Archive for Participatory democracy

Don Mouth Vision threatened again

Battles for good planning are lost only once but must be won over and over and over again to continue prevailing.  Once again, we are struggling against a small-minded view that would attempt to contain the full flow of the Don River in storm as it courses through a waterfront newly coated with densely packed buildings including a possible big box development.

What former GPC candidate Sharon Howarth led the fight for was the broad and compelling vision of a Don Mouth re-born into something like what nature intended for it – a broad wetland floodplain with a meandering river, filled with songbirds and tall grasses and boardwalks for people to enjoy.  Her vision prevailed in the public mind and thousands of citizens demanded it.  This led to an inspired visioning process that created an award-winning and internationally recognized design.  Since that time, the elements of that design are constantly being chipped away in the name of economy and profit.

Write to your Councillor now (all comments must be in before April 15 so do it today before you forget) and demand that the City recommit to more green space and more renaturalization.  Demand more wetlands to economically clean the air and water, and to help absorb and manage the floods that climate change is likely to inflict on the city.     Read more »

Mon Mar 12: Telephone town hall with Elizabeth May, Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu

Monday, 2012 March 12, 7:30pm
Call toll-free: 1-888-886-6603, then 18338#

This is a chance for people to ask questions and have them answered by Elizabeth May and Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu.  Just dial in and speak directly with Elizabeth and Adriana.

The oil pipeline to Texas:

Update: The audio recordings of all questions and answers are now online:     Read more »

Sun Mar 4: Green cleaning solutions for dirty politics

TORONTO – The robocalls scandal shows the need for a wider clean-up of our electoral system, says the Green Party of Canada.  “First of all, we need to have a public commission of inquiry into the robocalls scandal and get to the bottom of it.  But we also need to look at wider issues including the investigative power of Elections Canada, the increasing use of negative election tactics, and whether more teeth need to be added to the Elections Act,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Green candidate in the ongoing Toronto-Danforth by-election Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu agreed, “The robocalls scandal involves such a volume of complaints and is so widespread, it should now be turned over for a full public inquiry.  Then we need to make sure that Elections Canada can handle any future complaints.”     Read more »

Adriana on openness, incentives to cheat

Quoting Joanna Lavoie, writing in InsideToronto.com, quoting Adriana at the all-candidates meeting:

However, a number of hot-button issues did come up during the debate, notably the alleged robo-calls scandal, the questionable automated calls during the May 2011 election, and how to restore voter confidence in light of it.

Green Party candidate Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu said her party’s leader Elizabeth May is the only parliamentarian to open her budget to the public.

“I’d like to see more transparency across the board,” she said of the scandal, which she called “a serious, criminal act.”

Further, she pointed to the Greens’ support for proportional representation, adding if implemented, the robo-call scheme wouldn’t have been as effective as a much smaller percentage of the voting population would have been impacted.

Please help release President Nasheed of the Maldives

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:

Our children deserve better

I am so honoured to be the Green Party candidate in Toronto-Danforth again.  My very great thanks to all those who participated in the nomination.  I look forward to working with you to paint this riding a rainbow of green!  Here is a part of my nomination speech:

Our children deserve better.

In my lifetime, we will burn through 80% of the available oil. Our generation has enjoyed unprecedented luxury. It’s our solemn duty to leave something for our kids.     Read more »

2012 by-election nomination contestant: Emma Richardson

Toronto-Danforth by-election nomination contestant Emma RichardsonEmma Richardson was born and raised in Toronto, benefitting from a first-rate public school education.  An economist by training, Emma completed a Master’s degree at the London School of Economics before working for five years with the United Nations in Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala.

In 2009, Emma moved back to Toronto with her husband Pablo and gave birth to her daughter, Sara Isabel, who now attends the local city daycare.  Emma is currently completing a PhD in public health at the University of Toronto.  She concurrently teaches about global health policy at the University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus and carries out consultancies in the development field.     Read more »

2012 by-election nomination contestant: Ann Peel

Toronto-Danforth by-election nomination contestant Ann PeelAnn Peel is endorsed by Mary Ann Grainger, former CEO of the Toronto-Danforth Green Party Assn and Campaign Manager of Toronto-Danforth’s 2008 federal election campaign; and Chris Lea, former leader of the Green Party of Canada.

