Group protested weekly for two decades
VANCOUVER—A group of sisters who have ended a 20-year vigil for social justice hoped their concerns would stay in the spotlight during the federal election campaign.
The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul have stood outside city hall in Kingston every Friday since Ontario Premier Mike Harris cut social assistance by 21.6 per cent in 1995.
"There was a deficit at the time, and the premier was putting it on the backs of the poor," explained Sister Pauline Lally, SP.
The sisters kept silent and let their signs proclaim the causes they were fighting for: first, social assistance rates, then also just wages, housing, ending poverty, and taking care of the environment.
Sister Lally said the number of vigil keepers fluctuated from as few as two on a particularly cold Ontario day to as many as 500 during a teachers' strike.
"The cuts didn't go away, so we didn't go away."
In recent years, though, the number of sisters with enough time and energy to keep the vigil going dwindled until Sister Lally was the only one left.
"It was not an easy decision," she said. They held a closing rally Sept. 17 and their final Friday afternoon protest at city hall Sept. 18.
The sisters timed to end the vigil few weeks before voting day to bring attention to the issues they'd stood for in the sun, rain, and cold for 20 years. "We thought it was important that we put poverty out there just before the elections."
Tara Kainer remembers the days after the premier cut social assistance rates. "There were lots of angry people in Ontario."
Kainer, who works in the sisters' Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation office, said protests ensued, including one outside a golf club that turned into a mini-riot when protesters climbed onto the roof to smash skylights and set fires.
That's not how the peace-loving sisters wanted to do things.
"The sisters were very concerned. They didn't want to be in a position like that again," so they started a silent protest.
"They would make signs like 'poverty never takes a holiday,' 'no greed,' or 'turn the tables on hunger.'"
Pamphlets they handed out to passing tourists, neighbours, and politicians explained their reasons for standing there at the same time every week.
Sister Lally added vigil-keepers also took their signs to other public events and spoke at city council and in parliamentary meetings.
When they ended the vigil, they did so with one caveat: "to continue to work on the issues that we stood for at the vigil."
That's what the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation office is all about. Kainer said the sisters are also still active in campaigns to raise social assistance rates, raise the minimum wage, and support food security projects.
"The sisters have an amazing commitment to social justice," said Joe Gunn, the executive director of Citizens for Public Justice. He gave a speech at the vigil's end.
He once saw the sisters sew enough bed sheets together to circle the block around city hall to promote Make Poverty History. They are also involved in interfaith social justice efforts and, Gunn said, inspired an Anglican bishop to host a silent vigil on the steps of his cathedral.
Did the vigil make a difference? "It's like asking the question: does prayer make a difference?" Gunn said.
"It was sincere. It was pointing out injustices over the years. We need to be on record as a faith community by being there."
Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson publicly recognized the sisters' efforts by proclaiming Sept. 17 Social Justice Vigil Recognition Day.
"I urge all residents of Kingston to join the Sisters of Providence in observance of the special silent vigil that will mark the end of this historic 20-year effort to bring fairness to our community and our country."