Danforth Greens » News

Please help release President Nasheed of the Maldives

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:18:54 +0000

President Mohammed Nasheed has been ousted by a military coup and is under house arrest. I’m taking a bit of time out of my campaign to urge everyone to help him. Please sign this petition and then write to Prime Minister Harper, urging him to use his influence to secure the release of Mr Nasheed.

President Nasheed was the first democratically elected leader of the Maldives. Hear why we need his voice to be free:

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

By-election day in Toronto-Danforth [moved a week]

Charlie Halpern-Hamu — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:02:09 +0000

Update: Harper updated the original announced date.

Voting day in Toronto-Danforth will be Monday, 2012 March 19. Of course there will be advance polls and other alternatives available before then.

Posted by Charlie Halpern-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Choose a candidate for Toronto-Danforth federal by-election

Bob Halstead — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:47:37 +0000

Update: It’s Adriana.

Nomination Meeting
Sunday, 2012 February 5, 4pm
(followed by Annual General Meeting)
Riverdale branch, Toronto Public Library
(northwest corner of Broadview and Gerrard)
All are welcome.

Following the untimely passing of Jack Layton, Toronto-Danforth is not currently represented in Parliament. This vacancy will be filled in a by-election that must be called by Prime Minister Harper before the end of February.

On February 5th, 2012, we will select both a new riding executive and our candidate for the Toronto-Danforth by-election, who will aim to double the number of Green Party representatives in Parliament

Read full post: Choose a candidate for Toronto-Danforth federal by-election

Posted by Bob Halstead to Danforth Greens

Latest date to announce Toronto-Danforth by-election

Bob Halstead — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:43:10 +0000

Update: The by-election was announced February 5, the same day we chose Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu as our candidate. Election day will be Monday, March 12.

According to Elections Canada, the by-election in Toronto-Danforth must be called no later than 2012 February 26.

The local Green Party riding association hold their candidate nomination meeting on February 5 at 4pm at Riverdale Library, click here for all the details

Read full post: Latest date to announce Toronto-Danforth by-election

Posted by Bob Halstead to Danforth Greens

Conference Board recommends considering a guaranteed income

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:20:21 +0000

The Green Party has for many years been promoting a guaranteed annual income (GAI). It should be more economical than the hodgepodge of existing income support programmes, it will capture people who aren’t served by the current system (such as caregivers for family members who need round-the-clock support), and it addresses the dignity that every Canadian deserves

Read full post: Conference Board recommends considering a guaranteed income

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Durban climate negotiations update

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:42:14 +0000

I’ve been following the COP17 climate change conference in Durban, South Africa from right here in Riverdale. This will be a long, rambling omnibus post on my thoughts and concerns

Read full post: Durban climate negotiations update

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Global uprisings are all about the end of growth

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:20:29 +0000

I’ve been following the “Occupy Toronto” movement that’s powered by youth and hope in a world of corruption and decadence. I hope that it will prove to be the catalyst for the new ideas we need to take us forward.

This movement is occurring in a context. Though many of the participants may be unaware of it, there is a fairly obvious underlying reason for the rising levels of anger

Read full post: Global uprisings are all about the end of growth

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Toronto-Danforth candidates Q&A

Charlie Halpern-Hamu — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:14:30 +0000

The Beaches Riverdale Mirror and East York Mirror have published a question-and-answer article featuring Tim Whalley and other candidates.

Follow this link to the whole article reproduced on Inside Toronto.

Here are Tim’s answers

Read full post: Toronto-Danforth candidates Q&A

Posted by Charlie Halpern-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Televised debate on Rogers

Sarah Massecar — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:28:36 +0000

You can watch the debate live on Rogers TV or later, online.

The Local Campaign: Toronto-Danforth
Hosted by Dale Goldhawk
Monday, 2011 September 26, 9pm
Rogers TV cable 10 and 63, and online

Posted by Sarah Massecar to Danforth Greens

More action against Keystone XL pipeline

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:25:17 +0000

I previously wrote about Patricia Warwick, one of the “Fabulous 45″ – so named because although they came to Washington expecting to face a $100 “post and forfeit” for defying the rules of the park in front of the White House, they discovered that those arrested the previous day were to be held for 3 days. The 45 risked arrest anyway.

The actions against the Keystone XL pipeline (which would enable a vast expansion in the capacity for oil production from the tar sands) at the White House continued for another 12 days after Patricia’s arrest, with over 1200 arrests in total, including east Toronto residents Sharon Howarth, the Green Party of Canada candidate in Toronto-Danforth in the 2008 federal election and David Wilson, an oil industry retiree. Tar Sands Action, which organized this demonstration, vows to continue working to oppose the pipeline

The action against the Keystone XL Pipeline is now moving to Canada, where activists are planning a sit-in on September 26. You can find out more and join here.

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Tim Whalley — bio and priorities

Charlie Halpern-Hamu — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:50:09 +0000

Tim Whalley has been chosen by the local riding association to represent the Green Party of Ontario in the 2011 provincial elections. Voting day is October 6.

Tim is the executive director of Scarborough Arts and actively works with a broad range of organizations, stakeholders and residents to enrich the community and make it more liveable. He holds a Masters in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, and has taught at the university level and served on a number of boards of directors. Tim lives in the Greenwood / Gerrard neighbourhood with his teacher wife and their infant child. He is a member of local organizations such as the Toronto Environmental Alliance and Toronto Cyclists Union

Read full post: Tim Whalley — bio and priorities

Posted by Charlie Halpern-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Condolences to Jack Layton’s family

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:20:52 +0000

Toronto-Danforth Greens extend their sympathy to Jack Layton’s family and to his NDP family and supporters. Jack will always be remembered in this community as a tireless fighter, a passionate spokesperson, a man who loved Canada and inspired everyday heroes.

