USGE BBQ and Rally a great success

October 1, 2009

The Union of Solicitor General Employees (USGE) is please to announce the success of its BBQ and Rally to protest the closure of Canada's six prison farms.

"We are quite pleased with the turnout of supporters for this cause," said John Edmunds, National President of the USGE. "The weather cooperated and the message is getting out."

Supporters feasted on burgers and apple juice purchased from the farms at Pittsburgh and Frontenac institutions. "We wanted to make the point as to the quality of product from the prison farms and to show that, indeed, the inmates are learning valuable work and life skills," explained Edmunds. "We would like the Minister to clarify comments made that the skills learned by inmates in the farm program are of no use."

Rally speakers included John Gordon, PSAC National President, MPs Maria Minna (Lib.), Paul Dewar (NDP) and Malcolm Allen (NDP), Hassan Yussuff, Canadian Labour Congress; John Edmunds closed off the speakers' list with the rallying cry to "Save our Farms."

Supporters sported buttons, carried information brochures and bumper stickers and signed postcards destined for Prime Minister Harper.

"This is not a one-time event; in fact, it's only the first of many we have planned to get the message out that the farms need to remain. Maybe Minister Van Loan and Prime Minister Harper will start to listen to the Canadian public and leave the farms alone," declared Edmunds.

Extra burgers and juice were donated to the Shepherds of Good Hope and two local daycare centres.