Princeton’s St. Paul’s United Church is partnering with MP Alex Atamanenko (BC Southern Interior) to host a public showing of the acclaimed film Poor No More, featuring Canadian actress and comedian Mary Walsh.
The film will show on Thursday, February 24th at St. Paul’s United Church Hall, 190 – 1st Street in Princeton at 7:00 pm. Refreshments will be served as of 6:30 pm with the donation of non-perishable food items gratefully accepted for the local Food Cupboard.
The film’s promotion notes “We were always told “If you work hard, things will get better.” But while corporations protected their profits, hard-working Canadians’ lives and livelihoods have unravelled. The recession erased jobs and piled up public and private debt, leaving more people poor or insecure.
The film looks at the structural causes of poverty and how individuals and families are affected.
Atamanenko, Harry Lali MLA and Moderator Cathy Yingling will be joined after the film showings by Allan Kovaltsenko of the Princeton Crisis Assistance Centre, Town Councillor Ray Jarvis, Solana Allison of Save Our Similkameen, and other guest panellists for panel presentations and an open discussion with those attending.
“We hope that this film will help spark a conversation about economic well-being in our community and our country,” said Sue Alton, of St. Paul’s United Church. “Poverty is at the root of many of the social problems in our community, and factors like affordable housing, child care, education and health care are central to this," Alton added.
“I firmly believe that we can tackle poverty AND strengthen our Canadian economy,” said Atamanenko. “This film gives a chance for people to see how it has worked in other places, and how it could be different in Canada. I am looking forward to some good discussion.”
Poor No More, a film directed by Bert Deveaux and produced by Suzanne Babin, was released in April 2010, and sponsored by a wide range of supporters from across Canada – from the Anglican Church of Canada to the United Way of Calgary, representing many faith groups, social services, and student, teacher, and nursing organizations, professionals and more.
Other Poor No More forums have been held in Grand Forks, Oliver, Osoyoos, Kaslo, Castlegar and Nelson, with a further showing in Trail on February 23rd before the Princeton Forum.