The recent decision by Prime Minister Harper to prorogue parliament is one more nail in the coffin of democracy in Canada.  His publicly stated reason for proroguing parliament - to enable his government to concentrate on the next phase of the economic recovery is a complete sham.  It suggests that each and every time the PM needs to prepare new strategic plans, he will suspend day-to-day accountability of himself and his government to parliament and hence to the public. 

By taking this decision over a holiday period and with the house in recess Harper hopes that public response will be muted and that the public will largely have forgotten about it once parliament resumes in March. 

This is an issue that must be kept in the public eye.  Democracy is not being well served by Harper's actions.  He and his government must be called to account.  So, come and have your say at the February dialogue for Democracy meeting. 

The community centre was not available.  Please note the new location: 

St. Timothy's Presbyterian Church - the Gatherall room

2400 Alta vista Drive

(Located on the west side of Alta vista, just south of Randall)

Date: Tues, February 16, 2010

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Dialogue for Democracy (D4D) provides a forum for citizens to share their views and questions in an open, friendly, non-partisan environment. "Experts" introduce the subject of the day, and answer questions, but all attendees have a turn to speak. That's the D4D difference.  We would like to hear from you; come and make your voice heard! 

Also, please consider attending the "Rally Against Proroguing Parliament": Jan 23, 1pm to 4pm, on Parliament Hill.  Lots of people should be there!

Over the past 50 years we have lived through a period of unprecedented growth; and since most of the people around today were born during this period we think of it as normal and sustainable; but it isn't. 

We are abusing the planet and endangering the future lives and wellbeing of future generations (our kids, grand kids and beyond).  We now consume not just to meet our needs (they have long been satisfied) but rather to meet our wants; and given our creative ability our wants may never be satisfied.  Consumerism, at the level it is practiced today is considered by many to be an inter-generational crime.  Dr. David Suzuki referred to this during his Green Week lecture in Ottawa this November. 

We are addicted to stuff and are obsessed with growth; our politicians and corporations keep feeding this frenzy by placing the economy, a defective human construct, above everything else. 

We have a responsibility to create a new economy, a new paradigm for happiness.  And it must be done quickly or we risk annihilation of our species on this planet. 

The coming holiday season provides a great opportunity to change some of our past behaviors and reduce our seasonal footprint.  Let's meet and exchange ideas on how we can do it.  How can we do more with less?  How will it really affect the quality of our lives to reuse or redistribute many of the unused items we own?  Donate an unwanted item if you wish.  We will put it up for auction. 

Manuel Costa will lead the discussion.  Come and make your voice heard.

Meeting starts 7:00 - 9:00pm, Mon., Dec. 7th, 2009. 

Location: Canterbury Community Centre, Multi Room 3,

2185 Arch Street, K1G 2H5 

http://www.ottawasouthgreenparty.ca/

Phone Colin at: (613) 739-2784

The next Dialogue for Democracy forum will take place:

Date: Monday, November 9, 2009

Time: 7:15 pm to 9:30 pm

Location: Canterbury Community Centre, Multi-Room 4

2185 Arch Street

K1G 2H5

The discussion will be led by Dr. Qais Ghanem

Only a year ago, during the federal election campaign, Canadians were busy expressing their anxiety about the state of health care in the country, and politicians, hoping to be elected, jumped on the bandwagon, lamenting the deterioration in health care delivery.

But then all that was drowned in the seemingly more urgent story of the economic crisis, which is threatening to get even worse, and to therefore distract Canadian voters yet again.  We need to bring the health care crisis back on the agenda.  Here are some issues that require action:

Last year the Canadian Medical Association published some startling facts:

• - Almost 5 million Canadians have no family doctor. An additional 4.5 million could be without one, if nothing is done to improve the situation.
• - Canada ranks number 24 in the Organizationforf Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in terms of physician-population ratio.
• - Canada would need 26,000 more doctors right now to catch up with the OECD average.
• - Canada spends only one third of the OECD average on information technology (e.g. electronic medical records) and diagnostic equipment (e.g. MRI scanners)
• - Amongst OECD countries, our wait time for access to specialty care services is among the longest!

