A long read, but it illustrates the journey from being part of the activist left to becoming a useful member of society. If there’s one thing I’m NOT afraid of, it’s being ‘cancelled’. If being cancelled means me living in integrity as a human being who thinks for themselves, CANCEL
Continue readingTag: open letter
The Progressive Economics Forum: Economists support $15 minimum wage in Ontario
We, the undersigned economists, support the decision to increase the minimum wage in Ontario to $15 an hour. Raising the wage floor makes good economic sense. Today, Ontario’s minimum wage is $11.40 per hour. Adjusted for inflation, this is barely one dollar higher than its value in 1977. Yet over
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: An Open Letter to our American Friends
Dear US citizens who want to move to Canada because of the election, Recently your country has elected Donald Trump to be your president for the next four years. This concerns a great deal of us up here in Canada (and conversely there are some up here that think it’s
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Harper’s Police State Anti-terrorism Bill C-51 “Dangerous”: 100+ Academics
More than 100 academics sign letter telling Canadian MPs that Harper’s proposed anti-terrorism legislation, Bill C-51, would allow CSIS to violate Canadians’ privacy rights. The post Harper’s Police State Anti-terrorism Bill C-51 “Dangerous”: 100+ Academics appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Ralph Nader: What’s Happening to Canada? Open letter to Stephen Harper
Ralph Nader tells Stephen Harper, “You talk like George W. Bush,” warns that the Conservatives’ anti-terror Bill C-51 would harm Canadian democracy. The post Ralph Nader: What’s Happening to Canada? Open letter to Stephen Harper appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: International Human Rights Day: 50 civil society groups urge Harper to oppose torture
On International Human Rights Day, 50 civil society organizations urge Harper government to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. The post International Human Rights Day: 50 civil society groups urge Harper to oppose torture appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: First Nations: NEB review of Kinder Morgan pipeline “fatally flawed”
In an open letter, 12 BC First Nations tell the Harper government the National Energy Board’s review of Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project is “fatally flawed and superficial.” The post First Nations: NEB review of Kinder Morgan pipeline “fatally flawed” appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Ferguson Protesters: “The Results Are In And We Still Don’t Have Justice”
Ferguson protesters respond to the grand jury’s decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. The post Ferguson Protesters: “The Results Are In And We Still Don’t Have Justice” appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: UBC Must Divest From Fossil Fuel Companies: Faculty Members
Open letter signed by 215 University of British Columbia faculty members asks university to divest from destructive fossil fuel companies within five years. The post UBC Must Divest From Fossil Fuel Companies: Faculty Members appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Gaza conflict: NDP urged to stop apologizing for war crimes, human rights abuses
Various concerned Canadian citizens and residents urge the NDP to stop apologizing for Israel’s alleged war crimes and breaches of human rights in the ongoing Gaza conflict. The post Gaza conflict: NDP urged to stop apologizing for war crimes, human rights abuses appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Gaza Massacres “Impossible To Justify”: Oscar Winner Javier Bardem
“It’s disgraceful that western countries are permitting such genocide,” Oscar-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem says of Israel’s ongoing massacres in Gaza. The post Gaza Massacres “Impossible To Justify”: Oscar Winner Javier Bardem appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Canadian party leaders’ “callous devaluation of Palestinian life” condemned
In open letter, 690 academics, community leaders decry the “callous devaluation of Palestinian life” by the Canadian government and federal party leaders, urge condemnation of the continuing violation of international law in Gaza. The post Canadian party leaders’ “callous devaluation of Palestinian life” condemned appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Ex-US president Jimmy Carter urges Obama to reject Keystone XL Pipeline
“History will reflect on this moment and it will be clear to our children and grandchildren if you made the right choice,” laureates remind President Obama as the world awaits his decision on the Keystone XL pipeline by: Obert Madondo | April 17, 2014 To show leadership on climate change and leave
Continue readingPample the Moose: Open Letter on the Fair Elections Act
Over the weekend, I was asked to sign an open letter regarding the proposed “Fair Elections Act”, a seriously-flawed piece of legislation with an Orwellian name. I was happy to sign it, particularly as the recipient of a diversionary robocall in Guelph on voting day of the last federal election.
