Monday, October 23, 2006
We need Leaders!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6067960.stm
Where have all the leaders gone?
Dr Matt Prescott
VIEWPOINT
Matt Prescott
Consumer choice is not going to deliver the goods to combat climate change, argues Dr Matt Prescott. In this week's Green Room, he says the world needs strong political leadership, not just market forces, because there is no sale-or-return guarantee for the planet.
A whole generation survived without the luxury of choice
During World War II, a large share of humanity stared into the abyss.
In the unforgiving conditions, traumatised by their collective experience, almost everyone wanted to build a better, safer and fairer world.
They accepted this meant sharing some of their wealth and freedoms with others for the common good.
Public hospitals and schools were built, living standards were deliberately raised and ancient class divisions were broken down.
Later, as the developed world came to feel more comfortable and less vulnerable, many started to begrudge the spending of their money on such intangible, long-term benefits; the post-war contract between citizens and their states started to break down.
Why should consumer choice be treated as sacrosanct?
By the 1980s, politicians such as Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan had even started to suggest that there was "no such thing as society". Investors could single-handedly make the world a better place and any constraint on trade, such as a nasty old law, was quickly labelled as a burdensome hindrance.
The rhetoric proved to be hugely successful electorally in many countries; and while Reagan and Thatcher once stood at the fringes of political thought, their view of personal and consumer choice as an article of faith has become mainstream.
Even financial disasters such as Enron, the looming pensions "time-bomb", and Hurricane Katrina do not seem to have fundamentally shaken the widespread belief that the market will one day, somehow, mystically solve our problems.
Buyer beware
But why should consumer choice be sacrosanct?
Are consumers best placed to make informed choices? Are there not situations where a bit of straightforward regulation might be more effective?
Information alone does not always produce the informed choice
It was as far back as 1951 that Sir Richard Doll first showed the link between smoking and lung cancer; yet consumers still choose to buy cigarettes.
Clearly, having a good evidence base is not enough on its own to produce sensible decisions.
In the case of climate change, our scientific understanding is increasingly robust, and it is becoming inevitable that we will have to reduce our carbon emissions drastically.
But we simply do not like the implications; we have become emotionally attached to our fossil fuel lifestyles and status symbols.
False economy
Governments and businesses, of course, need to remain popular. For businesses this means selling as cheaply as possible; for governments, giving us jam today as well as promising it tomorrow.
So who will take responsibility for unleashing the potential solutions to global climate change?
In the view of many, leadership from our elected representatives is essential.
This is especially true when it comes to changing the rules under which individuals and businesses compete, and making the hard choices for the long-term good of society.
Shoppers make choices based on price not environmental profile
By contrast, maintaining a business-as-usual approach merely encourages consumers to continue buying cheap, inefficient, technologies.
Another insidious side effect of governments not giving leadership is that businesses fear being undercut and losing market share, should they ever incur discretionary yet responsible costs which are being avoided by their competitors.
Undoubtedly, breaking this paralysis will require immense moral courage. For courage, leaders of today need only to look back in time a little and see what their predecessors did.
For example, the hard-won ban against slavery deliberately went against what was considered economically justified.
Prior to this ban, people had been free to own slaves for hundreds of years, and many could see nothing wrong with continuing to do so.
Now it will never be reversed, and the world economy has adjusted to operating in ways which do not require the exploitation associated with slavery.
Similarly, markets now need to be forced to address, and to assimilate, the environmental and social costs associated with climate change, and to move on to a higher playing field.
Act now or pay later
Today's competitive pressures and short-term profits simply should not be allowed to justify emissions standards and carbon prices being kept permanently low, at untold long-term cost.
Insurance firm AXA has recently estimated that, without action, climate change could be costing the UK economy in excess of £42bn per year by 2080.
If we started now, spreading the costs and inconvenience over the coming decades, preventing catastrophic climate change could be relatively affordable.
Alternatively, if we continued to delay action or suddenly decided to do everything we could in a panic, the costs and disruption could be enormous.
Crucial technologies or economic activities that are dependent on fossil fuels might be impossible to replace at short notice, and this could be disastrous for our entire civilisation.
It will not be easy, but we must learn to accept that consumer choice cannot be expected to solve complex, large-scale problems. Governments have to step up to the plate and to step in with legislation when it is needed; giving all the responsibility to markets and consumers is not good enough.
