Tuesday, January 5, 2010

10 Tough Questions with Tim Dobbie


The Hamiltonian is pleased to welcome Tim Dobbie as our first guest of 2010, to 10 Tough Questions. To learn more about Tim's work with the Jobs and Prosperity Collaborative, please see Spec story here.

1. The Jobs Collaborative is over the “honeymoon period”. Can you describe its successes to date?

The success of the Jobs Prosperity Collaborative (JPC) to date, comes from the work being done by the seven interconnected working groups committed in the areas of: Innovation & Learning, Hamilton’s Image, Quality of Life, Immigration, Commercial Land and Infrastructure Strategy, a Predictable Supportive Planning Process that Ensures Sustainable Commercial Development and the Economic Portfolio. Three examples of successes are:

• The Predictable Supportive Planning Process group has held workshops with City staff and those in Hamilton who work in the commercial and industrial development sector. The workshops have assisted in breaking down the barriers between both the staff and developer groups, and have improved the development of the ‘one-window development application planning processes’ in Hamilton for commercial and industrial development. This work will continue until the middle of 2010.

The Commercial Land and Infrastructure Strategy group has made two presentations to Hamilton City Council with respect to the issue of ensuring that Hamilton has shovel-ready land for commercial and industrial development. The JPC’s position has been that Hamilton needs a variety of development options available for commercial and industrial new developments. These options include the Harbour lands where an industrial development can have access by ship, rail or road; and the industrial park development such as Glanbrook and Flamborough where developments have great access to the highway network and developments around the airport. The JPC is assisting the City in development plans for servicing of these lands. In addition, the JPC is assisting the City in ensuring that the new zoning by-law will contain the flexibility needed to attract commercial and industrial developments.

• The third success I would mention of the JPC is the event held on November 30, 2009 that featured speaker Bill Strickland. One of the goals of the JPC is to engage the citizens in Hamilton, as much as possible, in this jobs initiative. The Bill Strickland event, attended by approximately 1,500 people, was our first such event and will be followed by two additional events during 2010.

2. What measures are in place, or what systems are in place to gauge the effectiveness of the Jobs Collaborative. For example, can you identify how many net new jobs have materialized as a result of the collaborative’s efforts?

The JPC is working hard on identifying performance indicators. Many of the performance indicators are easy to measure such as:

• Acres of shovel-ready land for commercial and industrial development available

• New jobs created in Hamilton

• Unemployment rates

These metrics are forming part of our annual report. While these are easy to measure, it is impossible to say which organization is directly responsible. For example, if there are 200 new jobs created in Hamilton in 2009, it is impossible to say whether this was as a result of work done by the Hamilton Economic Development Department in the City of Hamilton, the work of industrial realtors in Hamilton or somewhat related to the work of the JPC. The increase of jobs may have also been triggered by existing companies expanding or new companies coming to Hamilton. So while there are measures that give a clear indication of Hamilton’s progress in the jobs area, the determination of who exactly created or caused those jobs to occur will not be known. The JPC also has other measures it considers such as the number of volunteer hours worked in the community by JPC members as well as an estimated value of this volunteer time.

3. There are different hierarchies of job types, from entry level to senior executive levels. What efforts are in place to ensure that the everyday Hamiltonian has opportunities for meaningful work?

We agree that there are different hierarchies of job types. In our input to the economic development strategy that the City of Hamilton is working on, the JPC has suggested that the strategy needs to meet the requirements in part of those workers who are already in Hamilton and are unemployed or under-employed. Hamilton’s economic development strategy is designed to identify the importance of high-end jobs (such as those who are very technically qualified) as well as identify jobs for existing Hamiltonians.

4. Bill Strickland, in his recent speech at Hamilton Place said “Every person is an asset and not a liability”. Is the Jobs Collaborative sensitized to those living in poverty in Hamilton? Are there any plans to reach out to those on social assistance in some shape or form? To the extent that this is being done, can you describe the process?

