Share this: In the wake of the murder of George Floyd by the police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with 3 other police standing idly by without intervening, growing support for calls to defund the police have surged throughout the USA and Canada. But what does it mean to defund the police?
Continue readingTag: direct democracy
The Canadian Progressive: Canadian mining interests in Guatemala challenged by indigenous direct democracy
In Guatemala, indigenous Mayan communities’ participation in community consulta, or consultation, helps to engage the government, and push back against Canadian and multinational mining companies accused of human rights abuses. The post Canadian mining interests in Guatemala challenged by indigenous direct democracy appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: New column day
Here, discussing what elements of Saskatchewan’s referendum law look to have worked properly in Regina’s wastewater treatment plant referendum process – and where there’s some obvious room for improvement where future issues call for a vote among citizens. For further reading…– While I note in the column that the 10%
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On democratic exercises
The results are in from Regina’s wastewater treatment referendum. And unfortunately, the combined forces of the City and the corporate sector (with an assist from far too much of the city’s media) were able to carry the day. But there’s still plenty of reason to think we’re better off for
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Tavia Grant reports on the most recent world happiness report from the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. And David Doorey points out a rather striking similarity among the countries at the top of the list, while Dan Gardner highlights Stephen Harper’s longstanding
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: To the polls!
Needless to say, it’s great news (as well as a pleasant surprise) that Regina will get a referendum on a proposed P3 wastewater treatment plant. And kudos to Regina Water Watch and everybody connected to the petition campaign for making that happen. But of course, the most important step comes
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On double standards
Simon Enoch, Paul Dechene and Stephen Whitworth have already weighed in on the City of Regina’s choice to blow its nose on a petition that reflects citizen engagement in action. But I’m surprised nobody’s yet pointed out the vastly different treatment between two different aspects of the petition. As Dechene
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – The Globe and Mail weighs in on the Lac-Mégantic tragedy by pointing out that we should be far more concerned about public safety than technical defences and excuses. Saskboy notes that as soon as a corporation’s business choices lead to a massive public
Continue readingPop The Stack: Could the Liberal Party Become The Open Party?
Here’s a short survey from the Liberal Party on foreign ownership rules for natural resources. There are two interesting things about this. First, foreign ownership of our natural resources, especially by state corporations of other nations, is an important issue Canadians need to talk about more. I’m not especially knowledgable
Continue readingPop The Stack: Could the Liberal Party Become The Open Party?
Here’s a short survey from the Liberal Party on foreign ownership rules for natural resources. There are two interesting things about this. First, foreign ownership of our natural resources, especially by state corporations of other nations, is an important issue Canadians need to talk about more. I’m not especially knowledgable
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: North Cowichan Budgeting Should Be Participatory
Rob Douglas is a Cowichan Valley activist very instrumental in organizing a series of meetings regarding Cooperatives in the Valley. Here is his latest column written for the Cowichan News Leader and reproduced here with his permission. Participatory Democracy has been practiced in many areas throughout the world and was
Continue readingCanadian Progressive World: What We Missed: OWS Declaration of the Occupation of New York City
This document was accepted by the NYC General Assembly on September 29, 2011, with minor updates made on October 1, 2011. It is the first official, collective statement of the protesters in Zuccotti Park. As we gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice, we must not
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Referendums: The Perils and the Possibilities
Direct democracy is to representative democracy what extra-virgin olive oil is to refined olive oil. The latter is more cost effective and, perhaps according to some, just as good. But to the connoisseur, there is no substitute for the real stuff. In the fourth article of his ongoing series on
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: A CLASSE act for Quebec’s next provincial election
Should an election be called, the more militant group of the Quebec student protest movement will mobilze students against ideology and neo-liberal politics. That’s according to CLASSE’s new manifesto, recently launched by Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois (pictured), the organization’s spokesman. The manifesto focuses on four core themes: democracy, feminism, social justice and
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your Monday reading. – Damian Carrington reports on the Harper Cons’ sad efforts to prevent the European Union from accurately accounting for greenhouse gas emissions from the tar sands, offering in particular a look at how Canada’s actions look to our global neighbours who don’t operate from
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