Hello  all,

Following the meeting at Metro Hall, 29 June, I wish to comment on it
and on all communications so far.


Conflicts  and  Contradictions:

. We are very interested in the agenda/meeting proceedings:  Attendance of 4.
   (Of 80 something on the list-serve residing in Toronto)

. Many organizations are active and do a lot of things:  Nothing is  
being done.

. The SDOH list-serve is to inform and educate people:  Committees and orgs
   are not interested in listening or changing.

. Education and awareness will bring about action:  Public education  takes
   decades. (Nothing significant has been done after identifying the problem)

. Awareness will help change:  Social behaviour modification is not voluntary.
   (Public was aware of  detrimental health effects of tobacco, but  
the majority
    of smokers did not refrain from smoking until the Non-Smoking Law was
    progressively enforced.)

. We should  think about coordinating our efforts under common banners:  These
   are very busy times, we are active in other advocacy efforts(to collaborate/
   support you).



Conclusion:

Action  requires  participation  and  commitment, and it does speak louder
than words of interest and intent already offered.  Education, however  
important, it has failed to initiate changes, especially on health  
issues  requiring amendment of statutes on policy and governance.

The strategy of this Action group would be to treat issues and concerns of
both individual participants and organization representatives in an  
integrated  and consolidated effort to pressure the government on  
implementation.
Same idea of a coalition/union with the assertiveness and solidarity  
to make demands based on civil and  human rights toward  health.

As it appears now, insular agendas and inconsistent collaborative  
efforts  create fragmentation and ineffectiveness in the long run,  
even though  some progress has been made sporadically.

I can easily say, that by the time communities’ short or long-term  
goals are reached, the problems are worsened and the standards on  
which these goals were based become obsolete.
As well, lack of interest to participate  in a new  initiative gives impetus
to organizations to reconstruct it and plan a campaign on it at a  
later date...


However, I am willing to pursue this  SDOH  Action  group  and  again reserve
a room at Metro Hall, provided I receive your response on your  
willingness to attend.



Lela  Gary
Air Pollution Coalition

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