Zoe Royer, Leadership - Fairness

Hunger strike for bare necessities

Port Moody. BC has the highest child poverty rate in the country. The number of seniors who are homeless has tripled in the Lower Mainland. It costs $55,000 in additional health and policing for each homeless person.

“Governments have been too slow to act on social justice issues” says Zoe Royer. She is starving herself this week to make the point that Canada’s and BC’s priorities are wrong.

She joins 2010 Homelessness Champions in a demonstration aimed at elected civil servants who have forgotten what it means to serve. Enamored as they are with bridges and Olympic ovals, they have forgotten who they serve. 2010 Homelessness Champions is holding a Hunger Strike Relay to push for a national social housing program in Canada. Volunteers take 1 week shifts on a liquid diet before a new volunteer takes over. The hunger strike will end after the 2010 Olympics. The relay's baton is wooden cooking spoon.

In accepting the symbolic wooden spoon, Zoe Royer said: “How much poverty is ok? How much profit is enough? Let's see... do we feed our kids or give tax breaks to corporations? In a country like Canada, it is unacceptable that children go hungry and their parents can’t find decent housing.”

She insisted that she doesn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her being hungry this week. “I am doing this to bring awareness to others. Homelessness is not just a downtown Eastside problem. I served the homeless right here in the Tri-Cities. I am doing this because I want people to take the time to write to their elected officials and ask them to end poverty and homelessness.”

Royer would be moved if any local politician was willing to take the wooden spoon from her. Anyone interested in helping to fight poverty and homelessness can find more details on zoeroyer/ca.

Thank you!

On October 14, 2008, more than 10,400 supporters voted for Zoe and for changing course.

Here is what Zoe stands for:

Integrity. Although it should be law, I pledge to not change party affiliation after I am elected.

The Economy. Harper's $50 billion tax break to big corporations only serves to increase the prosperity gap. The Harper agenda has been set at the boardroom table rather than the kitchen table.

Health care. The NDP's Tommy Douglas created public medicare. After 25 years of neglect, the system is showing serious stress fractures. Wait times are exploding and five million Canadians can't find a family doctor. Seniors lack dignified long-term care spaces. Four million Canadians can't afford the prescription medicine they desperately need.

Affordable housing. We need a national minimum wage that is a living wage. We urgently need to index seniors' pensions. The Harper economy leaves far too many people behind. "I served homeless persons who had jobs but still could not afford housing" said Zoe Royer.

Climate change. Regarding global warming, most people are far ahead of politicians. Families like yours are ready to move from a polluting economy to a sustainable one. Jack Layton will invest in 40,000 "green collar" jobs and get big polluters to clean up.

Equality for Canadian Women. After decades of significant gains, progress has stalled. More than half of all Canadian women experience criminal violence in their lifetime. Stephen Harper closed 12 of 16 Status of Women offices across Canada. His funding rules exclude organizations that promote women's equality! He is ignoring the Pay Equity Task Force's 2004 recommendations. Let's get more NDP women in Parliament.

National Defense. while they are in Afghanistan, our troops deserve our support. The politicians who keep them there don't. The crippling financial cost of this war pales in comparison with the inexcusable loss of 97 Canadian lives. Let's plan the safe withdrawal of our troops.

As Prime Minister, Jack Layton will put you and your family first.

Zoe handing out Canada flags,

Golden Spike Days Festival,

July 2008.

I ask for your vote.

You deserve to know who I am.

Understands social needs.

Zoe experienced the hardships of

being a single mother struggling

to make ends meet.

Business woman. As a health

administrator, Zoe Royer spent

her career working with people

who care for people.

Community volunteer.

Royer volunteered with many

non-profit organizations and local

schools. She is a former Director

of the Golden Spike Days Society.

With her 21 year-old daughter,

Zoe Royer volunteered to serve

homeless persons on night shift at

a Tri-Cities shelter.

Cultural awareness. Zoe hosted

exchange students from Japan,

Korea and Taiwan, for 2 to 3

years at a time, as a way to bring

cultural diversity into her home

and enrich the prejudice-free lives

of her children.

Passion for the environment.

Zoe hosted Earth Day events at

her home to build awareness for

global warming and

environmental protection.

Zoe Royer lives in Port Moody with

her husband and two daughters.

Zoe Royer with Melanie Chan,

Canadian Tae Kwon Do

Champion Fin Weight Division.

Orange is the color of working

people.

Zoe chatting with Port

Coquitlam public works

employees.