Rose: Electoral reform discussion must focus on Canadian Values

Ottawa Citizen, Jonathan Rose, July 11, 2016

The focus of these town halls should be on what values matter most to Canadians in an electoral system. I think citizens care less about the allocation of seats than they do about how each system embodies principles such as accountability, fairness, simplicity and inclusiveness.

Should an electoral system offer greater voter choice, create effective parties, be simple and practical or offer fairness of representation? These are ideals that both reformers and non-reformers can rationally discuss without getting lost in the weeds of how votes are transferred under single transferable vote. 

Don’t let politics stand in your way. Instead of doing what’s possible. Do what’s necessary.

Seize the chance for North America to become a climate action juggernaut.

Three amigos summit seen as rare chance for big moves on climate change
CBC News, Margo McDiarmid, June 22, 2016

The North American leaders should seize their rare moment of political agreement on climate when they meet next week in Ottawa, says a new report.

The report, Proposals for a North American Climate Strategy, calls on the three leaders who will meet at the North American Leaders Summit June 29 to take advantage of the common approach they have on climate issues. 

"I believe you have alignment between these three nations in a way that we haven't seen before, and so we have to think about — how do we make the most of this time," said the Pembina Institute's Erin Flanagan, who is the co-author of the report compiled by a coalition of six environmental think-tanks from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

OTTAWA — Two out of three Canadians with an opinion want to replace First Past The Post and 64 per cent expect the Liberals are trying to improve our voting system.

Elizabeth May has earned the respect of the house and she deserves the respect of the committee. Her voice deserves to be heard. Her vote deserves to be counted.

UPDATE: THURSDAY JUNE 2nd: Minister Monsef said she had recently been "persuaded" that an additional way to show the government's commitment to inclusivity was to "break with tradition and have both the Bloc and the Greens as full voting members."

Monsef hints at openness to change voting reform committee
The Star, Alex Boutilier, Ottawa Bureau Reporter, May 31, 2016

The committee reflects the results of the 2015 election under the first-past-the-post system — a system the Liberals argue is flawed and must be changed.

Liberals To Keep Majority on New, All-Party Electoral Reform Committee

Huffington Post May 11, 2016  Althia Raj

The Canadian government is finally addressing the Liberal election promise to change the undemocratic first-past -the-post (FPTP) voting system. They just announced the All-Party committee to develop recommendations for a new electoral system and other electoral changes such as mandatory and online voting.

But... the Huffington Post reports the all-party committee has a majority of Liberal MPs and although Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader and MP for Saanich Gulf-Islands, can attend she cannot make a motion or vote:

Elizabeth May told The Huffington Post Canada in an email: 

 "I am glad the committee has been named and can begin its work. Obviously I am pleased to be a member, but I am disappointed not to have voting rights. I will be mulling over what rights I can have in my role.

Canada supports UN Indigenous rights declaration: Now what?

CBC News, May 11, 2016

When Canada removed its permanent objector status to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, it earned Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett a standing ovation.

But that announcement at the United Nations in New York on Tuesday is raising questions about what the declaration actually means for Canada, and exactly how it will be implemented...

Here’s How Electric Cars Will Cause the Next Oil Crisis

A shift is under way that will lead to widespread adoption of EVs in the next decade.
Bloomberg News, By Tom Randall | Feb. 25, 2016

EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS ON THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP

OTTAWA, April 2016: The House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade is extending the deadline for Canadians to submit written comments on the topic of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. Canadians who wish to provide a written submission in the context of the Committee’s TPP public consultation must do so before 23:59 EDT on June 30th, 2016

Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz warns Canada against TPP

The House on CBC Radio | Saturday April 2nd 2016

The warning from Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz leaves no doubt about his assessment of the Trans Pacific Partnership.

"TPP is a very bad agreement and will worsen inequality. I'm actually shocked that they're actually seriously considering ratifying it," Stiglitz told host Chris Hall on CBC Radio's The House.

Proportional representation is the only way to make every vote count

By rabble staff | March 29, 2016

During the 2015 federal election campaign, Justin Trudeau promised that this election would be the last conducted under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system.

After decades of campaigning from the likes of Fair Vote Canada and too many failed referendums that sought to turf the outdated system, Canada is as close to a consensus as it has ever been on electoral reform. For the first time, a majority of us agree that the way Canadians have voted since before Confederation is fundamentally unfair, wastes votes and has contributed to the decline of our democracy...

Laid-off By Oil Sands, Alberta Trades Seek Solar Relaunch

The Tyee, By Mychaylo Prystupa, March 21st 2016

Boilermaker Lliam Hildebrand admits he's been living a "double life."

The Victoria native grew up enjoying Vancouver Island's natural beauty and developed a passion for the environment. But unable to find work in his desired field of renewable energy, he applied his training for years in what may be the most controversial industry on the continent: Canada's oil sands.