I just signed a petition and sent an email to the Managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a quick but hopefully valuable attempt at a better world::
http://www.one.org/international/gold/?rc=goldtaf
At the G20 summit in London, the IMF was tasked with coming up for a plan to sell some of their gold reserves to provide emergency funding for developing countries struggling through the financial crisis. I sent a letter to the IMF, because I want them to provide as much funding as they can, and provide it in way that won't create debt for developing countries, which may find their economic recovery cut short if they have to take high interest loans.
The issue of debt is an important one, and we need to let the IMF know that people care about it so they do the right thing. Please join me in taking action to let them know here:
http://www.one.org/international/gold/?rc=goldtaf
A ton of work has been done to try to get the world's rich nations to forgive the debilitating debts from loans 'given' to the worlds poorest nations to supposedly help them rebuild after years of exploitation and often tyrannical rule by the colonial powers. Cynics would say that these loans were just a new form of colonialism because they came with conditionalities which fundamentally undermined the recipient countries' economies and societies (called structural adjustment programs or SAPs). The interest rates on some of these former loans led to the vast majority of government's budgets going towards servicing the debt while the countries citizens went without basic necessities. Some of these debts were forgiven in the last decades, freeing up sorely needed funds for things like providing antiretrovirals to people suffering from aids, and providing primary schooling. To renew the debt burdens when claiming to be helping countries overcome the effects of the financial crisis would be incredibly ironic, unjust, and disappointing. So I emailed my buddy IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, to share my opinion that I think its great that we are providing some capital to help poor countries cope with the financial crisis, but it should not be a loan. It should be stimulus.
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Democracy in action... or inaction?
Well, its a big day for attempting a better world. A couple weeks ago I contacted the members of Canada's Senate to ask them to remove non budgetary items from the Budget Implementation Act (Bill C-10), specifically some disturbing changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA) that were highlighted by the Sierra Club: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5654/t/3791/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1092
I received some decent replies, but ultimately the Senate proved to be only slightly more effective than the House of Commons in making our 'democracy' work. There was some decent discussion, but a motion to split the bill into its budgetary and non budgetary parts was voted down: http://www.albertasenator.ca/hullabaloos/
I have not interacted much with Senators but based on the replies some of them are pretty worried about the path we are going down too. And since they know a lot more than me, that makes me even more concerned.
The redeemer is this:
Hello,Thank you for your email regarding Bill C-10, the Budget Implementation Act. I seconded a motion to split the non-stimulus provisions out of Bill C-10 and urged the Senate to adopt it today. Although many Senators were sympathetic, our motion failed. However, and this will be important for laying the ground work for future changes, the Senate did agree to refer non-stimulus subject matters to various committees for further study.
The Navigable Waters Protection Act goes to the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
The Investment Canada Act and the Competition Act go to the Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee.
The Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act goes to the Human Rights Committee.
All other non-stimulus items go to the National Finance Committee.
I sincerely hope that you will contact the relevant committee and make arrangements to register your concerns. As a Canadian citizen, you have the right to be heard and it is important for the future of our country that you make this effort. Here is the link to the Senate Committees page which will give you contact information for the committee clerk and the names of Senators who are members of each committee.
Thank you for all your efforts and inspiration to date. Best regards, Elaine McCoy
So my attempts at a better world are to do just that. I am going to contact every senator on the relevent committees and see if I can register my concerns. So there may be more than one entry today but here is number 1, if anyone knows how to make this more effective please tell me:
Concerns with Bill C-10 relevant to your committee
mailto:eenr-eern@sen.parl.gc.ca,adamsw@sen.parl.gc.ca, anguswd@sen.parl.gc.ca, gautht@sen.parl.gc.ca, merchp@sen.parl.gc.ca, milnel@sen.parl.gc.ca, mitchg@sen.parl.gc.ca, russem@sen.parl.gc.ca, sibnic@sen.parl.gc.ca, spivam@sen.parl.gc.ca, stgerg@sen.parl.gc.ca, lebrem@sen.parl.gc.ca, comeag@sen.parl.gc.ca, cowanj@sen.parl.gc.ca, tardic@sen.parl.gc.ca
Dear members of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources,
I have never registered a concern with a Senate Committee before so I am unsure of whether this is the right way to do so. If it is not, please advise me on how I can go about doing this.
My name is Justin Wheler and I am a young Canadian Environmental Engineer with a reasonable level of knowledge and a high level of interest in Environmental Assessments and approvals and how development impacts society and the environment. The concern I have that pertains to your committee is with Part 7 from Bill C-10. Part 7 makes substantial amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA) that are unrelated to budgetary matters, and were rushed through without adequate stakeholder consultation.
I love the outdoors, especially canoeing and am concerned that this change removes an important step in assessing whether or not projects involving waterways represent a net gain to society. The EIA process is vital to ensuring that all relevant information is brought forth by all affected parties for this type of decision. I am not comfortable removing this responsibility to the discretion of the minister. Passing this type of amendment to a completely unrelated matter under the cover of economic stimulus is completely inappropriate,irresponsible, and undemocratic. This is not the way our Canada should function.