Continue readingPample the Moose: Open Letter on the Fair Elections Act
Over the weekend, I was asked to sign an open letter regarding the proposed “Fair Elections Act”, a seriously-flawed piece of legislation with an Orwellian name. I was happy to sign it, particularly as the recipient of a diversionary robocall in Guelph on voting day of the last federal election. The open letter, signed by many Canadian professors, appeared in the National Post and Le Devoir today. I encourage you to read the letter, which outlines a number of key concerns.
The press release accompanying the letter reads as follows:
FAIR ELECTIONS ACT WOULD HARM CANADIAN DEMOCRACY, SAY EXPERTS
An open letter from democracy experts challenging key proposals in the Fair Elections Act (Bill C-23) was sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Members of Parliament today. The letter is signed by over 150 professors at Canadian universities who teach and conduct research on the principles and practices of constitutional democracies, including 15 past presidents of the Canadian Political Science Association. It appeared in the National Post on Tuesday, March 11. http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/03/11/dont-undermine-elections-canada/
The professors believe the Bill’s proposal to eliminate the vouching system and the use of voter information cards as ID in federal elections would decrease voter participation, especially among youth, senior citizens, and First Nations citizens. Elections Canada’s capacity to investigate electoral infractions and raise public awareness about the importance of voting would also be compromised. Also of concern are proposed reforms to campaign finance rules and expense reporting, which would allow political parties to dramatically increase their campaign coffers and spend more on political advertising. Giving money even greater influence on electoral outcomes undermines principles of political fairness and citizens’ equality, they say.
The letter’s authors are urging the Government to facilitate wider consultation on Bill C-23 at the committee level, allowing extensive testimony from both experts and ordinary Canadians.
MEDIA: for more information, contact Monique Deveaux 905-869-5599 mdeveaux@uoguelph.ca
Interviews:
Electoral law; voting rights; campaign finance:
Yasmin Dawood: Assistant Professor of Law, University of Toronto
Contact:yasmin.dawood@utoronto.ca Phone: 416-819-9462 (cell) 416-946-7829 (office)
Democratic institutions, constitutional reform, citizen engagement:
Maxwell A. Cameron: Professor of Political Science, University of British Columbia
Contact:Max.Cameron@ubc.caPhone: (011) 51-945-576-220 (cell) or by Skype: maxwellcameron
Democracy; political inequality:
Monique Deveaux: Professor of Philosophy and Canada Research Chair, University of Guelph
Contact: mdeveaux@uoguelph.caPhone: 905-869-5599
Democracy; citizen engagement; political representation:
Melissa Williams: Professor of Political Science, University of Toronto
Contact:melissa.williams@utoronto.caPhone: 416-978-8220 (office) 647-991-5838 (cell)
Influence of money on politics; public trust; citizen engagement:
Patti Tamara Lenard: Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Public & International Affairs, University of Ottawa Contact: Patti.Lenard@uottawa.caPhone: 613-796-6647 (cell)
French media interviews: Daniel Weinstock, Professor of Law, McGill University: 514-952-3763
La Loi sur l’intégrité des élections menacerait la démocratie canadienne selon des experts
Des professeurs experts en démocratie ont envoyé aujourd’hui une lettre ouverte contestant des propositions clés de la Loi sur l’intégrité des élections (projet de loi C-23) au premier ministre Stephen Harper ainsi qu’aux membres du parlement. La lettre est signée par plus de 150 professeurs d’universités canadiennes qui enseignent et conduisent des recherches sur les principes et les pratiques des démocraties constitutionnelles, incluant 15 présidents passés de l’Association canadienne de science politique.
