Archive for Participatory democracy

I’ve been participating in JustEarth, an environmental coalition spearheaded by former MP Lynn McDonald when the riding was called Broadview-Greenwood.

Although Lynn is an NDP member, she is pushing for a carbon tax, which the NDP has so far rejected.  If you have some time, download the carbon tax petition and get your neighbours to sign it.  In my experience, it’s actually an easy sell.

Be sure to mention that the petition specifically asks that the carbon tax be offset by a corresponding reduction in income taxes, and that these reductions be structured so that low-income Canadians aren’t hurt by the change.

Elizabeth May will participate in a debate this Wednesday.  The question posed is “Is Canada’s participation in multilateral environmental agreements futile?”.  Until Elizabeth’s place in the Leader’s debates is secured, we should encourage our friends to go hear her speak in public whenever possible.  Come early, it promises to be a packed house.     Read more »

In the US elections, all the major contenders now (Clinton, McCain and Obama) have serious climate change strategies in their platforms.  But Al Gore doesn’t think there’s enough focus on climate change and plans to push the candidates on this issue.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced byelections in 4 ridings for Monday, March 17.  Two of those ridings are in the Toronto area, Willowdale and Toronto Centre just west of us.

Note that March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day, the day we paint things Green.

I urge everyone to get involved.  The Green Party candidate in the riding next door is Chris Tindal.  He is one of my favourite Green Party people.  We’ve worked together a number of times.   He is poised, knowledgeable and thoughtful.  I would love to see him get the seat, but he’ll need to beat Bob Rae, running for the Liberals.

Yesterday, after getting an emergency appeal from the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition (CYCC) delegation to Bali, I sent out an urgent appeal to all our supporters to bombard the Prime Minister’s office with requests to stop blocking the negotiations.  Basically, Canada was the only holdout Kyoto nation refusing to endorse targets of 25-40% by 2020.  I have no doubt that because of this tremendous effort by CYCC and their supporters here in Canada, Minister John Baird in Bali capitulated to the pressure and agreed to the targets other countries proposed.  Thank you to everyone who contacted the Prime Minister.     Read more »