You may be eating three meals a day, but many Canadians are not. Our “favourable economy” has not offered a solution to the continuously widening gap in pay equity, or provided relief from skyrocketing food, energy, and housing costs. Our public healthcare is under threat of stratification; our “unbiased education” is exorbitantly priced at the higher levels, resulting in lower-income students accumulating crippling debt; Canadians enjoy “freedom of speech” but the only ones listened to are those able to fund a lobby group. The Canadian economy will collapse completely if something doesn’t change. Our generation is so crippled by debt that we have no financial base. Most people’s savings have been exhausted (like mine when I was laid off and job hunting for months). The internal support structures that have made Canada the envy of the world are crumbling. What will happen when our parents retire? How will we, who are barely able to support ourselves, support them and any children? Not with any of the low-wage jobs that this “favourable” economy is creating for us. This rally is about solidarity, showing compassion for the situation of our neighbours. More than that, it’s about addressing the problems that can be seen COMING. Don’t be the grasshopper who sang all summer. Step up. —Look Past the End of Your Nose