Archive for Participatory democracy

Donna Dillman is well and eating again.  She did not get the requested moratorium on uranium mining from Premier McGuinty.  Instead, after 68 days without solid food (the final two on water only), a number of organizations stepped in and promised to hold a public inquiry into uranium mining on her behalf.  These included the Canadian Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU), Greenpeace, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), WWF, Suzuki Foundation, Sierra Club and others.  This was announced at a press conference in the provincial Legislature following a march organized by Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT).

Glenn MacIntosh of EcoSanity, who has been following the story with a video recorder, took videos of Donna getting her first bite to eat.

Many heartfelt thanks to our MPP Peter Tabuns, whose office Donna occupied for over 2 weeks in Toronto, and who officially acknowledged her daily in the Legislature.  Peter also helped to organize 2 press conferences and 2 marches over that period.

In support of Donna Dillman, the Steelworker’s Union has organized a March on  the last day that the Legislature will be open.  Please join us.

Also please read on about what else you can do.  The situation is urgent, with Donna’s safety now very much at immediate risk.  I have gone on a juice fast myself in her support and will be in the Legislature with her today, tomorrow and Thursday after the march.  Our nominated candidate, Sharon Howarth, will be joining us as well.

March  against uranium mining
Thursday, 2007 December 13, 9:30 AM
Toronto CPT  Office
(Steelworkers’ Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Unit 307)     Read more »

The Toronto-Danforth Federal Green Party Association held their annual AGM  last night and the following executive was selected:

• Mary Ann Grainger, CEO
• Patricia Harris, Financial Agent

Executive members,  specific responsibilities to be determined:

• Ron Chambers
• Ed Chin
• Barbora Grochalova
• Charlie  Halpern-Hamu
• Lies Lambermont
• Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu
• Raymond  Scholz
• Ken Shepard
• Doug Wright     Read more »

Donna Dillman has moved her hunger strike for a moratorium on uranium mining to Queen’s Park.  Her rally this morning got a significant group of supporters out in the cold at Queen’s Park.  It felt good to be there.  The press was there taking pictures and talking to people.  It feels like something powerful is in the works.  Donna was gracious and informed and sensible even though she’s starting to feel weak and she’s always cold.  Our MPP, Peter Tabuns, was out there in support, as well as a lot of faces from Toronto-Danforth including our candidate Sharon Howarth and Green Party of Ontario staff Jeff Brownridge and Jessica Fracassi.  The Green Party of Ontario issued a press release in support of Donna, and the Green Party of Canada has been behind her all along. Peter scheduled an interview with Donna following the rally and has promised his support for further media opportunities.  Thanks Peter.  And thanks Donna, for your courage.

Students Against Climate Change, headed up by my friend Paul York, is hosting this talk by local (Toronto-Danforth) IPCC lead author Danny Harvey.

Global Warming and the Need for Political Change
lecture with Danny Harvey
Wednesday, 2007 November 28, 6 pm
Hart House, University of Toronto
free