Since my last report, I participated in the Pride Conference in Toronto. The workshops were excellent, the speakers were inspirational and the whole conference was a tremendous success. Congratulations to all PSAC staff and conference organizers.
Over the period, members of the Greater Moncton Human Rights Committee decided to volunteer in two community kitchens in the region. It was a rewarding experience and a real eye-opener. Each kitchen provides lunch every week day; together, they serve between 400 and 500 lunches every day.
I will be attending the March meeting of the PSAC National Human Rights Committee. I expect that we will do a post-mortem of the Conference and receive input from members who were present. This information will guide the work for the next cycle.
As you undoubtedly know, I will not be able to run for the office of Director of GLBT members again, much to my chagrin. I agreed to an alternation to save a member’s job and, in doing so, I had to give up my union work although it means so much to me. I have learned a lot from this union, through my contact with you and with members. Those lessons are not lost and will remain with me in this next stage of my life. You will always have an ally in me and will always hold dear the principles of justice and equality.
Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I submit this last report. It has been an honour for me to represent you, to stand up for your rights, for our rights. I did my best to create awareness in the Atlantic region, in Canada and in the world about the GLBT reality. It was a privilege to know you. I have a lot of respect for the work you do, given the challenges we are facing. The Harper government must fall and although I will no longer be a union member, I will support your fight.
In Solidarity and with Pride
Sandy Cake