I have many friends and family who have been directly affected by the current economic situation - whether it be through loss of retirement and rainy day savings, loss of jobs, or inability to find work upon graduating from university with a high debt load and little hope. It is a tough time for our economy, and our people. I am personally on a contract position right now that ends in July and I am a little worried about my prospects for finding fulfilling and engaging work after that date. But please, please do not let this tough time be an excuse for unrelated and irresponsible changes to the other parts of Canada that we hold dear.
When we protect public access to waterways in Canada, we are also protecting the natural environment of those waterways. I understand that it is important to initiate infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy, but we should not use that as an opportunity to dismantle safeguards put in place to protect Canada’s environment. In fact, these hasty changes to the NWPA will have serious repercussions for the recreational navigation, ecotourism, fishing, and hunting sectors of our economy, none of whom were consulted about these amendments. Our navigable waterways and the activities conducted on them are a core part of our Canadian Heritage. They provide value to our country in so many ways that are not accounted for in economic balance sheets, but are core to our economy and the well being of our communities nonetheless. The public right of navigation pre-dates Confederation, and it needs to be part of our future.
Including non-budgetary items in Bill C-10 has and will continue to slow down the process of passing the budget. Please separate non-budgetary items, such as the amendments to the NWPA included in Part 7 to allow for these important, long term issues to be dealt with separately in greater depth and expedite the process of passing the budget.
Please separate the proposed amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act from C-10, the Budget Implementation Act, so we can get on with the budget. It’s the best way forward for the environment, the economy, and democracy. I have been following some of the Senate discussion on this matter and dared hope that the discussions in your chambers were more attuned to the needs and rights of Canadians.
Please seriously consider the long term impact of your deliberations on this matter. We, the youth of this country, do not want to pay for this urgent economic crisis long into the future with the loss of our rights and our environmental integrity.
I will anxiously await the results of your deliberations on this matter.
Sincerely,
--"name"
"town"
"postal code"
I received some decent replies, but ultimately the Senate proved to be only slightly more effective than the House of Commons in making our 'democracy' work. There was some decent discussion, but a motion to split the bill into its budgetary and non budgetary parts was voted down: http://www.albertasenator.ca/hullabaloos/
I have not interacted much with Senators but based on the replies some of them are pretty worried about the path we are going down too. And since they know a lot more than me, that makes me even more concerned.
The redeemer is this:
Hello,Thank you for your email regarding Bill C-10, the Budget Implementation Act. I seconded a motion to split the non-stimulus provisions out of Bill C-10 and urged the Senate to adopt it today. Although many Senators were sympathetic, our motion failed. However, and this will be important for laying the ground work for future changes, the Senate did agree to refer non-stimulus subject matters to various committees for further study.
The Navigable Waters Protection Act goes to the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
The Investment Canada Act and the Competition Act go to the Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee.
The Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act goes to the Human Rights Committee.
All other non-stimulus items go to the National Finance Committee.
I sincerely hope that you will contact the relevant committee and make arrangements to register your concerns. As a Canadian citizen, you have the right to be heard and it is important for the future of our country that you make this effort. Here is the link to the Senate Committees page which will give you contact information for the committee clerk and the names of Senators who are members of each committee.
Thank you for all your efforts and inspiration to date. Best regards, Elaine McCoy
So my attempts at a better world are to do just that. I am going to contact every senator on the relevent committees and see if I can register my concerns. So there may be more than one entry today but here is number 1, if anyone knows how to make this more effective please tell me:
Concerns with Bill C-10 relevant to your committee
mailto:eenr-eern@sen.parl.gc.ca,adamsw@sen.parl.gc.ca, anguswd@sen.parl.gc.ca, gautht@sen.parl.gc.ca, merchp@sen.parl.gc.ca, milnel@sen.parl.gc.ca, mitchg@sen.parl.gc.ca, russem@sen.parl.gc.ca, sibnic@sen.parl.gc.ca, spivam@sen.parl.gc.ca, stgerg@sen.parl.gc.ca, lebrem@sen.parl.gc.ca, comeag@sen.parl.gc.ca, cowanj@sen.parl.gc.ca, tardic@sen.parl.gc.ca
Dear members of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources,
I have never registered a concern with a Senate Committee before so I am unsure of whether this is the right way to do so. If it is not, please advise me on how I can go about doing this.
My name is Justin Wheler and I am a young Canadian Environmental Engineer with a reasonable level of knowledge and a high level of interest in Environmental Assessments and approvals and how development impacts society and the environment. The concern I have that pertains to your committee is with Part 7 from Bill C-10. Part 7 makes substantial amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA) that are unrelated to budgetary matters, and were rushed through without adequate stakeholder consultation.
I love the outdoors, especially canoeing and am concerned that this change removes an important step in assessing whether or not projects involving waterways represent a net gain to society. The EIA process is vital to ensuring that all relevant information is brought forth by all affected parties for this type of decision. I am not comfortable removing this responsibility to the discretion of the minister. Passing this type of amendment to a completely unrelated matter under the cover of economic stimulus is completely inappropriate,irresponsible, and undemocratic. This is not the way our Canada should function.
