- Who:
- Social workers and professionals from across New Brunswick, in Moncton for the annual meeting of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1418. They will be joined by members of the Moncton community and by supporters of all ages from across the province.
- What:
- A Walk for Children, to draw attention to the desperate need for 172 more social workers in NB.
This Walk event will feature:
- A welcome from Moncton Deputy Mayor Lorne Mitton,
- Robert LeMoignan, President of CUPE Local 1418,
- Claude Gnreux, General Vice-President of CUPE and President of CUPE Qub0065c,
- Linda Blackmore, Provincial and National President of Foster Family Association,
- Susan Barton, President of CUPE New Brunswick
- Bob Crockett, Director, CUPE Maritimes Region
- Where:
- Hotel Brunswick Keddys, 1005 Main Street (Moncton) to Place Assomption.
- When:
- 12 p.m., Saturday, May 26, 2001
- Why:
- There is a crisis in New Brunswick when it comes to protecting children from neglect and abuse. At least three deaths have been linked to a critical shortage of child protection workers. Children Come First, a report commissioned by the provincial government and released in July 2000, recommended the hiring of 172 new social workers. The Lord government has failed to take significant action to meet this goal.
The Walk for Children was launched to put pressure on the provincial government to take this crisis seriously. It is also a public education campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the need for more child protection and children services social workers.
The Walk for Children welcomes the participation of kids, their families, foster families and friends. Snacks will be served, and there will be two face painters.
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For more information:
Laurie Kingston, CUPE Communications, 613-266-1415 (cell).