Please Lead us to a Better Future at the G-20 and in Canada

Dear Prime Minister Harper and Finance Minister Flaherty:

I am a young Canadian Engineer who is learning a lot about how our global markets and societies function and how they fall far short of functioning. I am concerned for my job and those of my family and friends and fellow Canadians, but I am more concerned about the path we are taking as a country and as humanity: I am concerned about how we will avoid catastrophic climate change and adapt to the changes already underway; concerned about how we will feed the world and allow all people to live dignified and secure lives; concerned about where our water will come from over the long term, and I am concerned about how the decisions I make and the decisions you make on my behalf will affect my children and grandchildren. We are at a major decision point. We know the paths we chose up to now led to major challenges for the environment, society, and even the economy. So the question is, what do we choose for our new path?

As you head to London this week for the G-20 meeting to help find a path forward in overcoming this financial crisis, I respectfully request that you please provide the type of leadership the world needs, and that all Canadians can be proud of. The whole world is facing great uncertainty currently and Canada is no exception, but we are better off than almost every other nation. As a result, the world will be looking to us for leadership and guidance. Our voice is disproportionate to our population at this critical time. With this power, and influence comes great opportunity and, more importantly, great responsibility.

Please keep all Canadians, and all the people of the world whom our words and actions impact in mind as you enter into these discussions. Canadians care about the world and our role in it. We know that a more equitable world will be more sustainable, secure and prosperous for all. We also are learning the hard way that the things we have considered to be external to our measurements of economic success are actually the very things we need most. We can no longer ignore the costs of pollution, exploitation, trade injustice, over consumption, and resource depletion.

Humanity is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment, and the economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of humanity. Our priorities in decision making and our measures of well being must change to recognize these facts. The capitalist economy can be a powerful tool for harnessing human creativity and naturally prioritizing our efforts to address our most pressing challenges – but only if we choose to make it this by engaging all of humanity in responsible and respectful pursuit of solutions. The time is right for making these fundamental and essential shifts.

So as you enter into discussions at the G-20, and as you make important decisions in our own country, please:

· Do not just denounce protectionism; denounce trade injustice in all forms. Especially the subsidies and tariffs and dumping of excess goods that affect the nations of the developing world (and that Canada is currently complicit in)

· Reaffirm global aid commitments made by the G8 and the urgency for all donor countries to achieve the 0.7 percent of Gross National Income aid target. Follow through on our own commitments for aid amounts and for focusing aid on poverty alleviation above all other goals. Canada is well situated to take the lead on this, by setting a time line for achieving this goal.

· Ensure emergency funds are provided to countries to pursue their own economic stimulus policies, including establishing social safety nets and protecting livelihoods for the poor, and strengthening the public provision of essential services such as health, education and water and sanitation services.

· Take advantage of this opportunity to use stimulus packages to build a sustainable and responsible global economy, and tackle climate change.

· Democratize the governance of the global economy - Financial institutions must be accountable and adequately regulated, including provisions to stop capital flight and address tax havens. The World Bank and the IMF must be fundamentally transformed and held accountable to international standards on human rights, and labour and environmental standards. The role of the UN in overseeing the global economy should be strengthened.

· Help us shift from the pursuit of ever expanding consumption and growth, to the pursuit of ever improving quality of life and integrity of environment, worldwide. Do not artificially prop up industries that led to our problems in the first place. Engage the people in those organizations in retraining and refocusing on providing the solutions we need for the future - like building a sustainable energy and transportation solutions, pursuing resource efficiency and pollution avoidance on all fronts, and growing healthy communities. Stimulate radical growth and innovation, not stagnation and repetition of past mistakes.

The financial crisis, as well as the food, fuel and climate crises, are threatening to reverse significant progress made on reducing extreme poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. I urge Canada to demonstrate leadership at the upcoming G-20, and press for the above initiatives to address the needs of all people and nations and the environment we depend on. We are all on this planet together and must work together to address the needs of today, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet the needs of tomorrow. We need effective decisions that will help people in the short term, and set humanity up for sustainable prosperity. I believe that Canada can play a lead role in this, and I am asking you to start leading today.

Yours sincerely,

Justin Wheler

Halifax, NS

B3K 5L3