Members of the JPC enjoyed listening to Bill Strickland as much as all of the 1,500 people who attended his presentation. It is not simply enough to bring Mr. Strickland to Hamilton to hear him talk. We must also take action on the message that he has given us. Our process is to see, first of all, which groups are already working in the area of helping those who living in poverty and unemployed or underemployed. Some of these groups include “Pathways to Education”, “Amity Goodwill” and “The Threshold School of Building” just to name a few. Our process will be to identify and engage these groups and others, and to work with them in determining how the Bill Strickland message can make improvements in this area. This work will include a more detailed review of Mr. Strickland’s work in Pittsburgh and how it might be applied in Hamilton.

5. You’ve spoken about the need for a Made in Hamilton solution. Is that solution taking shape and what are the unique characteristics of Hamilton that it must respond to?

Members of the JPC and its working groups represent a wide variety of Hamiltonians. We are fully committed in working with Hamiltonians and are purposely expanding our community engagement during 2010. Our view is that a ‘made in Hamilton’ solution will come directly from all the Hamilton citizens we engage.

6. Over 35,000 Hamiltonians leave our city each day to work in other cities. How do we recall this exodus of Hamilton talent?

If we give any of the 35,000 Hamiltonians who leave our City for work an opportunity to have a job within the City of Hamilton that meets their needs, then we would effectively decrease the exodus of talent. The JPC is about one thing – and that is jobs.

7. What are the goals for the prosperity portion of the Job Prosperity Collaborative. How do you measure its distribution?

We do not have goals set for prosperity. We use prosperity in the title of our organization. Our view is that there should be a job for everyone who wishes to work. The job should be one that people enjoy, that gives them satisfaction in their personal life and also provides them a wage that allows them to live in a fashion that meets their needs.

8. Some Hamiltonians have suggested that part of the reason why we are not accelerating at a satisfactory pace is that the same people are called upon to lead initiatives. Would you agree with that sentiment and if not, how are we ensuring that a healthy cross section of Hamiltonians are included in the effort?

In the early work of the JPC, it seemed to me that everywhere I went I would see similar faces in the community taking the leadership role. During 2009, however, the JPC took action to start to engage a broader group in the community. In January of 2009, we had a community event and as a result of that event we had 35 additional volunteers come forward to work with the seven working groups in the JPC. During 2009, we also conducted four Mayor’s lunches bringing many other people into the JPC environment. On November 30, 2009, the Strickland event brought forward many other interested citizens. During 2010, we will continue our actions in trying to engage as many people as possible in helping their community prosper.

9.  What would success look like in 6 months, for the JPC?

In six months, success for us would be:

• A significant increase in the shovel-ready land available for commercial and industrial development

• Celebrating with City of Hamilton staff in the development of their ‘one-window commercial and industrial application process’ that is opened up in the completed and renovated City Hall

• A definite buzz in the community that Hamilton is on the right track

10. Some look upon committees, round tables and the like as discussion forums that don’t necessarily deliver the goods. How is the JPC remaining grounded with the expectations of everyday Hamiltonians?

First of all, if we were to look ahead 5 years or 10 years from now and saw that there was a significant increase in jobs available in Hamilton; that all Hamiltonians agreed that Hamilton was prospering; and that poverty was significantly reduced, the JPC would be comfortable if the credit for turning the City around was being given to everyone except the JPC. We recognize that in the end, the JPC may not be seen to deliver any of the successes. Our vision is the same as the City – namely “To be the best city in Canada to raise a child, promote innovation, engage citizens and provide diverse economic opportunities.” and our role is:

• Promote a strategic job creation focus

• Encourage broad community engagement

• Leverage change and action

• Ensure learning, communication and accountability

We plan on remaining grounded with the expectations of everyday Hamiltonians by going out and speaking to as many Hamiltonians as we can. In 2010, everyone can become part of the JPC.

11. How can you everyday Hamiltonian become involved?

Everyday Hamiltonians can become involved by going to the JPC website at www.jpchamilton.ca and signing up to be part of the JPC. We have a catalogue of suggestions of what people can do to help, which came out of the Strickland event, and we are planning on increasing the options available in that catalogue significantly over 2010.

Thanks Tim for your contribution to The Hamiltonian and for your interest in Hamilton!


