☆ "The Declaration for Change" ☆

Democracy and people's way of life is being challenged all over the globe. Economies are crashing into a debt system that simply doesn't work--and technically isn't even Real! Convenience is getting higher but people are having to work harder and longer hours than ever before. The environment is going to hell while oil companies are still receiving subsidies and taps on the wrist for massive oil spills that will leave the waters and land in ruins for generations. Debt of all sorts is increasing, the education system is lacking, and so many other important parts of our lives are being neglected and slashed. 

Here in Canada, true Democracy is being challenged more than ever with Harper's increasingly shameful government. Especially with the new Bill C-38, it's an even bigger reason for Canadians to start taking action and demanding a true democracy that actually appreciates our values, wants, and needs for a better future and quality of life. 

There are so many ways to get involved, to use our voices and to start caring about what goes on in our government. We Can change the world! 

One non-profit organization I'd like to take some words from is Leadnow.ca, that is trying to change our government for the better and I encourage you to sign their "Declaration for Change:" 

We, the undersigned, call for political cooperation to build a stronger democracy 

that protects our environment, creates economic opportunity while increasing equality, 

and guarantees that everyone receives the care they need.

I also encourage you check out their website and to participate in any way that you can and donate to the cause if you'd like, as they have some good projects and goals they are trying to reach. 

My point is that there are lots of organizations looking to do good in the world that are great for being people-powered and listening and having our voices heard--which, to me, is an important aspect to any organization looking for change. 

While this next bit is also taken from Leadnow's campaign, I think regardless of where you are, these priorites are sound and I think truly reflect what is most important to the people of the world and what needs the biggest changes. So, from Leadnow.ca…

Across geographies and generations, in local communities and online, thousands of Canadians are coming together to create a new kind of politics. This is our agenda for the new Parliament.

We call for political cooperation to build a stronger democracy that protects our environment, creates economic opportunity while increasing equality, and guarantees that everyone receives the care they need.

We commit to support action on the following key priorities and vote for the politicians who will best:

Democracy

• Create an open government plan to increase transparency and accountability
• Initiate a citizen-led process for a referendum on electoral reform
• Make it easier for people to participate directly in government decision-making

Economic Opportunity and Equality

• Establish a plan with clear targets to reduce poverty and provide affordable housing
• Improve access to high quality post-secondary education and reduce student debt
• Ensure access to affordable quality child care and early childhood education

Environment

• Establish climate legislation to meet international and science-based targets
• Invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency and home retrofits
• End subsidies to fossil fuel companies

Health

• Ensure universal access to high quality and publicly administered health care
• Invest in programs that prevent illness and promote wellness
• Create a national strategy to increase mental health support

Where there is overlap with provincial jurisdiction, we call for action to be defined in collaboration with the provinces and implemented according to jurisdiction.

These are changes I think that every government should be run by. And listening to the People's voices instead of ignoring clear shouts and signs from us all. 

So, I can't say enough; Get Involved! Support organizations doing good--like Leadnow, and the David Suzuki Foundation, WWF, and so many more! And go way beyond that! Get involved in your democracies, whether you are in Canada or on the other side of the world. Get involved in any and all ways available to you. Now is the time to "wake up" instead of the continuation of brainwashing.  Read up on the truth, stay "in the loop," and try to follow matters going on in your country. Sign petitions, share information through the internet and through word of mouth. Watch documentaries, follow conspiracies (because there is often a lot of truth to them), learn, explore, and care about the place you live.

We live here, so let's make it great for everyone--not just the 1%. ;)

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☆ Bill C-38 ☆

The Conservative government has passed Bill C-38, proving, once again, that Adolf Harper is ignoring the tens of thousands of Canadians who spoke up against it and that our government does not give a damn about the supposed "Democracy" of our country. The truth is, our voices are not being listened to, even though they are being shouted loud and clear, and the Conservative Government continues to do what they please without Canadian citizen's consent. 

Okay, so what is Bill C-38? 

Bill C-38 is the Budget implementation bill in response to Harper's 2012 Economic Action Plan. This implementation bill is numbered C-38 and is wrongly titled by the government "The Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act." What a joke! The opposition put forward hundreds of practical amendments to stand up for the things we care about most, but all of it was ignored. 

This budget is a whopping 452 pages! If the Conservatives truly believed their changes were good for Canada, then why did they hide them in a 425-page budget bill?

And they are hoping Canadians wouldn't notice. 

Hiding in this bill are:

Changes to the Old Age Security Act by raising the retirement age to 67, making it harder for seniors to retire in dignity and security.

Employment Insurance made more difficult for hard-working Canadians to access when they need it most.

A $31 billion cut in health transfers, chipping away at the health care system. They have also weakened food and drug regulations, risking everyones safety and health. 

Nearly 300, 000 immigration applications are being dumped, so that the government can start off with a "clean slate," robbing those 300, 000 people of all the hope and time they've put into trying to get into Canada. 

Canada’s environmental protections have been gutted! The bill cuts back the environmental assessment of development projects, easing the way for industrial developments (such as pipelines) that could put the future of our land, water and climate at risk. 

There have also been 776 job cuts to Environment Canada. 

Attempts to silence voices of dissent against such developments by making it more difficult for environmental charities and agencies to participate in the public policy process. 

The budget will shut down agencies such as: National Council of Welfare, the Public Appointments Commission, Rights and Democracy, the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy, the Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal and Assisted Human Reproduction Canada.

It also changes the rules about acceptable donations to charities, by reducing the amount of money people can donate to charities that are considered too politically active and allowing the minister to withhold tax receipts from a charity if he or she feels the money is being used for political campaigns.

Meanwhile, while our environment is being slashed, the bill gave oil and gas insiders more authority to go ahead with big pipeline projects. 

(As you read this, a major cleanup operation is underway near Red Deer Alberta. More than 3000 barrels of oil leaked into the river, one of 600 leaks in the last year.)

Stand Up!

Aside from this bill being horrendous and a sneaky 452 pages long, the other problem is that, as well as the opposition, Canadians DID speak out against this bill in numerous ways. The massive "Black Out Speak Out" campaign formed the largest coalition of organizations ever assembled to demonstrate clearly Canadians do NOT support Bill C-38 and that Canadians do Not want it. There were also several petitions and demonstrations with thousands of voices. Parliament heard and they ignored those tens of thousands of voices. 

Canadians are not happy, and if you're not mad about these changes to our beautiful green country yet then you should be. Because this bill affects you and it will affect your children. That is unless something is done about it. Just because this bill has passed does not mean it's over. On the contrary, this is the time to speak out and get involved like never before. Environment charities and organizations are certainly not staying silent and they will be speaking out as well, so let's stand beside them and let the Harper government hear our voices roar!  

Let's help Canada get back on track! Open your eyes, speak up and speak out! Spread the word! Spread the message! Get involved in anyway that you can.  

"They want us to fail. We will not."

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