Actor Jennifer Saunder's fictional comic fashion guru and arch-consumer, Edina Monsoon, once wisely said, "I don't want more things, I want better things", and she was right.
We must find the courage to remove the worst products from the market, to build environmental costs into prices, and give the low-carbon alternatives a half-decent chance of getting established.
Consumers will then take care of the rest.
Dr Matt Prescott is an environmental consultant and director of banthebulb.org, an online campaign encouraging greater energy efficiency
The Green Room is a series of opinion articles on environmental topics running weekly on the BBC News website
Where have all the leaders gone?
Dr Matt Prescott
VIEWPOINT
Matt Prescott
Consumer choice is not going to deliver the goods to combat climate change, argues Dr Matt Prescott. In this week's Green Room, he says the world needs strong political leadership, not just market forces, because there is no sale-or-return guarantee for the planet.
A whole generation survived without the luxury of choice
During World War II, a large share of humanity stared into the abyss.
In the unforgiving conditions, traumatised by their collective experience, almost everyone wanted to build a better, safer and fairer world.
They accepted this meant sharing some of their wealth and freedoms with others for the common good.
Public hospitals and schools were built, living standards were deliberately raised and ancient class divisions were broken down.
Later, as the developed world came to feel more comfortable and less vulnerable, many started to begrudge the spending of their money on such intangible, long-term benefits; the post-war contract between citizens and their states started to break down.
Why should consumer choice be treated as sacrosanct?
By the 1980s, politicians such as Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan had even started to suggest that there was "no such thing as society". Investors could single-handedly make the world a better place and any constraint on trade, such as a nasty old law, was quickly labelled as a burdensome hindrance.
The rhetoric proved to be hugely successful electorally in many countries; and while Reagan and Thatcher once stood at the fringes of political thought, their view of personal and consumer choice as an article of faith has become mainstream.
Even financial disasters such as Enron, the looming pensions "time-bomb", and Hurricane Katrina do not seem to have fundamentally shaken the widespread belief that the market will one day, somehow, mystically solve our problems.
Buyer beware
But why should consumer choice be sacrosanct?
Are consumers best placed to make informed choices? Are there not situations where a bit of straightforward regulation might be more effective?
Information alone does not always produce the informed choice
It was as far back as 1951 that Sir Richard Doll first showed the link between smoking and lung cancer; yet consumers still choose to buy cigarettes.
Clearly, having a good evidence base is not enough on its own to produce sensible decisions.
In the case of climate change, our scientific understanding is increasingly robust, and it is becoming inevitable that we will have to reduce our carbon emissions drastically.
But we simply do not like the implications; we have become emotionally attached to our fossil fuel lifestyles and status symbols.
False economy
Governments and businesses, of course, need to remain popular. For businesses this means selling as cheaply as possible; for governments, giving us jam today as well as promising it tomorrow.
So who will take responsibility for unleashing the potential solutions to global climate change?
In the view of many, leadership from our elected representatives is essential.
This is especially true when it comes to changing the rules under which individuals and businesses compete, and making the hard choices for the long-term good of society.
Shoppers make choices based on price not environmental profile
By contrast, maintaining a business-as-usual approach merely encourages consumers to continue buying cheap, inefficient, technologies.
Another insidious side effect of governments not giving leadership is that businesses fear being undercut and losing market share, should they ever incur discretionary yet responsible costs which are being avoided by their competitors.
Undoubtedly, breaking this paralysis will require immense moral courage. For courage, leaders of today need only to look back in time a little and see what their predecessors did.
For example, the hard-won ban against slavery deliberately went against what was considered economically justified.
Prior to this ban, people had been free to own slaves for hundreds of years, and many could see nothing wrong with continuing to do so.
Now it will never be reversed, and the world economy has adjusted to operating in ways which do not require the exploitation associated with slavery.
Similarly, markets now need to be forced to address, and to assimilate, the environmental and social costs associated with climate change, and to move on to a higher playing field.
Act now or pay later
Today's competitive pressures and short-term profits simply should not be allowed to justify emissions standards and carbon prices being kept permanently low, at untold long-term cost.
Insurance firm AXA has recently estimated that, without action, climate change could be costing the UK economy in excess of £42bn per year by 2080.
If we started now, spreading the costs and inconvenience over the coming decades, preventing catastrophic climate change could be relatively affordable.
