SECTIONS

Canadian Perspectives 2003

Talkback: Letters from the membership

Defending the Tay River
Our family is in wholehearted support of the Council’s initiative to block the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s decision to allow the Swiss-based transnational OMYA corporation to drain staggering amounts of water from the Tay River and its basin. We have watched the whole process with horror – the OMYA application (which sounded like a demand of entitlement rather than a request) for much more water; the Ministry’s astounding overruling of the thorough review and considered rejection of OMYA’s application by the duly constituted Environmental Review Panel; the peril of the Tay River and associated basin we know so well; and the exponential peril to Canada and its water resources posed by the granting of the OMYA application under the obligations of our NAFTA membership.

The consequences for all Canadians of the precedent set by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment sell-out to narrow special interests is staggering, as you have pointed out so clearly. We hope that many others will respond to the Council’s call to action and leadership on this issue.

The Ensom family
Ottawa, ON

Creating Waves of Change
Here in somewhat isolated Campbell River it is easy to feel as if we are not part of the action and not really important at all. The dozen or so of us in our chapter continue to meet as if we were the twelve apostles, committed to doing whatever it is we are able to do. Not much really in the grand scheme of things, but important in its own way because, as Maude said at a public meeting the other night, “The people in this auditorium are all part and parcel of a worldwide connection of people who care about the world in which we live and the people who live on this planet.”

And it is true. Whenever our small group meets we are among very special people. The world is truly changing in small but significant ways, and collectively we are making positive differences. That is why I feel so privileged to be part of our chapter, to be a member of the Council of Canadians, to be among you as part of a group that is making a difference locally; our ripples are expanding over the pond meeting ripples made by other small groups, and together we are all creating waves on which common sense will prevail for common people.

So hang in, hang on, and be proud of what you do. It does count.

Peter Johnson
Campbell River, BC

US Actions Leading to More War
As a former American who has come to value very strongly Canada’s social, economic and cultural policies and their concern for Canadians of all social and economic classes, I am alarmed to contemplate subordination of refugee and immigration policies to American control, to see the growth of cultural dominance which will necessarily follow greater economic dominance, and to see Canada become another U.S. satellite. Economic dependence on the U.S. has brought high levels of suffering to too many countries; attempts to dislodge it once it is established all too often have led to military intervention.

I am also very much afraid of the costs to Canada of becoming involved in U.S. foreign policy through co-operation in military and security operations and policies. The U.S. has alienated significant portions of the world’s populations, and the direction of its foreign policy appears to be aimed at causing yet another World War.

I feel that my fear is justified, especially in light of recent events. Is the ability to attract foreign capital justification for selling our souls?

Daniel J. Geagan
Dundas, ON

Collecting signatures for public health care

Dear Maude,

Just in case you think your Huntsville supporters have given up, we wanted you to know that we are still alive and kicking, and have enclosed a little proof our efforts. In the spring, we optimistically ran off 1,000 copies of the Council’s letter regarding our endangered health care system. With the help of about six senior citizens, we set up a booth in the local mall and at the end of the day we were rewarded with 700 signed letters. Instead of sending this heavy box of letters back to you, we decided to present them to our local MP Andy Mitchell, and he very agreeably promised to take them personally to the Prime Minister’s office. We are now doing what we can with your latest water petition. A year or so ago, on an earlier water petition, we were successful in sending 1,000 signed petitions back to the Council. We are so impressed with what you are able to accomplish that conscience keeps driving us on.

Jean Hunter
Pat Alcock
Margaret Binns
Huntsville, ON

(from left to right) Pat Alcock, Margaret Binns, Elizabeth McIver, Jean Hunter, Joanne Chipperfield, and Norman Alcock collect signatures at the Huntsville Place Mall.

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updated October 11, 2006