Today I pass on the wooden spoon which acts as a baton in this Homelessness Hunger Strike Relay.

One week with little food is really nothing compared to having to sleep outside on cold winter nights or use all one's resources just to find a night's shelter. It is a symbolic gesture, but one that focused my attention on the circumstance that approximately 150,000 people in Canada face.

I know it is within our power as Canadians to provide adequate shelter for all our people. We can demand that our government take action - and why would we choose not to do it? Is there something more important than ensuring that the basic needs of people are met? Let's once again build a country we can be proud of, which acts on its principles and reflects the dignity of its people.