Alternatively, if we continued to delay action or suddenly decided to do everything we could in a panic, the costs and disruption could be enormous.
Crucial technologies or economic activities that are dependent on fossil fuels might be impossible to replace at short notice, and this could be disastrous for our entire civilisation.
It will not be easy, but we must learn to accept that consumer choice cannot be expected to solve complex, large-scale problems. Governments have to step up to the plate and to step in with legislation when it is needed; giving all the responsibility to markets and consumers is not good enough.
Actor Jennifer Saunder's fictional comic fashion guru and arch-consumer, Edina Monsoon, once wisely said, "I don't want more things, I want better things", and she was right.
We must find the courage to remove the worst products from the market, to build environmental costs into prices, and give the low-carbon alternatives a half-decent chance of getting established.
Consumers will then take care of the rest.
Dr Matt Prescott is an environmental consultant and director of banthebulb.org, an online campaign encouraging greater energy efficiency
The Green Room is a series of opinion articles on environmental topics running weekly on the BBC News website
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Copy of a recent e-mail send to CFRA from CMM-NDP Secretary Paul Arbour
Steve,
I am e-mailing you today to express my sadness and regrets for the families of those who have fallen in the service of our country. I knew Corporal Glen Arnold, and I know his family. It is a strange feeling to hear the name of someone you know being read on the radio and television in these circumstances. I knew Glenn as a boy and a young man. I attended school with him and his sister. I knew his parents fairly well; they are friends of my family. Although saddened there is a great sense of pride that someone from my small town has made such a great contribution to the freedoms and safety of Canadians, that he will forever be remembered as a caring and loving husband and father.
People must understand, I am a strong supporter of our troops, and am very proud of everything they are doing, but I am also on side with my friends in the NDP in requesting that the government re-evaluate what we are doing in overseas combat, and do their best to bring those men and women back home.
Paul A. Arbour
I am e-mailing you today to express my sadness and regrets for the families of those who have fallen in the service of our country. I knew Corporal Glen Arnold, and I know his family. It is a strange feeling to hear the name of someone you know being read on the radio and television in these circumstances. I knew Glenn as a boy and a young man. I attended school with him and his sister. I knew his parents fairly well; they are friends of my family. Although saddened there is a great sense of pride that someone from my small town has made such a great contribution to the freedoms and safety of Canadians, that he will forever be remembered as a caring and loving husband and father.
People must understand, I am a strong supporter of our troops, and am very proud of everything they are doing, but I am also on side with my friends in the NDP in requesting that the government re-evaluate what we are doing in overseas combat, and do their best to bring those men and women back home.
Paul A. Arbour
Friday, September 01, 2006
Jack Layton calls for immediate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan
Canada's mission to Afghanistan is once again the lead story in this week's news cycle and once again, NDP Jack Layton is leading the charge to immediately end this U.S. led counter insurgency mission. Whether or not you think that Mr. Layton's plan to end the mission in six months is feasible (Canadian soliders are deeply entrenched in the mission), one has to wonder about the true nature of the mission.
The Conservatives claim we are in Afghanistan to protect the rights of women and children from the Taliban and leaving now would open the door for the repressive regime to regain control. Who can argue with that? If human rights is the reason we are in Afghanistan they why don't we have a strong presence in Darfur or Iraq for that matter?
During the 2005-06 election campaign, now Defense Minister Gordon O'Connor stated "25 Canadians were killed in the World Trade Centre, and we are in Afghanistan to find and fight the terrorists who murdered Canadians". No mention of human rights, that reason came later when the combat mission became less popular.
Jack Layton does not suggest that we abandon Afghanistan, "but that Canada's role include humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and a comprehensive peace process - not a George Bush-style counter-insurgency war" And before all you neo-Cons get your knickers in a knot and suggest that the NDP suggests that terrorists should be allowed to get away with whatever they want read on:
"Naturally, we must continue to work multilaterally to get tough on terrorism. But, we also understand that making the world a safer place requires us to go much further. Issues like international development assistance to combat global poverty, reforming international institutions, peace building and securing human rights are all part of the solution.
So is the strategic use of our highly-skilled and well-respected Canadian armed forces. Canada has a long history of stepping into the breach when called upon by our international allies. Unfortunately, the number of conflicts around the world today, including deepening tensions in the Middle East, mean that we must carefully choose where we can make the greatest difference.
