, at 7 pm at the First United Church, 16 William St. Waterloo
Discover the connections between economic inclusion and fairness, environmental stewardship, and electoral reform.
Resolution for 2013 – A Poverty Free Ontario
The Social Planning Council of Kitchener Waterloo and partners in the Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group hosted a Community Forum on Ontario’s Social Assistance Reform on Saturday, January 19th, 2013.
First reactions after the forum: We need more of these and we need to keep the conversation ongoing! - Engage and promote to encourage wider participation. - Great number of actions to be taken. Don't lose the momentum!