Dear fellow Toronto-Danforth greens,

I’m not at home. I’m away on a trip and will miss the nomination meeting, but I am most pleased there will be a contest. For the last few years I have been impressed with the hard work of Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu but I am convinced that a change would be heathy and take us to a new level. After considering the candidates I would like to endorse Ann Peel to be our next candidate.

Chris Lea, former Leader, Green Party of Canada

Ann Peel writes:     Read more »

2012 by-election nomination contestant: Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu

Update: Adriana was selected as our 2012 candidate from a field of three strong Green women.  She needs your help.

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu is the Climate Change Critic for the Green Party of Canada and was the party’s local candidate for the 2011 general election. She has lived in Riverdale for 10 years with her husband Charlie and their children.  This community is her home and she will always work to make it more safe, beautiful and vibrant.

As part of a commitment to fight for a liveable world for her five children, Adriana joined the Green Party in 2005 and revitalized the riding association as the CEO.  Since then, she has been reaching out to the community, raising awareness of the climate crisis and promoting the policies necessary to address it.

As the Green Party candidate for the 2011 election, Adriana has canvassed the riding twice through.     Read more »

Sun Feb 5: Choose a candidate for Toronto-Danforth federal by-election

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 more »

Durban climate negotiations update

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 more »

Global uprisings are all about the end of growth

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 more »

2011 Sep 29: All-candidates debate

There will be a truly all-candidates debate on Thursday.  All registered candidates have been invited.

Thursday, 2011 September 29, 7pm – 9pm
United Church, corner of Pape and O’Connor

Update: David Langer uploaded the complete video:

From the grandparents

The Toronto-based group For Our Grandchildren has produced this wonderful video:

For Our Grandchildren – Something Must Be Done from Stephen Best on Vimeo.

If the video stutters, click on the HD in the lower-right-hand corner.  Even in “low-def”, it’s quite high-definition.

Join Tim Whalley’s volunteer team

We’re now less than a month away from provincial election day. We’ve got a big team of volunteers helping Tim Whalley, our Green Party of Ontario candidate. But we always need more. Please let us know if you can help out in any way. There’s lots of fun, easy ways to help, either with a group of people together or on your own time at home. Here’s your first volunteer task: request a sign.

Toronto-Danforth candidate Tim Whalley at volunteer BBQ

More action against Keystone XL pipeline

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

Sharon Howarth arrested protesting Keystone XL tar sands pipeline

David Wilson arrested protesting Keywtone XL tar sands 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.

Order your lawn sign now!

Lawn sign for Toronto-Danforth candidate

Small lawn sign (24″×16″) on wires

Show your support for the Green Party of Canada in the 2012 by-election by requesting a lawn sign for your property. (Signs not as shown, we still need to choose a candidate, and you can help do that.)

If you live in the Toronto-Danforth riding and want to show your support, please fill in the form below:


About you:
Name:
Email:
Phone:
About your sign:
Size:  Small Big
Address:
Instructions:

Toronto-Danforth candidate's large lawn sign

Big lawn sign (48″×32″) on stakes

2011 Sep 21: Ontario advance polls open

Wednesday, 2011 September 21 to Friday, September 30
10 am to 8 pm at your returning office

As soon as the election is called, you’ll be able to take advantage of the advance polls to cast your vote. The places and dates for the advance polls will be listed on your Notice of Registration Card that you’ll receive in the mail, or you can use Elections Ontario’s online application.

Ontario advance polls close

Wednesday, September 21 to Friday, 2011 September 30
10 am to 8 pm at your returning office     Read more »

2011 Oct 6: Ontario election day

Thursday, 2011 October 6, 9 am to 9 pm

If you are qualified to vote and your name is on the Voters List, Elections Ontario will mail you a Notice of Registration Card that lists your voting location on election day, plus the dates, times and locations for advanced voting.     Read more »

Support climate activists opposing Keystone XL pipeline for tarsands oil

Update: Read Patricia’s first-hand report.

Patricia Warwick mugshot for Tar Sands ActionToronto-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:

A dozen of the the nearly fifty people arrested that day

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

2011 Aug 22: Ontario Green Party candidate nomination meeting

Monday, 2011 August 22, 7pm
Pape Library, 701 Pape Ave, upstairs meeting room

All candidates to be Toronto-Danforth candidate

On Monday, 2011 August 22, the Green Party of Ontario’s Toronto-Danforth Constituency Association selects its candidate for the upcoming Ontario general election on 6 October.     Read more »

“I look forward to paying your taxes”

One Green is worth 16 Conservatives

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 more »