New Democrats understand the need to send troops into combat and the risks involved. We support and have supported appropriate missions. Our duty is to ensure that Canada participates in missions where the objectives and mandate are clear and where there are clear criteria for success.
I hope that clears things up.
Before I sign off, I have one more point to make, I'm sure the morale of the hardworking men and women of Canada's armed forces stationed in Afghanistan was bolstered by their visit from Gordon O'Connor. And I must admit khakis are a good look for Mr. O'Connor. I have just one question: Mr. O'Connor, in the last eight months you have visited Afghanistan twice, and bought a lot of neat toys for the military, but what have you done for Carleton-Mississippi Mills? We are still waiting for a federal government department to move its offices here (as you promised).
Have a happy and safe Labour Day weekend (don't forget our bbq at Fitzroy Harbour Provincial Park),
Tasha
The Conservatives claim we are in Afghanistan to protect the rights of women and children from the Taliban and leaving now would open the door for the repressive regime to regain control. Who can argue with that? If human rights is the reason we are in Afghanistan they why don't we have a strong presence in Darfur or Iraq for that matter?
During the 2005-06 election campaign, now Defense Minister Gordon O'Connor stated "25 Canadians were killed in the World Trade Centre, and we are in Afghanistan to find and fight the terrorists who murdered Canadians". No mention of human rights, that reason came later when the combat mission became less popular.
Jack Layton does not suggest that we abandon Afghanistan, "but that Canada's role include humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and a comprehensive peace process - not a George Bush-style counter-insurgency war" And before all you neo-Cons get your knickers in a knot and suggest that the NDP suggests that terrorists should be allowed to get away with whatever they want read on:
"Naturally, we must continue to work multilaterally to get tough on terrorism. But, we also understand that making the world a safer place requires us to go much further. Issues like international development assistance to combat global poverty, reforming international institutions, peace building and securing human rights are all part of the solution.
So is the strategic use of our highly-skilled and well-respected Canadian armed forces. Canada has a long history of stepping into the breach when called upon by our international allies. Unfortunately, the number of conflicts around the world today, including deepening tensions in the Middle East, mean that we must carefully choose where we can make the greatest difference.
New Democrats understand the need to send troops into combat and the risks involved. We support and have supported appropriate missions. Our duty is to ensure that Canada participates in missions where the objectives and mandate are clear and where there are clear criteria for success.
I hope that clears things up.
Before I sign off, I have one more point to make, I'm sure the morale of the hardworking men and women of Canada's armed forces stationed in Afghanistan was bolstered by their visit from Gordon O'Connor. And I must admit khakis are a good look for Mr. O'Connor. I have just one question: Mr. O'Connor, in the last eight months you have visited Afghanistan twice, and bought a lot of neat toys for the military, but what have you done for Carleton-Mississippi Mills? We are still waiting for a federal government department to move its offices here (as you promised).
Have a happy and safe Labour Day weekend (don't forget our bbq at Fitzroy Harbour Provincial Park),
Tasha
Friday, August 25, 2006
NDP calls on government to send peacekeepers and emergency aid
NDP MP Peggy Nash (Parkdale High Park) has returned from the Parliamentary fact-finding mission to the Middle East.
While in the region, Nash and the delegation met with the senior foreign affairs officials and elected opposition leaders of Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. She also met with the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Fouad Siniora, toured devastated areas in South Lebanon and southern Beirut and the town of Aytaroun; where 8 members of the Canadian al-Akhras family were killed in a bombing.
“Canada can not back away from our commitments and our responsibility to peacekeeping. If all parties in the region agree to take Canadian blue berets, Canada should be ready to commit them,” said Nash. “Canada created peacekeeping to solve a crisis in the Middle East, we should be continuing our legacy of peace and rebuilding.”
The NDP has obtained internal documents from National Defence that show Canada's Armed Forces has the capacity and is ready for deployment. The document, part of the incoming government's transition book, clearly informs the Minister that he has 1200 soldiers available for foreign deployment.
Nash was also critical of the meagre funds committed by the Harper government in emergency aid.
“Canada has not done enough yet,” says Nash. “We must be committed to doing everything in our means to help the people of this war-torn region. The devastation and despair I saw was overwhelming. The people of South Lebanon are in urgent need of Canadian aid money, and the 30 million committed by the Harper government so far is not enough.”