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19 comments:

  1. Here's what i think Cal and Mr. D

    Q 1- fair answer but the Bill S thing is stretching it

    Q2- hmm...sounds like they dont have exact measures for them

    Q3 Read the last line in the answer. Looks like he doesnt have a high view of Hamilton folk.

    4. Answer not bad but Stricklend aint the messiah

    5. okkkkay

    6. Worse answer. Not ebven an answer. Missed the whole point of Cals question

    7 So why have it in the title if it dont mean __t?

    8. huh? missed it again. Too much reuse, recycle...I think we need to send some of it to the curb

    9. wish i beleived that

    10 Too much spin in this answer...come on!

    11. Too much BS- Bill Striclend

    Elvis P. Thank-you Mr. Dobbie. Thankyouverymuch!
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  2. Michelle HruschkaJan 5, 2010 07:38 PM
    Welcome Mr Dobbin: I attended the Bill Strickland event and he was inspiring, however, it was sort of an oxymoron, when I looked at some of the groups that collaberated for this event.

    Explain to me how you can say that the Amity Goodwill is about helping people, when they enforce "workfare" policies?

    Some of the other groups involved do the same, ENFORCE WORKFARE POLICIES, so to me, they are not helping people one bit.

    It seems to me that this JPC, will never get anywhere when you involve the very structures that are set up to step on workers, where they have unqualified staff, who do not have a clue about the real issues workers face.

    In fact, one of the places, told a unionized worker, who had lost their job due to occupational disease, that they should "forget" about grievance process. They threatened to have the family cut off EI, their only source of income. It is pretty sad and dangerous when you are promoting places that do not have staff that are even qualified to be giving information out that pertains to "legal" issues regarding employment.

    I find it hard to believe that you promote places that do not even know what he concept of a "living wage" means. Most of the programs are boring, bogus, that have no relevance to workers rights.

    My experience with the Amity Goodwill was less then to be desired. Their Workfare program, does little to ensure workers get work that is viable, that do not check into the employers one, bit, only if they have paid to WSIB, other then that, they do not check out anything.

    They do not match workers skill levels, with appropriate work, it is only about placing you where ever, low wage, low skill, you have no rights, you must work for a number of weeks for nothing, as they deem this as training and if you say no, they WILL HAVE YOU CUT OFF WELFARE, PERIOD!!!

    I am still trying to figure out how someone who was a receptionist, can be telling people about careers and networking, when the whole aim of the workshop was to promote the call center jobs, that do not pay a living wage, I doubt if any of these places have a joint health and safety committee or even a worker rep. I went to one of these places a few years back, a call center, and well it is like a prison sentence. Of course the temp agencies, also promote these places, which is another bunch of entities that do not ensure workers rights either, thus the implementation of Bill 139, of which I went and spoke in front of the standing committee about the lack of rights temp workers face.

    I put up my hand to say that job does not pay a living wage and was bluntly chasticed, as the reply was "IT IS A LIVING WAGE FOR SOMEONE", no it is not, it is minimum wage. And when I made a complaint, some twenty something comes out and that person has no clue either. Yes, I know what it is about, and it has nothing to do with fairness or equality, there was no investigation and in fact, I was labelled the bad guy because I dared to stand up and speak my mind, of which as an individual, you are not allowed to do so.

    There is no process in place to even complain about these places you promote as viable sources of information and help.

    It is a poverty industry, plain and simple, that promotes slavery and degradation,to step on workers rights, because you do not have any, as far as any of these places are concerned. It is about the CEO's and Board of Directors, getting their grandiose salaries, that is all.

    VIVA la Revolution! Workers need to stand together, to fight against this evil that you are promoting, as the good guy. This is why I am working with others in the community to get a workers center up and running.

    Here's a suggestion, maybe you should have a grassroot speaker talking about the "REAL" experiences people go through at the very agencies you promote as the good guys, so that there is real change and we can abolish your poverty industry.
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  3. So much of the JPC’s response qualifies as pure bunkum.
    This soupe du jour demonstrates yet again that in Hamilton we continue to be fed a steady diet of drivel, bureaucratic obfuscation, and consultese which stands between real inputs and outputs and real jobs for real Hamiltonians.

