Fighting for social justice not something you put on or take off: Maude Barlow to UNA

“Fighting for social justice is like a bath,” Maude Barlow told delegates and observers to the United Nurses of Alberta annual general meeting this afternoon. “You fight for it every day … or you stink!”

In other words, said the renowned author, activist, environmentalist and chair of the Council of Canadians, “fighting for social justice is not something you put on or take off.”

The fight is not easy, particularly after the damage done and continuing to be done to Canadian civil society by the Harper Government, Barlow acknowledged. She cited a long list of civil society groups, scientific bodies and essential public services, including health care services, that have been attacked or gutted by the federal government since Prime Minister Stephen Harper came to power.

And without doubt, a direct attack on public health care is part of the government’s long-term program, she said, despite its unwillingness to attack popular essential programs head on.

But there is plenty of reason to hope as well, reminding the approximately 850 UNA members, observers and staff in the room at the Edmonton Expo Centre that “the year my mother was born, the Canada Elections Act said no woman, lunatic, idiot of child may vote. … We have come a long way, and we can change!”

To restore what has been lost and stop the attack on Canada, Barlow said, “we need a vision of or own to counter this direct assault on medicare. … And we need to assert our values in the political life of our country.”

“It’s not about winning a particular campaign,” she cautioned. “It’s about building democracy. It’s about supporting each other through hard times. … It is always too early to declare defeat!”

Barlow warned UNA delegates that their victories will not always be clear-cut, but they will come.

“Our victories may come as subtle, complex, slow changes instead of the big ones that we would like. But we can build on inclusivity and diversity right from the beginning.” 

Barlow said social movements often start small and still achieve big results. “Don’t assume you have to find all the resources before you jump into an issues. … If you start the campaign, somebody will come and help you.

“Have a big vision,” she said. “Promote the change we need to happen.

“We have a great task ahead of us,” she continued. “We’re going to have to undo some very bad stuff. It’s going to take our whole lives.

“But then,” she concluded, “what else do we have to do?”

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