No appropriate positive response from Ontario Government on the - 20 Volunteers Continue to Hunger Strike on 14TH June At Queen’s Park for the demands of all regarding the unresonable hike in insurance premiums and gas prices

20 Volunteers Continue to Hunger Strike on 14th June At Queen’s Park

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-

National Forum for Civic Action of Canada (NFCA) after having waited for over three weeks for getting appropriate positive response from Ontario Government started its hunger strike for getting their demands redressed.

The demands are:

1. There be an immediate across the table cut back on insurance premiums by 25%

2.      That the Government orders immediately caps on the premiums and directs the insurance companies not to increase the premiums, which are economically stifling.

3.      That a watch dog organization be set up to advice regarding the increase, if any, in future. This committee should have equal representation from the Insurance companies, the Government and the public.

4.      That the HST on Gas be is removed immediately.

5.      Immediate control of prices by delinking them from international prices, and by making the gas companies absorb some costs.

6.      Bring down the prices to Nov. 2010 level.

The response of the Finance Minister was to quote from the letter submitted to the Premier was “a typical reply that aims to delay and not address the issue”, and that “The response of Hon. Duncan was a classic example of dilatory political tactic unworthy of a Minister of crown and barely referred to the demands. “

NFCA after a long wait feels that the Government of Ontario is purposely being evasive and does not desire to address the issue.

As the demands have not been met, and there is no positive response, the volunteers of NFCA were forced to go on hunger strike from 13^th June, and NFCA says that onus of this rests entirely on the premier and Government of Ontario that is insensitive to their needs.

 NFCA has been acting in a very responsible manner and has given the Government ample notice, but the response has been evasive.  The authorities did not think it appropriate even to have discussion on these major issues.

All efforts having failed, the hunger strike started with 15 volunteers, including women, on 13 June, 2011 at 9:30 am.

On 14^th there shall be 20 volunteers, including 3 women and 4 from day 1, who shall continue this hunger strike.  It shall continue in this manner until some reasonable relief is assured to the suffering public.