    Word on the street is that the JPC smacks of being an elitist lunch club (with its very own maître d’) that chews the cud spewed by its twin ugly sister the Hamilton Roundtable on Poverty Reduction. Neither of these highly taxpayer subsidized organizations has done anything tangible other than hold “high profile” workshops and luncheons to which ingratiating politicians show up so they can be counted as having done something for the community.

    Is it any wonder that no one expects much to come out of yet another pie in the sky best place to raise a child non-initiative?
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  4. I do not wish to knock good people who try to do great things, but Mr. Dobbie places a great deal of emphasis on just two points: Strickland and shovel-ready.

    First for the uninitiated, what does Strickland stand for:

    "Every human being, despite the circumstances of his or her birth, is born full of potential," [says Strickland]. "And that the way to unlock that potential is to place individuals in a nurturing environment and expose them to the kind of stimulating and empowering creative experiences that feed the human spirit."

    These are wonderful inspirational words but if you think he's talking about our public education system you're sadly mistaken.

    "The key, [says Strickland], was focusing on growing sectors and partnering with private industry to design the curriculum and find faculty. Plus, he's a master at partnering with people inspired by his vision and willing to hand over money to fulfill it."

    I wish Strickland had just come right out and said that our public education system sucks. Anyhow on to Mr. Dobbie who won't even even admit that JPC isn't doing jack squat except offering ordinary people the opportunity for non-paying volunteer jobs, while the JPC's titled membership has lunch with the mayor.

    Shovel-ready land seems to be one of JPC's primary concerns for commercial and industrial development. To me this implies that JPC is a strong proponent of the aerotropolis employment lands and yet, Mr Dobbie answered a Hamilton Spectator question in a much different way when asked; "In your opinion, is there an asset Hamilton has overlooked?" To which he replied, "The downtown."

    The Downtown??? Is that the place where vacant derelict buildings abound? These buildings are well beyond shovel-ready, most of them are virtually turn-key for the right business with a little creative improvement. Take the Mark Preece building for example!

    I've got two ideas for Mr. Dobbie I'm gonna volunteer to him and the JPC free of charge. There are two products we need Made-In-Hamilton immediately, the first being garlic. How asinine is it that 98% of the garlic in my local grocer is from China and the other 2% comes from Quebec? Second we need SHOVELS and people who are READY to use them for planting garlic in the fertile land surrounding the airport. So there you go Mr. Dobbie. If we cannot grow and distribute this food "which feeds the human spirit and families" better and cheaper than importing from foreign lands, we ain't got a chance in hell of realizing our true potential towards healthier sustainable prosperous use of real property.

    Thanks for sharing Tim.
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  5. Robert SorderoJan 6, 2010 12:59 PM
    I will admit that i dont know a lot about the JPC, but I didn't get a good feeling from these answers. I think the questions were fair. By now, there show have been better answers. How much money is this costing us

    Robert Sordero
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  6. Dobbie said "The third success I would mention of the JPC is the event held on November 30, 2009 that featured speaker Bill Strickland. "

    Anyone who would say this is an accomplishmentr in of itself, is REALLY missing it. Lets hope there are much better measures in place. God help us
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  7. Cal, I read the answers and checked out the JPC website. The JPC seems to be just another social phenomena of networking. People are there to make business contacts and to be able to put on their resumes what do gooders they are by belonging to JPC. I could not find anywhere in their website where they offer training or any other assistance to the unemployed. How much longer before they are asking for public tax dollars to continue their good works.
    Employment Hamilton http://www.employmenthamilton.com/ is a much more valuable resource for those looking for work.
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  8. One thing for sure, when it comes to actually "creating" new jobs Hamilton has thousands of individuals and consultants talking about it, but very little to show for it.

    The $64,000 dollar question is, exactly how many new jobs were created in 2009?
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  9. @Elvis P - Thank you for your comments, particularly with respect to Bill Strickland. We agree that Bill Strickland does not have all of the answers for Hamilton, but he does give us some interesting ideas for thought. We are planning on having two additional community events, similar to the one with Mr. Strickland.

