Canadian Perspectives 2004
Talkback: Letters from the membership
Just Enough
I love the new Canadian Perspectives: it’s bright, easy to handle, and wisely limits its articles to one page. I expect that many of your readers, like myself, subscribe to a number of progressive publications – all informative and interesting – but too often so filled with information that we don’t read all the articles. What I appreciate about the one-page format is that it introduces a subject or idea leaving us to choose which oness we want to investigate further at more length.
Alma Norman
Ottawa, Ontario
Making the Time
As a graduate student in international development and rural extension studies, I know how easy it is for everyday citizens to be bogged down in the rhetoric or public policy and politics in general. The Canada We Want: A Citizens’ Alternative to Deep Integration, however, offers an excellent breakdown of some of the more pressing issues facing all Canadians today. You’ve inspired me to begin a letter writing campaign and to become more involved in politics even here at the local level. In our busy lives it is sometimes hard to make time and in the wake of so much controversy and apathy, so many people seem to forget that we can really only make a difference by standing up and making our voices heard, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.
Mary Rankin
Guelph, Ontario
On-Line Articles
I receive Canadian Perspectives in the mail. Usually there are several articles that I’d like to send to various people in power, whether it be politicians, business people or personal contacts. Is there a way to pick these up separately on-line for e-mailing purposes?
Allan Westlake
Toronto, Ontario
Editor’s Note: Individual articles from Canadian Perspectives are posted on www.canadians.org under the campaign areas. For example, Jean-Yves Lefort’s article “Trade Wreck” can be found under “Trade Campaign.”
Subscribing to CP
I was wondering if you offer subscriptions to Canadian Perspectives so that I could have it mailed to my house.
Lindsay Day
Editor’s Note: When you become a member of the Council of Canadians, you automatically receive a one-year subscription to Canadian Perspectives. To join the Council, call 1 800 387-7177.
The Voter’s Guide
The Voter’s Guide was an excellent publication, and it was great to be able to distribute it. I received 200 and distributed a number of them to people I knew and left the rest in popular progressive restaurants and bakeries around Whitehorse. It helped people I talked to focus on the issues that were important to them, and completely politicized one friend of mine. I believe it helped to show the relevance of the political process and of voting. If you have other publications, you can contact me to see if I’m interested in distributing them. Thanks very much for coming up with this great publication – a wonderful idea!
Diana van Eyk
Whitehorse, Yukon
Hope for Our Battered Planet
You bring us tremendous feelings of hope during a very dark year for humanity worldwide. Everything you are tackling is of such importance for the future, not only for Canada, but also for our battered planet. We thank Maude Barlow and the Council for working so devotedly on every front to galvanize people of good will. We wish you continued success in the battles you are conducting on our behalf. And again, our deep thanks for your commitment to solve the crucial issues you have so skillfully identified.
Arnold and Betty Issenman
Montreal, Québec
Making a difference
I have just finished reading Canadian Perspectives from cover to cover. I’ve done this for five years and each year I tell myself that I must write Maude Barlow and thank her for her work. When I read about her or see a picture of her, I’m reminded that one person can make a difference, that she does make a difference, and that so can I.
Ab Ryan
Napanee, ON
More unfair trade with Martin
The last issue of Canadian Perspectives (“Victory in Cancun!,” Autumn 2003) was one of the most powerfully inspiring documents I have read. Although the main theme of the issue was the defeat of another World Trade Organization attempt to control certain areas of peoples’ lives throughout the world, the individual articles provided a common thread toward that success. The exposé of Canada’s former Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew’s biased, arrogant and bullying tactics toward countries that opposed or even questioned the agenda of the World Trade Organization’s leadership should be known by all Canadians. Since the new prime minister, Paul Martin (“the 12 million dollar man”), was a long standing powerful member of the Canadian government that gave the green light to Pettigrew “to isolate hard-line opponents” to the QUAD’s agenda, I personally doubt that there will be any change to the “kick-up/kick-down” mentality of Canadian representatives toward others during future negotiations for some time.
Norris Valiquette
Little Current, ON
Reading the fine print
The autumn issue of Canadian Perspectives looks terrific. I think the addition of colour has added a great deal to the attractiveness of the design. Maybe it’s more a function of my age than a flaw in the layout, but the print is too small. I don’t think you have to go up much more in size, but you may want to try a different font.
Kathryn-Jane Hazel
Nanaimo, BC
Editor’s Note: With this issue, we have moved to a larger font to increase readability. I hope readers find it easier on their eyes.