Nash issued a call for an additional emergency aid to be immediately dispatched to the region.
“I have been able to assess the situation on the ground and will provide information that will guide the NDP caucus in making decisions and policy regarding the Middle East,” said Nash. "The need for an increase in emergency aid to the South of Lebanon is clear. The NDP is calling on the government to increase contributions and immediately release the funds to NGO's working in the region.”
Nash intends to submit a report to the NDP National Caucus at their retreat in Montreal in early September. Nash’s portion of the mission was paid for by the New Democratic Party of Canada, not taxpayers. The NDP intends to take a similar trip to Israel.
While in the region, Nash and the delegation met with the senior foreign affairs officials and elected opposition leaders of Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. She also met with the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Fouad Siniora, toured devastated areas in South Lebanon and southern Beirut and the town of Aytaroun; where 8 members of the Canadian al-Akhras family were killed in a bombing.
“Canada can not back away from our commitments and our responsibility to peacekeeping. If all parties in the region agree to take Canadian blue berets, Canada should be ready to commit them,” said Nash. “Canada created peacekeeping to solve a crisis in the Middle East, we should be continuing our legacy of peace and rebuilding.”
The NDP has obtained internal documents from National Defence that show Canada's Armed Forces has the capacity and is ready for deployment. The document, part of the incoming government's transition book, clearly informs the Minister that he has 1200 soldiers available for foreign deployment.
Nash was also critical of the meagre funds committed by the Harper government in emergency aid.
“Canada has not done enough yet,” says Nash. “We must be committed to doing everything in our means to help the people of this war-torn region. The devastation and despair I saw was overwhelming. The people of South Lebanon are in urgent need of Canadian aid money, and the 30 million committed by the Harper government so far is not enough.”
Nash issued a call for an additional emergency aid to be immediately dispatched to the region.
“I have been able to assess the situation on the ground and will provide information that will guide the NDP caucus in making decisions and policy regarding the Middle East,” said Nash. "The need for an increase in emergency aid to the South of Lebanon is clear. The NDP is calling on the government to increase contributions and immediately release the funds to NGO's working in the region.”
Nash intends to submit a report to the NDP National Caucus at their retreat in Montreal in early September. Nash’s portion of the mission was paid for by the New Democratic Party of Canada, not taxpayers. The NDP intends to take a similar trip to Israel.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Have Fun and Get the CMM NDP Out of Debt!
The Carleton-Mississippi Mills New Democratic Party Federal Riding Association
Invites You and Your Family and Friends to theLabour Day Fund Raising Picnic!
at the Maples Picnic GroundFitzroy Provincial Park(Access from Cannon Smith Drive, Fitzroy Harbour) September 4, 2006 12 Noon to 6:00 PM.
Bring your VISA card or chequebook because we are serious about retiring the debt from the 2006 federal election!
Activities include:- Food for thought - the NDP’s Environmental Platform – a short intro to one of Canada’s best kept secrets by CMM Riding Association President, Tasha Bridgen.
You may not have read about it in your newspaper or heard about it on your television, but the NDP does have a comprehensive and well thought out platform on the Environment!
Nature walk led by local botanist and edible wilds specialist, Martha Webber!
Story telling by our own master storyteller, Donna Stewart!
Return of the CMM NDP’s Goods and Services Auction – it’s loud, it’s crazy, and money does change hands – a great opportunity ring up those federal tax credits!
Volleyball for the physically agile!- Cribbage for those of us who can still count up to fifteen!- Swimming beach nearby!- Continuous BBQ from 12:30 to 5:30 with NDP-retire-the-debt burgers, hot dogs and soft drinks for sale!- Potluck for other food!
Entry fee for the provincial park is $10 per vehicle, so pack your car with people and join the CMM NDP for Labour Day at Fitzroy Provincial Park!RSVP to Joann Latremouille,maeve@magma.ca
(Folks, we need to know how much beef to order from the Fitzroy Beef Farmers.)
If you need a ride or want passengers to share the entry fee, send an e-mail.
To keep our insurance costs low, this is an alcohol free event.
Invites You and Your Family and Friends to theLabour Day Fund Raising Picnic!
at the Maples Picnic GroundFitzroy Provincial Park(Access from Cannon Smith Drive, Fitzroy Harbour) September 4, 2006 12 Noon to 6:00 PM.
Bring your VISA card or chequebook because we are serious about retiring the debt from the 2006 federal election!