    In response to your comment on #6 – I don’t think there is any easy way to answer this question mainly, because there is no one possible solution. In order to eliminate the need for Hamiltonians to travel outside of the city to work, we must strive to create a city that offers them the same opportunities as their current employer.

    In response to your comment on #8 – I agree that there is a prominent group of people who are involved in the JPC. This group of Hamiltonians are committed to the city and committed to working with the JPC to make at a change. We have identified this lack of diversity as a concern and are working towards broadening the cross-section through multiple initiatives such as getting involved with the online Hamilton community, participating in forums and listening to commenters. We are excited to have new members involved in the JPC but with any initiative, we have to start from the bottom and work our way up.

    @Michelle - Thank you for your response. I am not in a position to speak for Amity Goodwill or any of the individual members of the JPC for that matter. However, I still hope that you will get involved in some of our future activities.

    Also, I found your suggestion at the end of your comments interesting in regards to having a grass roots speaker talking about the real experiences that people go through with public agencies. I would be happy to talk to you about that further. My e-mail address is tld@tdobbie.com.

    @Tired of the BS - I think we are all a little tired of BS. I agreed to participate in Cal’s 10 Tough Questions because I wanted to get the message out about the JPC. But more importantly, I wanted better insight as to what people were thinking and talking about. Looks like I struck a nerve. But in doing so I’m happy to find the opportunity to clear some things up. The JPC is made up of government, business, labour, education, environment, social services, not-for-profit organizations, healthcare, and others. We may be supported by council but we make our own decisions based on our seven pillars. I’m sure we can agree that in order to get anything accomplished we must collaborate as whole and work together (including council) to help make Hamilton prosperous. You may not agree with how we are doing it but I think you can agree that we both are after the same thing. If you, or anyone else, would like to discuss this further, please email me at tld@tdobbie.com.

    @WRCU2 - I respectfully disagree with you but do want to raise an issue with respect to your comment on the downtown. I still maintain that the downtown is an asset that is overlooked. Thank you for your feedback.

    cont.
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  10. @Robert – I hope my responses, thus far, have helped clarify the JPC's, and my, position. As for cost, all the JPC events are paid for through donations and corporate sponsors.

    @Anonymous – I believe that bringing together 1,500 people to talk about how we can make Hamilton prosper is an accomplishment. Don’t you? (rhetorical)

    @Tom – I can see how you would view the JPC in that light. Judging by your response (and the others) I can see that we have a long way to go. I did not participate in the 10 Tough Questions expecting your support. In fact, I assumed that the reaction would be quite similar to what it is now. I hope in time you will see that the JPC is not just another “social phenomena of networking” and that we are, indeed, the real deal.

    In regards to Employment Hamilton, I think it’s an excellent resource for those looking for a job. The JPC is about more than finding people jobs; it’s about creating them. Hamilton Jobs (http://www.hamiltonjobs.com/) is another good resource for Hamilton job seekers.

    @EVERYONE – I want to thank everyone for their honest feedback. What I’ve learned in participating in Cal’s 10 Tough Questions is that there are obstacles that still need to be overcome. If we are truly going to make this effort collaborative, your feedback is important. I strongly encourage you register for the JPC to help us further understand the concerns of the Hamilton community.

    Thank you, Cal, for inviting me to participate in your 10 Tough Questions.
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  11. Thanks Tim for responding to the commentary. It takes guts to have open and free dialogue on a blog and I would hope others have the same courage. I think you've set a good example.

    The dialogue on this thread continues to be useful. I'm glad you are taking the comments seriously and responding.

    Thanks Tim and to all. Let's continue talking. It never hurts to understand our various perspectives; even if we don't always agree with each.