Dialogue for Democracy (D4D) provides a forum for citizens to share their views and questions in an open, friendly environment. "Experts" introduce the subject of the day, and answer questions, but all attendees have a turn to speak. That's the D4D difference.  We would like to hear from you; come and make your voice heard!

Call Colin at 613-739-2784

September 18, 2009

To the Leader and Federal Council members of the Green Party of Canada

The executive team of the Green Party of Canada, Ottawa South EDA is asking the Leader and other senior decision makers within the GPC to formally voice its opposition to a general election.  Current posturing by the leadership of the federal parties in parliament to entertain the possibility of yet another untimely election offers an opportunity for the GPC to differentiate itself from them in the eyes of the Canadian public. 

Firstly, it is evident that most Canadians do not want an election and it is unlikely that the resulting parliament will change substantially in make up; except that another $300 million of public money will have been wasted and most parties will be even further in debt.  

Secondly, there are no substantial issues on which to justify running an election.  The parties are exactly where they were 12 months ago.  Holding an election at this point is a complete folly.

From the GPC website one is given the impression we are all eager to get this show on the road.  It is disappointing that no opposition to an election is being demonstrated.  The desire to help win our Leader, Elizabeth May, is understandable but having to go through the expense and turmoil of a nationwide election campaign to achieve this goal is unrealistic. 

The party might realize a better result for Elizabeth through a by-election when voters often express their voting preferences differently without too much risk overall for the party that they normally support. 

Therefore we respectfully urge the party leadership and Federal Founcil to reconsider its public position and to stand opposed to a general election.  This does not mean that we should not continue to prepare for an election; we have to be ready.  But it will give us an opportunity to say "told you so" to the other parties and will likely enhance our public image.

We trust that you will give serious consideration to this proposal and look forward to hearing back from you in the near future.

Yours sincerely,

The Executive of the Green Party of Canada, Ottawa South EDA

Colin Hine, CEO

Pieter Helmke, Financial Agent

Michael Pilon, Membership Chair

Manuel Costa, Executive Member at Large

Qais Ghanem, Executive Member at Large and Nominated Candidate

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Qais Ghanem is the nominated Green Party of Canada candidate for Ottawa South.  Qais was the only candidate to submit a nomination application to the party head office for approval, following party nomination procedures.  

It is very pleasing to see a person of Qais' stature come forward.  In the last election Qais succeeded in increasing the popular vote for the Green Party of Canada in the riding to it's highest level yet.  We are confident that he will build on that success in the coming campaign for the 41st General Federal Election. 

During the 2008 federal campaign, Qais Ghanem made a commitment to all of voters in Ottawa South; to maintain regular dialogue with members of the Ottawa South community and to provide a forum to voice their views and concerns,  He has honored this commitment hosting monthly non-partisan grass-roots meetings (Dialogue for Democracy) focusing on important issues, providing people the opportunity to express their views in a non-threatening environment, and providing an opportunity for local politicians and others to respond.  

A variety of topics have been discussed including electoral reform, international affairs (Darfur), health care and the state of democracy in Canada.  We will continue with this dialogue in coming months.  We will also be asking voters what issues are most important to them for the government to address. 

It is likely that there will be a general election call this fall.  We will no doubt know one way or the other within the next few days.  So you might soon receive a knock on your door asking for your support.  Things you can do now to help us include: 

• Please join the Green Party, ensure that your membership is up to date.  You can join or donate through our web site.
• Volunteer, there are many ways we need help: putting up signs, campaigning door to door, telephoning, helping voters get to the polls.  You can volunteer though our web site or phone 613-739-2784.  
• Display a Green Party sign.
• Attend local Green Party meeting/events. 
• Donate what you can, no amount is too small.
• Attend all-candidate meetings in your neighborhood. 

Keep watching the web site for updates.

Dear Friends of the Ottawa South Green Party,

The Green Party of Canada, Ottawa South Electoral District Association (EDA) hereby opens the nomination contest to choose the next candidate to represent the Green Party of Canada in the 41st General Federal Election. The Green Party would like to continue building on its success by being prepared for the next election in advance.  Under the current government, it is very possible there will be an election call within a year. 

