Please read the following opinion editorial released on October 21, 2011, written by B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair:

Occupy a Movement of Hope

This past weekend a global movement that found its roots in Vancouver activism took a peaceful hold on downtown Vancouver.

Gathered together was a crowd of ethnically, culturally and economically diverse as our beautiful city.  Construction workers, nurses, firefighters, accountants, bus drivers, electricians, and flight attendants filled the ground of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

As President of the B.C. Federation of Labour, I have been fortunate to travel to every corner of our beautiful province to witness the rich abundance of our many natural resources.  With all the shared wealth of this province, it is unimaginable that so many here live in poverty.

In the days following the launch of Occupy Vancouver, a report was released that showed Vancouver families are working harder than ever and falling further behind.

This report provided a strong counter to Premier Christy Clark’s unfounded assertion that the Occupy Vancouver turnout would be small and that British Columbians aren’t facing real challenges.

Premier Clark failed to mention, of course, that her government had done more in 10 years to exaggerate inequality in our province than any government in modern B.C. history.

She neglected to say that tax cuts provided by her government put an additional $41,000 a year in the pockets of B.C.’s richest one per cent, while their incomes increased an astonishing $200,000 annually.

She didn’t mention that her government doubled college and university tuition fees, and dismantled B.C.’s top rated apprenticeship system.

She didn’t say that her government has left many young people with piles of debt and many more without the training and certification to take advantage of new jobs.

When Christy Clark’s B.C. Liberal government wasn’t busy handing out tax giveaways to the one per cent, they were equally busy gutting environmental regulations, reducing workplace safety standards, and handing big corporations $12 billion in tax cuts.

She didn’t mention that, either, when asked about Occupy Vancouver.

When thousands turned out Saturday, they included hospital workers who have seen their jobs privatized and wages cut to provide newfound profits for Liberal friends and insiders.

Public servants turned out because they have faced years of declining real incomes and cuts that made serving British Columbians much more difficult, while senior management and cabinet ministers were given double digit increases in their pay.

Families turned out because rampant speculation in the Vancouver housing market has flattened their dreams of home ownership.

People turned out because British Columbians want fairness, opportunity and equality – and we don’t have nearly enough of each here in B.C.  People turned out because they believe change isn’t just necessary, but that it’s possible.  People turned out because they have the hope that we can all live better lives.

As we approach the end of the first week of Occupy Vancouver, and the first month of Occupy Wall Street, it’s crystal clear that participants know exactly why they are there.  It’s surprising that Christy Clark isn’t.