WTEP We're Together Ending Poverty is a diverse group of people who are working to:
• educate ourselves and other people on the root causes of poverty, and to
empower ourselves and other folks to take action around the root causes of poverty
We believe:
• that charity does not address the roots cause of poverty
• that poverty has a ripple effect in the lives of people
• that to understand the
root causes of poverty we need to examine our society from many different perspectives including but not limited to: gender, race, class, ability, age and sexual orientation,
• that the concentration of wealth in a few hands, locally and globally, and the continued existence of patriarchal attitudes and practices are fundamental causes of poverty and its differential impact on people,
• that people with experience of poverty must have a voice in making change,
• and that working for permanent systemic changes in our political, economic and social systems to improve the lives of women will also benefit children and men. Our immediate demands include:
• universal accessible and affordable child care
• affordable housing via rent controls and social housing programs
• living wages for all, including those on AISH and other forms of social assistance
• quality support for the most vulnerable in our society so that they can maintain fulfilling lives
• redistribution of wealth through tax reform so that corporations and the very wealthy pay their fair share
• electoral reform in Alberta (proportional representation; boundary changes)
Actions include but are not limited to:
• education and awareness raising among ourselves and others
• allying with other organizations addressing the same demands
• lobbying politicians and making government officials accountable
• political agitation-rallies, agit prop etc.
• involvement in electoral politics
WTEP acknowledges the traditional territories of the Blackfoot and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikuni, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Stoney
Nakoda First Nations, including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nation1. The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.