Les professeurs croient que la proposition, contenue dans le projet de loi, visant à éliminer le système des répondants ainsi que l’utilisation de la carte d’information de l’électeur à titre de pièce d’identité pour voter lors des élections fédérales diminuerait la participation des électeurs, surtout parmi les jeunes, les aînés et les citoyens des Premières Nations. La capacité d’Élections Canada d’enquêter sur les infractions à la loi électorale et de promouvoir l’importance de voter serait également compromise. Une autre préoccupation des professeurs concerne les réformes proposées du processus de contrôle du financement des campagnes et des dépenses électorales. Ces réformes permettraient aux partis politiques d’augmenter de manière significative leur budget de campagne électorale et de dépenser davantage en publicité partisane. Selon les professeurs, donner à l’argent une influence encore plus grande sur les résultats des élections mine le principe d’égalité des chances électorales.
Les auteurs de la lettre demandent au gouvernement de rendre possible une consultation plus large sur le projet de loi C-23 au niveau du comité qui permettrait à la fois aux experts et aux citoyens de pouvoir témoigner et participer activement au processus consultatif.
CONTACT PRESSE: média francais:
Daniel Weinstock, Professeur, Faculté de droit, McGill: 514-952-3763/danielweins@gmail.com;
André Blais, CRC en études électorales, U de Montréal: 514-343-6111 x40564
Influence of money on politics; public trust; citizen engagement:
Patti Tamara Lenard: Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Public & International Affairs, University of Ottawa Contact: Patti.Lenard@uottawa.caPhone: 613-796-6647 (cell)
Electoral law; voting rights; campaign finance:
Yasmin Dawood: Assistant Professor of Law, University of Toronto
Contact:yasmin.dawood@utoronto.ca Phone: 416-819-9462 (cell) 416-946-7829 (office)
Democratic institutions, constitutional reform, citizen engagement:
Maxwell A. Cameron: Department of Political Science, University of British Columbia
Contact:Max.Cameron@ubc.caPhone: (011) 51-945-576-220 (cell)
or by Skype: maxwellcameron [Dr. Cameron is abroad but happy to field media calls]
Democracy and political inequality:
Monique Deveaux: Professor of Philosophy and Canada Research Chair, University of Guelph
Contact: mdeveaux@uoguelph.caPhone: 905-869-5599
Democracy; citizen engagement; political representation:
Melissa Williams: Professor of Political Science, University of Toronto
Contact:melissa.williams@utoronto.caPhone: 416-978-8220 (office) 647-991-5838 (cell)
Pample the Moose: Open Letter on the Fair Elections Act
Over the weekend, I was asked to sign an open letter regarding the proposed “Fair Elections Act”, a seriously-flawed piece of legislation with an Orwellian name. I was happy to sign it, particularly as the recipient of a diversionary robocall in Guelph on voting day of the last federal election.
Continue readingAlberta Diary: An open letter to Dave Hancock, Deputy Premier: Why you should quit … Now … Really!
Illegal organizations like this continue to operate in Alberta behind closed doors, despite the fact someone may yell … St**ke! … in violation of the Act to Protect Albertans from Inaccurate and Uninformative Bloggers. Actual members of collective bargaining organizations may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: Alberta deputy Premier
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Canadian government enemy lists: Voices-Voix open letter to PM Harper
In this open letter, Voices-Voix, a coalition of more than 200 civil society organizations across Canada, tells Harper that his government’s “enemy lists” violate freedoms guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The post Canadian government enemy lists: Voices-Voix open letter to PM Harper appeared first on The Canadian
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Groups demand that U.S. companies reject Canadian tar sands
by: Sierra Club Canada | Press Release: Corporate Climate Campaign led by Sierra Club and ForestEthics Gains Momentum San Francisco, CA, June 2, 2013 – Fifty-eight organizations, led by the Sierra Club and ForestEthics, released an open letter today demanding that companies take climate action. The letter calls on U.S. corporations with trucking
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: An Open Letter to Stephen Harper Regarding Senate Reform
Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper: I am writing today in response to reports that you will seek a Supreme Court reference on the constitutionality of your proposals for Senate reform. In a way, I can understand this. You would like clarity on a politically tricky issue, one that would otherwise
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