Published in Canadian Immigrant.  July 23, 2010.
Staff writer.
Photographer – Sima Sahar Zerehi.

At the free event’s town hall meeting, residents and public sector workers are expected share personal stories describing their experience with public services — both as a place of employment, and as a provider of critical services.

A community barbecue event and town hall meeting to “encourage residents to protect public services” in the lead up to Toronto’s municipal elections is organized in Etobicoke this weekend. The civic engagement event will take place on Saturday, July 24 at Elmbank Community Centre located at 10 Rampart Road, Toronto, according to its organizers.

At the free event’s town hall meeting, residents and public sector workers are expected share personal stories describing their experience with public services — both as a place of employment, and as a provider of critical services. Participants will also discuss ways to protect and improve public services.

“Without high quality public services, society’s divisions will grow as those who cannot afford public services will fall further behind,” says Judy Persad, coordinator of the Good Jobs for All Coalition, one of the organizers. “We need to invest in our public services to ensure the health and vitality of our communities.”

Free food (halal) and soft drinks, activities for children and youth, and information tables staffed by City of Toronto service and program workers, local social service agencies, community groups, and unions are part of the event. A video diary of the day’s event will be circulated to the mayoral candidates, the organizers say.