Charting a Better Course: Annual General Meeting promotes alternatives to deep integration

by Donna James

In October 2006, chapter activists and social justice advocates from across North America converged in Charlottetown, P.E.I., for the Council of Canadians’ 21st Annual General Meeting. In a dynamic series of panel discussions and workshops, participants discussed their vision of a better strategy for Canada-U.S. relations – one that puts the interests of people before those of large corporations. Here are some of the highlights:

PHOTO: Members of the Maine-based Beehive Design Collective
co-presented a workshop about how art can be used as a tool of resistance in the face of the proposed Atlantica regional trade corridor. (photo by Victoria Gibb-Carsley)

Dr. Claudia Fegan

Dr. Fegan is a past president of Physicians for a National Health Program and is currently the medical director of Fantus Health Center, one of the largest primary care centres in the U.S. It serves over 2,000 patients per day, seven days a week. Most of her patients are uninsured.

“The struggle for justice is a continual one that requires vigilance. Tommy Douglas understood this. He spent his later years in life fighting to defend his beloved medicare and ensure forces that sought to move towards a U.S. style of health care financing did not erode it.”

Steven Staples

Steven Staples is founder of Ceasefire.ca and director of the Rideau Institute. The Council of Canadians recently commissioned him to write a report which was launched at the annual general meeting: Marching Orders: How Canada abandoned peacekeeping – and why the UN needs us now more than ever.

“The Marching Orders report commissioned by the Council has an important message that confronts directly the misinformation and, dare I say, lies, that are being put out across this country that say peacekeeping is dead and Canada has no role in peacekeeping any more. This is patently untrue. We are launching an effort here to alert Canadians to the fact that peacekeeping is more vibrant than ever … and we have to return to it.”

Mary Boyd

In recognition of her consistent leadership and commitment to human rights issues at the local, regional, national and international levels, Mary Boyd was given the Council of Canadians’ Activist of the Year Award. From the Martin Luther King, Jr. march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1963 to the World Water Forum in Mexico City in 2006, Boyd has played a key role in promoting justice around the world. She is currently the Chair of the P.E.I. Health Coalition, the Secretary on the P.E.I. KAIROS Anti-Poverty Committee and Treasurer of the Diocesan Council.

“If religion is the opiate of the people, charity is the opiate of the rich.”

Leo Broderick

In recognition and deep gratitude for his outstanding contribution to The Council of Canadians as a board member, vice-chair and committed activist, Leo Broderick received the Ken Wardroper Founder’s Award. A wellknown community and peace activist, Leo Broderick is a retired school teacher, former president of the PEI Teachers’ Federation and the former vice-president of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation. As Vice-Chair of the Council of Canadians he has worked tirelessly to promote public health care, fight against water privatization and push for progressive policies in trade and other areas. Leo Broderick accepts his award from Maude Barlow.

PHOTO: Leo Broderick accepts his award from Maude Barlow. (photo by Victoria Gibb-Carsley)

To hear all of the speeches from the Council of Canadians’ 2006 AGM, click here.

Donna James is the Executive Assistant for The Council of Canadians and coordinates the Council’s AGM.

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updated March 7, 2007