One year ago this week, a desperate, pregnant woman from Sudbury was in a Toronto courtroom to battle the government that judged her a criminal and a cheat.
She was attempting to have her welfare benefits restored.
Three months later, Kimberly Rogers, 40, was found dead in her West End apartment, where she was confined under house arrest after pleading guilty last April to collecting welfare while accepting student loans.
The Committee to Remember Kimberly Rogers announced this week a new campaign to join forces with community organizations across Ontario to reform social assistance policy.
The Justice With Dignity Campaign had supporters in five other Ontario communities plant white roses Tuesday to remember and honour Rogers.
?We chose this date (one-year anniversary) to carry on her struggle,? said Laurie McGauley, a founding member of the Committee to Remember Kimberly Rogers.
Convicted murderers and violent criminals released on parole can collect social assistance, but the Tory government?s policy of cutting benefits for life to those caught cheating welfare remains in effect, she said.
?There is no other crime in Ontario the carries this kind of penalty,? she said.
Supporters planted white roses in memory of Rogers and her struggle in Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Toronto, Ottawa and London, which indicates her cause and memory are not forgotten, said McGauley.
The Justice With Dignity Campaign is demanding a an overhaul of the social assistance system, increased shelter and basic needs allowances and restoration of the 22 per cent cuts the Tories implemented after being elected in 1995.
Those in Ontario collecting social assistance are being forced to survive far below the poverty line.
Janet Gasparini, executive director of Sudbury?s Social Planning Council, said what happened to Rogers caused outrage across Ontario and Canada and her memory and legacy can?t be forgotten.