    Cal
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  12. Patrick MatozzoJan 6, 2010 07:19 PM
    Interesting concepts being put forward by the JPC with respect to economic development. There’s no question that everyone involved in JPC intiatives and the City of Hamilton is trying to do the best job they can to solve a very complex dilemma Hamilton finds itself in and has been in for the past 25 years. However, do you truly believe that you and your groups understand what the issues are and how we got into this mess, as I not sure the City of Hamilton understands. I would err on the side of caution Tim, as the City of Hamilton has been very good for the past 25 years at polarizing itself. The City of Hamilton can pat themselves on the back all they want on a job they think they’ve done to foster job creation in this city. There’s a reason why 35,000 people work outside of Hamilton.
    With all due respect to catchy name shovel ready land for commercial and industrial development, it’s an old concept used by other municipalities with a new name. For instance, 15 years ago the City of Vaughan’s Economic Development Department, had a vacant land directory, that listed every piece of serviced commercial and industrial piece land with the respective zoning use, along with 10-15 year master plan on where they were going. Bringing an old concept from younger municipalities to an older City with unique issues is quite interesting. However it’s never too late, only time will tell. I also have some faith in the new innovation park that McMaster is developing, even though it’s a 30 year old concept that has used in the United States. Again only time will tell, we’ll see how the investment and venture capital community react or have an appetite for the type on innovations that are developed that have commercial viability; and, hopefully the technologies/innovations will stay local to create jobs.
    I do have one question however with the shovel ready land intiatives. If companies locate to Flamborough or on the periphery or outside of city, how will the people who currently aren’t working or living in poverty who may get jobs at these new companies get to work, if they don’t have cars? If you haven’t noticed the price of oil hit almost $84 dollars per barrel today and rising, the cost of transportation isn’t getting cheaper its getting more expensive. My advice to you and your peers is to re-look at the shovel ready strategy and figure out how we can reuse the lands within the city limits. Unfortunately those large parcels along Burlington Street are contaminated, really contaminated.
    It’s too bad; the Canadian Federal Government hasn’t put together a Super Fund like the US had under the Clinton administration to clean up contaminated lands for reuse. Believe or not in the 1995 Auditor General Report there was mention that Canada had a substantial amount of contaminated land and that the government should focus to clean up these properties for reuse.
    I didn’t know who Bill Strickland was, so I googled him and went to his web site. Very impressive for what he’s done in the inner- city of Pittsburgh. Let’s not lose site that Hamilton is not Pittsburgh and the only thing Hamilton has ever had in common with Pittsburgh is steel. I not sure we can draw on similar parallels between Hamilton and Pittsburgh. Go ahead if you want, I don’t agree. Don’t forget Pittsburgh has had and does have a lot more influential people with more money than Hamilton does. As Pittsburgh went through there transformation starting about 25 years ago, they had a lot of influential people and companies with money that made it happen. Anyways enough said.
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  13. Mr. Dobbie, you respectfully disagree but to what? The fact that public education is woefully inadequate or that I cannot buy Ontario grown garlic or you deny breaking bread with the Mayor?

    Strickland had to create his own training facility which shewed greater success rates than the local schools. I can demonstrate the link between low test scores and malnutrition. Where would you like to go with this?

    I have taken the initiative to get involved with one of the organizations mentioned in the JPC Community Engagement Catalogue because that's the kinda guy I am. Much to the chagrin of my wife I have asked to volunteer with the HLC as a tutor. I am waiting to see if like other organizations I attempted to volunteer with, I am expected to pay out of my own pocket for a police check and a TB test.

    I am willing to commit to a 40 hour training session and four hours of my time a week for one year. This program places me in a one on one teaching environment. I know I am worth more than that in a community service capacity. In fact, this blog tests the mettle of my literacy on a daily basis. How would you suggest I get INVOLVED?

    Respectfully,
    Gregory D. Hough
    farmer6re9@execulink.com
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  14. Mr. D- thanks for the feedback to my feedback. We should cut to it. Have less meetings and roundtables- they're not cool. Have more stats to shoot for- like new jobs as Cal's Q2- then tell us how many new jobs were created. Simple

    Elvis P.
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  15. Question #6....
    "If we give any of the 35,000 Hamiltonians who leave our City for work an opportunity to have a job within the City of Hamilton that meets their needs, then we would effectively decrease the exodus of talent. The JPC is about one thing – and that is jobs."
    These people have the capabilities to get to their jobs then come home to spend their money and pay taxes in Hamilton. Encouraging to work in Hamilton would take jobs from 35,000 that we have unemployed here. This will just provide jobs for the communities where these people work. I find this offensive as it is implying that the unemployed workforce in Hamilton is unskilled, uneducated and not worth of any jobs paying more than the minimum wage. This opinion of Hamilton will not encourage any company to invest in Hamilton unless they want to open a sweat shop
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  16. @Mark Allan Whittle @Elvis P - We know that there were 12,100 jobs created in Hamilton in 2008. But we don’t know whether or not the JPC had any direct influence in creating any of those jobs.

