Michael Byers on third day of hunger strike relay

UBC professor and recent federal NDP candidate Michael Byers is now on day three of his weeklong leg of a hunger-strike relay for housing.

On January 5 at 11 a.m., Byers took over from fellow NDP-card-carrying activist Am Johal, who completed the first leg.

“Fasting for an entire week is a very uncomfortable experience,” Byers said in an e-mail sent to media and supporters January 4. “But it is unconscionable that there are hundreds of thousands of homeless people in this country today. Canada is one of the richest countries on Earth, and yet we are the only developed country without a national affordable housing program. Canadians need to know this—and they need to demand action on the part of their Members of Parliament.”

Sarah Evans, manager of HIV/AIDS and harm reduction programs at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, will take over from Byers on January 12.

Brent Granby, president of the West End Residents Association, will follow on January 19, and Dr. Marria Townsend, a physician with Three Bridges Community Health Clinic, on January 26.

Comments

3 Comments

Brent Wittmeier

Jan 7, 2009 at 2:58pm

"there are hundreds of thousands of homeless people in this country today"

Really? Doesn't that seem a little high? I haven't seen any reliable stats on the homeless count, but would be interested to hear where he's getting that.

BajaWind

Jan 10, 2009 at 8:13am

it is not acceptable that any Canadians are sleeping and dying on the streets--there are vacant building everywhere...no actual shortage of beds, food or caring people is there? but no central place for them to join together...hmm, a place where if you needed help you could always go there and would be fed and safe. from safe you can be anything.