Activities include:- Food for thought - the NDP’s Environmental Platform – a short intro to one of Canada’s best kept secrets by CMM Riding Association President, Tasha Bridgen.
You may not have read about it in your newspaper or heard about it on your television, but the NDP does have a comprehensive and well thought out platform on the Environment!
Nature walk led by local botanist and edible wilds specialist, Martha Webber!
Story telling by our own master storyteller, Donna Stewart!
Return of the CMM NDP’s Goods and Services Auction – it’s loud, it’s crazy, and money does change hands – a great opportunity ring up those federal tax credits!
Volleyball for the physically agile!- Cribbage for those of us who can still count up to fifteen!- Swimming beach nearby!- Continuous BBQ from 12:30 to 5:30 with NDP-retire-the-debt burgers, hot dogs and soft drinks for sale!- Potluck for other food!
Entry fee for the provincial park is $10 per vehicle, so pack your car with people and join the CMM NDP for Labour Day at Fitzroy Provincial Park!RSVP to Joann Latremouille,maeve@magma.ca
(Folks, we need to know how much beef to order from the Fitzroy Beef Farmers.)
If you need a ride or want passengers to share the entry fee, send an e-mail.
To keep our insurance costs low, this is an alcohol free event.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
McGuinty's Nuclear Letdown
I know this is the Federal CMM-NDP blog; but, the nuclear power issue demands our attention (and I'm the President of the newly merged Federal and Provincial Carleton-Mississippi Mills NDP).
As many of you know, the McGuinty government has been filling Ontarian's heads with a whole lot of hot air about nuclear power. The Liberals are telling us that Ontario needs more nuclear power plants to provide us with our increasing energy needs; and are trying to convince us that nuclear power is "safe". According to the David Suzuki Foundation, Ontario Power Authority has been allowed to go ahead with its nuclear power plan without requiring the approval of the province's Environmental Assessment Act. The price tag for building a new nuclear power plant is in the billions, nuclear power plants produce nasty toxic waste, are not always reliable and inevitably have cost overruns.
Provincial New Democrats are vigourously fighting this move (of course) and you can get involved as well.
You can sign the petition at:
http://www.ontariondp.com/nuclear/petition.php
and sign the letter at:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/action_ontario.asp
or you can committ to renewable energy and buy your power from Bullfrog:
http://www.bullfrogpower.com/
There is nothing clear about nuclear.
Tasha Bridgen
As many of you know, the McGuinty government has been filling Ontarian's heads with a whole lot of hot air about nuclear power. The Liberals are telling us that Ontario needs more nuclear power plants to provide us with our increasing energy needs; and are trying to convince us that nuclear power is "safe". According to the David Suzuki Foundation, Ontario Power Authority has been allowed to go ahead with its nuclear power plan without requiring the approval of the province's Environmental Assessment Act. The price tag for building a new nuclear power plant is in the billions, nuclear power plants produce nasty toxic waste, are not always reliable and inevitably have cost overruns.
Provincial New Democrats are vigourously fighting this move (of course) and you can get involved as well.
You can sign the petition at:
http://www.ontariondp.com/nuclear/petition.php
and sign the letter at:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/action_ontario.asp
or you can committ to renewable energy and buy your power from Bullfrog:
http://www.bullfrogpower.com/
There is nothing clear about nuclear.
Tasha Bridgen
Friday, June 30, 2006
NDP: A Greener Party
While Canada's Environment Minister muddles her way out of our international committments (Kyoto Protocol); the NDP has unveiled its five point green strategy to little fanfare and complete media silence. I will highlight the five points and I suggest if you want more detail visit www.ndp.ca: 1. Greener Homes--includes reinstating energuide; making amendments to the building code to legislate lower energy use in homes, 2. Greener Communities---includes retrofitting community buildings through tax incentives and loans, 3. Greener Transportation--includes investing in the production of "green" cars, 4. Greener Industry---includes helping larger industies to become sustainable, 5. Greener Canada and World--includes manufacturing wind turbines and solar panels in Canada and provide Canada's green energy production to developing countries.
I've offered just a taste of what the NDP green strategy offers. Read the full policy at www.ndp.ca and educate yourself. Don't bury your head in the sand and believe what the prevailing governments of North America are selling. Climate change is a reality and its not too late to do something about it.
Happy Canada Day!