I have many friends and family who have been directly affected by the current economic situation - whether it be through loss of retirement and rainy day savings, loss of jobs, or inability to find work upon graduating from university with a high debt load and little hope. It is a tough time for our economy, and our people. I am personally on a contract position right now that ends in July and I am a little worried about my prospects for finding fulfilling and engaging work after that date. But please, please do not let this tough time be an excuse for unrelated and irresponsible changes to the other parts of Canada that we hold dear.
When we protect public access to waterways in Canada, we are also protecting the natural environment of those waterways. I understand that it is important to initiate infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy, but we should not use that as an opportunity to dismantle safeguards put in place to protect Canada’s environment. In fact, these hasty changes to the NWPA will have serious repercussions for the recreational navigation, ecotourism, fishing, and hunting sectors of our economy, none of whom were consulted about these amendments. Our navigable waterways and the activities conducted on them are a core part of our Canadian Heritage. They provide value to our country in so many ways that are not accounted for in economic balance sheets, but are core to our economy and the well being of our communities nonetheless. The public right of navigation pre-dates Confederation, and it needs to be part of our future.
Including non-budgetary items in Bill C-10 has and will continue to slow down the process of passing the budget. Please separate non-budgetary items, such as the amendments to the NWPA included in Part 7 to allow for these important, long term issues to be dealt with separately in greater depth and expedite the process of passing the budget.
Please separate the proposed amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act from C-10, the Budget Implementation Act, so we can get on with the budget. It’s the best way forward for the environment, the economy, and democracy. I have been following some of the Senate discussion on this matter and dared hope that the discussions in your chambers were more attuned to the needs and rights of Canadians.
Please seriously consider the long term impact of your deliberations on this matter. We, the youth of this country, do not want to pay for this urgent economic crisis long into the future with the loss of our rights and our environmental integrity.
I will anxiously await the results of your deliberations on this matter.
Sincerely,
--"name"
"town"
"postal code"
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Morality of Economics
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives is a dynamic church-based social justice movement.KAIROS works with its members, partners, and our cross-Canada community based network in the following areas: Ecological justice, Solidarity in Canada, Human rights and trade, and Grassroots action for global justice grounded in the local community
I just heard about KAIROS this weekend and liked one of their actions in particular - a letter to the Canadian Government calling for a moral response to the economic crisis. The full letter can be seen here.
I feel like religious communities provide a valuable contribution to the morals and ethics of our society. They help build communities of moral and spiritual support, often actively caring for the people and addressing larger needs of the population (through things like pastoral care and counselling, advocacy, philanthropy, etc). I don't always agree with the theology or specific approach of different groups, but I still think these communities provide an important voice for the morals of our society. They provide support and tradition for both mourning and celebration. When these communities, or leaders within them, speak out on issues, people take notice and at the very least, critical discussion is generated. Since KAIROS can send a message that represents a large number of these communities I hope that much more notice is taken. I don't know though since I only heard about it at a church which contributes to the organization. It can't hurt to try though, even if no attributable impact shows up in the news that I pay attention to.
So the attempt at a better world is to contribute to the united church Mission and Service fund, which contributes funding to a wide variety groups working on all kinds of issues. KAIROS is one example of an organisation that receives funds from M&S and this letter on the need for moral evaluation of our efforts to stimulate the economy is one example of how a group like this can play a valuable role in bringing about a better world, in my opinion of course.
As always, I would love to hear any feedback on the value of funding something like this, and the value of pushing for a moral response to our current economic woes.
I just heard about KAIROS this weekend and liked one of their actions in particular - a letter to the Canadian Government calling for a moral response to the economic crisis. The full letter can be seen here.
I feel like religious communities provide a valuable contribution to the morals and ethics of our society. They help build communities of moral and spiritual support, often actively caring for the people and addressing larger needs of the population (through things like pastoral care and counselling, advocacy, philanthropy, etc). I don't always agree with the theology or specific approach of different groups, but I still think these communities provide an important voice for the morals of our society. They provide support and tradition for both mourning and celebration. When these communities, or leaders within them, speak out on issues, people take notice and at the very least, critical discussion is generated. Since KAIROS can send a message that represents a large number of these communities I hope that much more notice is taken. I don't know though since I only heard about it at a church which contributes to the organization. It can't hurt to try though, even if no attributable impact shows up in the news that I pay attention to.
So the attempt at a better world is to contribute to the united church Mission and Service fund, which contributes funding to a wide variety groups working on all kinds of issues. KAIROS is one example of an organisation that receives funds from M&S and this letter on the need for moral evaluation of our efforts to stimulate the economy is one example of how a group like this can play a valuable role in bringing about a better world, in my opinion of course.
As always, I would love to hear any feedback on the value of funding something like this, and the value of pushing for a moral response to our current economic woes.
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