    @Patrick Matozzo – Thank you for your feedback. You’ve made some interesting points. I appreciate your thoughtful comments with respect to developing land in our existing core. We think that is an option that should be considered for all new industrial development. If it works, that’s great, because as you note, there is transit service in the downtown core already.

    In regards to your comment about Bill Strickland, I agree that Hamilton and Pittsburgh are very different. For that reason, we will continue to bring other people into Hamilton to talk to us to see if we can learn things from them. If, for example, the next person comes from Cleveland, I think it is likely true that we can say that Cleveland and Hamilton are also not exactly the same, but if we can learn something from the person from Cleveland and apply it in Hamilton in a successful way I think it’s a win for all of us.

    Tim Dobbie
    (posted upon request, on behalf of Tim Dobbie)
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  17. I wish to praise Mr. Dobbie for his courage in addressing our individual concerns/comments and thank him for contacting me off-the-record.

    Blessings
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  18. This topic really strikes a nerve, and gains a huge response...

    To Michelle:

    The problem with Workfare isn't that it is Workfare. It fails simply because it is yet another paternalistic and patronizing Government program that fails.

    If Workfare, if one is to use that term, should be a method my which people become empowered, a platform of which they can discover self-sufficiency. Thus, what should be encouraged is an atmosphere where such people can find some degree of training and job placement. A proper and thoughful program would be more like a co-op program, where people could seek to improve their ediucation, either by completing high school, or going to college, or getting into an apprenticeship. No one should be simply "on the dole", wasting their days stuffing greasy fast foods into their mouth, being drunk, taking drugs, abusing their kids - all acts that are far too common in the current state of affairs.

    Instead, we have a regime that basically treats the "down and out" as a burden, marginalizing them and subjecting them to onerous regulations that strip away any sense of humanity. Job placements are a joke in the current system, little more than slavery by other means, where people end up with sub-minimum wages working dangerous jobs with no actual rights. Individuals are stripped of any chance of moving forward, outside of the cycle of poverty.

    Such a system had been created not because of any want of helping people, but to curry the favour and votes of the elites.

    Do not think it is only limited to Workfare - for other programs devised by the Government, like the Second Career program, participated in the same grievous and cavalier attitudes, where they belittle those that want retraining, and where the "school" was little more than an adult kindergarten, where people that took it seriously were railroaded and treated like scum, while those that showed up drunk or stoned, and broke all of the rules, or simply lied to get in, got a free meal ticket.

    We have a broken system, borked in so many ways, that it simply can not be repaired, because it is all about some politician perverting themselves like a cheap whore collecting votes, while making sure what does exist maintains an ever growing underclass of the marginalized.
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  19. MIchelle HruschkaJan 8, 2010 11:16 AM
    Anonymus: Yes I agree that it is more than just workfare, it is second career, the LMR's and many other programs.

    People do want to move forward but it is very difficult to manage the system.

    I was at the Small Business Center one day a while back and young person was in the self employment program run by welfare. This young person was almost in tears because they had a one day training in bookkeeping, they did not understand how to do it. I felt so sorry for this person, I tried to explain it and gave out my business card, as that is my vocation. I have often thought about this person and wonder if they made it or not.

    Somebody is making money for very shoddy work and programs. It must be because the whole system is basically privatized and their is no accountability to what the tax payers are paying for. Layers and layers of BS, which do nothing to help people.

    There is another accounting program out there that targets those who are disabled. I called Mohawk College's Accounting program and told of my concerns, that this was completely inadequate and in my opinion would give false hope to those who are already vulnerable.

    Anyways, the big push now from OW, is volunteering, you know slave labour.
    ReplyDelete

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