Tasha Bridgen
President Carleton Mississippi Mills NDP
I've offered just a taste of what the NDP green strategy offers. Read the full policy at www.ndp.ca and educate yourself. Don't bury your head in the sand and believe what the prevailing governments of North America are selling. Climate change is a reality and its not too late to do something about it.
Happy Canada Day!
Tasha Bridgen
President Carleton Mississippi Mills NDP
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
A bit of a snafu....
Due to a miscommunication, the Carleton-Mississippi Mills NDP Federal Riding Association obtained consent for the participation of the Kanata Food Cupboard in the "Feed the Mind / Feed the Body Sale" from an individual not authorized by the Kanata Food Cupboard Board of Directors. The Kanata Food Cupboard is a non-partisan charity which does not accept contributions from any political party, or proceeds from their fund-raising events. The Riding Association encourages those who wish to support the Kanata Food Cupboard to do so directly.
The Carleton Mississippi Mills NDP Riding Association regrets this miscommunication yet remains morally and ethically bound to honour its commitment to donate 15% of its fundraising activities back to the community. This commitment will be honoured with a donation to be made to an appropriate community organization at a future date.
The Carleton Mississippi Mills NDP Riding Association regrets this miscommunication yet remains morally and ethically bound to honour its commitment to donate 15% of its fundraising activities back to the community. This commitment will be honoured with a donation to be made to an appropriate community organization at a future date.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Exciting Times Ahead for CMM-NDP
Hello everyone,
We have been busy planning our upcoming Annual General Meeting. It’s hard to believe that a whole year has past since our last AGM. Since then we’ve had a nomination meeting and an election that has seen our local numbers increase.
The upcoming AGM (June 15th, 7:00pm Rooms C&D at the Mlacak Centre) is extremely important. We will be founding a new provincial riding association, electing a new executive, adopting a new constitution and selecting delegates for the upcoming convention in Quebec City. As of today we have about 10 people interested in attending. We are entitled to two delegates plus a youth delegate. Rather than limit our numbers to only three, we have decided to approve as many delegates as want to go. We will then try to get credentials from other Riding Associations who are not using all their allotted delegates. So, if you’re interested in attending the convention, you’ll need to put your name forward at the AGM on June 15th. The convention in Quebec City is the first NDP policy convention in a long time. It will be critical to building momentum to the next election. To help get us there, VIA Rail is offering a 40% discount on all fares to Montreal. From Montreal, the NDP has chartered a train which can be boarded free of charge for the remainder of the journey to Quebec City. Check out this link for details on accommodations and travel, as well as information about the featured speakers, Stephen Lewis and Shirley Douglas: http://www.ndp.ca/convention .. The early bird register fee is un/der/waged: $50.00 Regular Adult: $95.00. We will be inviting our Riding members to support our delegate of limited financial means with an ‘adopt a delegate’ contribution; more details at the AGM.
Our guest speaker for the AGM is. . .YOU. Well, read that as the royal you. It has been four years since Rick Prashaw challenged CMM to think like a movement. In the last election Tasha Bridgen led us to a historic high. Compared to other NDP riding results, we finished 111th out of 308 Ridings. The time has come to take stock of where we’ve been and to set our sights one what lies ahead.
To that end, instead of a guest speaker, we are inviting the CMM membership and those who are interested to a facilitated round table discussion. The format is simple, we will break into small groups of 8-10 participants. The table groups will be themed as follows:
1. Reclaiming Canada’s Place in the World
2. Building an Inclusive Canada
3. Investing in Each Other
4. Standing Up for Working Families
5. Building the 21st Century Economy
6. NDP: Building the Party on the Move
Each group will be invited to reflect on the following questions within the context of their table groups theme:
What do you like about our community?What do you dislike about our community?What worries you about our community?What makes our community special?What can be done to solve some of the problems in our community?
From this process we will be able, as a group, to identify our Riding Associations priorities and develop resolutions that we will send to Quebec City. The success of this process is dependant on you. While votes are important, ideas win, and its you - your ideas, your concerns, your solutions that we need, so, consider this a challenge, come to the meeting and continue the momentum of the last four years. Whether your membership is current or not, we need you to put your ideas forward. If you think we missed something in our election preparation, then this is your chance to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
See you on June 15th
Chris Duncanson-Hales
President, CMM-NDP Riding Association
We have been busy planning our upcoming Annual General Meeting. It’s hard to believe that a whole year has past since our last AGM. Since then we’ve had a nomination meeting and an election that has seen our local numbers increase.