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Support climate activists opposing Keystone XL pipeline for tarsands oil

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:55:11 +0000

Update: Read Patricia’s first-hand report.

Toronto-Danforth resident and climate activist Patricia Warwick was just arrested in Washington D.C. while opposing the Keystone XL pipeline, which is to allow for the expansion of tar sands operations in Canada. President Obama is to reject or approve the plan later this year.

The “mug shot” photo was taken by the group Tar Sands Action. And here she is at the protest, in the red behind the sign, in a big sun hat:

Patricia’s arrest was covered in the Globe and Mail and Ottawa Citizen, where she was quoted as saying

Read full post: Support climate activists opposing Keystone XL pipeline for tarsands oil

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

“I look forward to paying your taxes”

Charlie Halpern-Hamu — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 22:11:30 +0000

From TheStar.com: Annika Tabovaradan addresses Toronto City Council members at 2 a.m. and makes a tearful plea to keep area libraries open. She already has to wait 30 minutes for computer time.

Posted by Charlie Halpern-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Report first, ask questions later

Charlie Halpern-Hamu — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:16:45 +0000

Posted by Charlie Halpern-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Elizabeth on Bonn climate negotiations

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:41:04 +0000

Elizabeth May confronts the government on its twisting of reality in her first press conference as an MP, pointing out that the world demands a continuation of Kyoto.

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

One Green is worth 16 Conservatives

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:42:29 +0000

I have often thought of reversing the way that proportional representation is calculated and applying it to the MPs already in Parliament.

The one Green seat represents almost 580,000 votes. 166 Conservative seats represent 5.8 million votes. So while each Conservative MP represents just over 35,000 voters, Elizabeth May represents 580,000.

Therefore one Green is worth 16 Conservatives

Read full post: One Green is worth 16 Conservatives

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Elizabeth on removing per-vote subsidy

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:20:48 +0000

Elizabeth’s question regarding the budget was smart. Watch the Conservative member avoid the question. He does not answer why the government perversely chose to trim the most democratic and fair form of public finance for political parties. The Conservatives like the subsidies that give rich people the majority of their money back when they contribute to political parties, but would deny the funding that goes to parties people vote for even when they can’t afford to contribute.

You can get a good explanation of what is going on here.

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

One brave Green supports Canadians who question continued military engagement in Libya

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:02:28 +0000

I have never been prouder to be a Green. Bravo to Elizabeth, the only member of Parliament who refused to support the escalation of war in Libya.

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Wide agreement that energy must be expensive

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 03:47:23 +0000

Today, Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller slammed the Liberals for cutting hydro bills by ten percent, identifying the measure as a perverse subsidy. He stated:

The problem with the 10 per cent (cut) is it means the people who use the most energy get the most money back and that is a disincentive, a perverse incentive. It rewards and encourages increased consumption.

He then went on to criticize both the NDP and Conservatives for pledging to remove the HST from hydro bills

Read full post: Wide agreement that energy must be expensive

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

More nuclear woes

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 05:15:03 +0000

The news from Japan keeps getting worse. Now it is reported that not only did the reactor core melt down, not only did it breach the pressure vessel, but it now appears that the material has penetrated the reactor building itself and seeped into the ground. That is close to the worst case scenario. Clean-up costs are now estimated at $250 billion, and that will not bring things back to normal. It will still mean living with elevated cancer rates, particularly in Japan, but spreading all over the world. And Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has asked to close Hamaoka, another nuclear power plant that has been deemed not to be earthquake safe.

All of the costs for this disaster are being borne by the public. The Japanese government will absorb all the costs of clean-up, relocation and health impacts. Governments throughout the world will also be paying for the elevated health care costs arising from the increased rates of cancer in their countries. These will continue for many decades. Every other form of power generation is self-insuring. The nuclear industry clearly does not deserve this free ticket as nuclear power is inherently dangerous.

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Canada harshly criticized at climate negotiations in Bonn

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:50:12 +0000

Even Canada’s traditional allies like Australia tore into our report to the UN, pointing out that our reporting, our goals and the measures taken to attain these goals were all hopelessly inadequate. They also charged that Canada is ignoring the elephant in the room, the tar sands, which are a large and growing proportion of our emissions.

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Ontario NDP joining Jack Layton to help roast the planet and hurt the poor

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 04:15:53 +0000

About a week after the election, I wrote what I worried might be too strident a post and finally published it now. Someone has to hold the NDP accountable. Their climate policy is possibly the worst of all parties, as they continually find creative new ways to subsidize fossil fuels

Read full post: Ontario NDP joining Jack Layton to help roast the planet and hurt the poor

Posted by Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu to Danforth Greens

Volunteer your fruit tree or your fruit picking skills…

Michela Pasquali — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:02:08 +0000

Not Far From The Tree has established a new hub in Riverdale.

From the announcement:

Not Far From The Tree is a non-profit organization that connects people with fruit trees and local agencies. A team of trained volunteers pick the tree and the fruit is divided three ways, between the tree owner, the volunteer pickers, and a local community agency such as a food bank or shelter.

Tree owners get a substantial amount of fruit without the work or mess, and good food gets put to good use instead of rotting on the ground. This year the organization has established a new “hub” in the Riverdale area.

If you have a tree you would like picked (this year or next), are interested in being a volunteer picker, or would like more information, visit www.notfarfromthetree.org or contact Riverdale hub coordinator, Chris Sharp, at chris@notfarfromthetree.org.

Posted by Michela Pasquali to Danforth Greens