I apologize for my delay in providing another update but I was out of town visiting family and so it was more challenging than usual to tend to all the Air We Share campaign matters. But have no fear, the campaign presses on!
Air We Share has joined forces with other groups to present the ‘Grey Day for Canadians’ rally and press release on October 13 and 17. I’ve attached a copy of the event flyer and more details can be found at airweshare.ca on the ‘raise your voice’ page. Please join us in Vancouver for the anti-celebration event if you can, but if you cannot (or in addition for those who can), then please send the Grey Day card to your politicians and also change your social media pictures/covers and posts to the images available for download on the airweshare.ca website.
I finally received a response from the Ministry of Housing and it was completely dissatisfying and a cop out. In their words: “Although a ban on smoking in multi-unit dwellings is not currently contemplated, the Province regularly reviews and updates strata legislation to make sure it serves the public interest and meets the needs of the strata community. It is important for government to hear from strata homeowners.” So I will need to respond and clearly outline again why they need to care and need to do something about this issue. And for those who rent, don’t worry, I will make clear to them again that stratas are not the only housing affected and that’s why we are also petitioning for smoke free in rental units/buildings. If you have not yet written to your MLA and the housing minister I strongly urge you to do so and let your wishes be heard. They need to hear from the people whose votes have impact on them.
The official paper-based petition is in the works and will be ready for signatures starting Saturday October 13. We will be collecting signatures at the Grey Day for Canadians event on Robson St between Howe and Hornby Oct 13 and 17 between 11:30am-1pm. If you are unable to come in person then please download the petition and signature form from airweshare.ca website (will be uploaded later this week) and once you’ve signed, please gather as many more signatures from people you know as you can. We will then figure out how to get the originals back to me.
Finally, Global is running a story featuring a variety of individual people’s stories about secondhand smoke and are looking for more people to interview and feature. If you are affected and willing to share your story with the news, please contact me at theairweshare@mail.com
Well I think that’s plenty for one update. Please continue to follow along and keep sharing this campaign with others. Check back to airweshare.ca website regularly and join our mailing list. We win win this fight yet!