The upcoming AGM (June 15th, 7:00pm Rooms C&D at the Mlacak Centre) is extremely important. We will be founding a new provincial riding association, electing a new executive, adopting a new constitution and selecting delegates for the upcoming convention in Quebec City. As of today we have about 10 people interested in attending. We are entitled to two delegates plus a youth delegate. Rather than limit our numbers to only three, we have decided to approve as many delegates as want to go. We will then try to get credentials from other Riding Associations who are not using all their allotted delegates. So, if you’re interested in attending the convention, you’ll need to put your name forward at the AGM on June 15th. The convention in Quebec City is the first NDP policy convention in a long time. It will be critical to building momentum to the next election. To help get us there, VIA Rail is offering a 40% discount on all fares to Montreal. From Montreal, the NDP has chartered a train which can be boarded free of charge for the remainder of the journey to Quebec City. Check out this link for details on accommodations and travel, as well as information about the featured speakers, Stephen Lewis and Shirley Douglas: http://www.ndp.ca/convention .. The early bird register fee is un/der/waged: $50.00 Regular Adult: $95.00. We will be inviting our Riding members to support our delegate of limited financial means with an ‘adopt a delegate’ contribution; more details at the AGM.
Our guest speaker for the AGM is. . .YOU. Well, read that as the royal you. It has been four years since Rick Prashaw challenged CMM to think like a movement. In the last election Tasha Bridgen led us to a historic high. Compared to other NDP riding results, we finished 111th out of 308 Ridings. The time has come to take stock of where we’ve been and to set our sights one what lies ahead.
To that end, instead of a guest speaker, we are inviting the CMM membership and those who are interested to a facilitated round table discussion. The format is simple, we will break into small groups of 8-10 participants. The table groups will be themed as follows:
1. Reclaiming Canada’s Place in the World
2. Building an Inclusive Canada
3. Investing in Each Other
4. Standing Up for Working Families
5. Building the 21st Century Economy
6. NDP: Building the Party on the Move
Each group will be invited to reflect on the following questions within the context of their table groups theme:
What do you like about our community?What do you dislike about our community?What worries you about our community?What makes our community special?What can be done to solve some of the problems in our community?
From this process we will be able, as a group, to identify our Riding Associations priorities and develop resolutions that we will send to Quebec City. The success of this process is dependant on you. While votes are important, ideas win, and its you - your ideas, your concerns, your solutions that we need, so, consider this a challenge, come to the meeting and continue the momentum of the last four years. Whether your membership is current or not, we need you to put your ideas forward. If you think we missed something in our election preparation, then this is your chance to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
See you on June 15th
Chris Duncanson-Hales
President, CMM-NDP Riding Association
Saturday, June 03, 2006
The Tale of the Egg Sucking Dog
Earlier this week, we learned that Liberal leadership hopeful Joe Volpe's campaign received contributions from children. We learned that the money came from the children of executives of the generic drug company Apotex. Changes to the Canada Elections Act prohibits corporations from donating to leadership campaigns; but, does not extend to top executives and their families.
The actions of Apotex executives and those in Joe Volpe's campaign who accepted the donations stink. A pair of NDP MP's said it best: Pat Martin compared the Liberals to an "egg sucking dog who keeps crawling under the fence", and Charlie Angus expressed his dismay at the Liberals condoning the "shaking down of kids for their lunch money", and asked for a revision to the Canada Elections Act that would guarantee that "no Liberal leadership candidate, be allowed within 500 metres of a kindergarten, school or amusement arcade".
The Liberals have once agained proved that they have no intention of cleaning up their act, and they can't escape the stain of corruption.
The actions of Apotex executives and those in Joe Volpe's campaign who accepted the donations stink. A pair of NDP MP's said it best: Pat Martin compared the Liberals to an "egg sucking dog who keeps crawling under the fence", and Charlie Angus expressed his dismay at the Liberals condoning the "shaking down of kids for their lunch money", and asked for a revision to the Canada Elections Act that would guarantee that "no Liberal leadership candidate, be allowed within 500 metres of a kindergarten, school or amusement arcade".
The Liberals have once agained proved that they have no intention of cleaning up their act, and they can't escape the stain of corruption.