Candidates are the ambassadors of the Green Party and should be familiar with the policies and principles of the GPC, comfortable with public speaking and the issues, able to communicate succinctly and effectively, and be a member of the Green Party of Canada. To review the nomination rules go to: http://www.greenparty.ca/files/nomination_procedures_march2009.pdf

To become a member able to vote at a nomination meeting or to meet the eligibility requirements to be a candidate you must be a member 30 days in advance of a nomination meeting, so please renew or join the Green Party of Canada at: http://www.greenparty.ca/

The nomination period closes July 30th. By that date, all prospective contestants must have submitted their complete application to the Green Party Office, as outlined in the nominations procedures.  Late entries will not be considered.  You may contact the Campaign Committee (contact information below) or Nicole Parker, Regional Organizer, for more details, candidate application forms and nomination procedures (available in English and French).

A nomination meeting or acclamation notice will be sent out by the EDA in the coming weeks after all nomination contestants have been determined. Then it will be up to you, the members of the Ottawa-South EDA, to select our next candidate!

Please mark these important dates on your calendar: 

Wednesday, July 15th - Nominations Open

Thursday, July 30th - Nominations Close

Wednesday, August 5th - Approved Nomination Candidates are Announced

Saturday, August 29th - Deadline for Nomination Candidates to Sign-Up New Members  

Thank you,

Colin Hine, CEO

Green Party of Canada, Ottawa-South EDA

613-739-2784

The State of Democracy in Canada

Ottawa City councillor Clive Doucet opened up the meeting with some observations on current issues and events.  Unfortunately Clive had to leave early because of prior commitment but his comments stimulated much discussion amongst participants.  Following is a summary of comments from Clive and others during the course of the meeting.

In Canada, as in many other countries, many aspects of the democratic process are still quite superficial.  Inadequate controls are in place and there is still no real accountability by the people in power.  Successive governments have encouraged degradation of Canada's nation institutions:

e.g. the health care system and CN Rail.  At the local level, facilities and infrastructure have been allowed to degrade.  In almost every case, after allowing these institutions to fail universal solutions appear to favor privatization in some form. 

• In the health care system privatization of selected services and hospitals is seen by many as a viable solution. 
• After CN failed due to lack of adequate financial support from government it was privatized and is now virtually a U.S. focused company.  Canadian based services and facilities continue to degenerate. 
• The City of Ottawa has allowed facilities like Lansdowne Part to degenerate and crumble year after year.  The City is now considering a sole source contract arrangement with a developer group that will virtually take over develop and operate the entire Lansdowne facility for a period of some 30 years returning it to the City's care just in time for its mid-life refit. 

On Saturday May 9th Ottawa South Green Party members and friends participated in a spring clean-up on Pleasant Park Road, along Lynda Lane and in Lynda Lane Park.  The event was publicized and organized by local party membership chair Dr. Michael Pilon.  Over 12 people, young and not so young, turned out to help on a rainy morning.

The area along both sides of Lynda Lane yielded a lot of refuse, most of it from Ottawa Hospital visitors who park there daily in great numbers.  Some 14 bags of garbage and waste were picked up in less than 2 hours.  An amazing variety of items was collected including a selection of condoms; diapers; liquor bottles; plastic shopping bags; beer and soft drink cans/bottles; as well as many Tim Horton's cups.  It is shameful and disturbing that so much trash is dumped on public property.  One wonders if visitors parking on hospital property dispose of trash and garbage in the same way. 

Construction waste, bricks and other items, have also been dumped in the area.  City of Ottawa officials have indicated that they will have this waste removed.  The City helped in another way too, by kindly loaning garbage picking tools.  These helped reduce the amount of back bending involved. 

Thanks to all those who participated in the clean-up.  The Lynda Lane area looks a lot tidier now, for a day or two anyway! 

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place at St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican church, Alta vista on Tuesday, April 21, 2009.

 Here is the new executive committee approved at the meeting:

CEO: Colin Hine

Financial Agent: Pieter Helmke

Membership Chair: Michael Pilon

Members at large: Qais Ghanem; Manuel Costa

 See the Contact page for further details.  more information to follow.

Dear Green Party of Canada Member,

The Annual General Meeting of the Green Party of Canada: Ottawa South Electoral district Association will take place on:  Tuesday April 21, 2009 at 7:00 pm - 9:00pm

Location:  St Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church, 2345 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, ON

(next to the fire station at Randall)