Rallying around the call for 350 On October 24, people in 181 countries came together for more than 5,200 events in the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. People united globally to call on world leaders for a strong and effective climate change agreement coming out of negotiations in Copenhagen this December. Across the country and around the world people rallied around the number “350” – coined by the 350.org campaign to reflect the 350 parts per million that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Events on October 24 ranged from underwater demonstrations in the Maldives to a "circle of hope" at the White House in Washington. In Canada, 350 people in Whitehorse joined hands to form a circle around the Yukon Legislature. In Vancouver, the Cambie Bridge was closed to cars as 350 people took part in a salsa dance for the planet. In Calgary, the "Nightmare Before Copenhagen" costume parade travelled along the Bow River. The Council of Canadians joined millions of others taking action on October 24. Council chapters held events in communities across the country, which you can see by clicking here. In Saint John, New Brunswick, we joined local residents and organizations to host “Climate (of) Change: Rally for people and the planet” as part of our Annual General Meeting which took place there that weekend. Check out our photo gallery here and read our press release here.

PHOTO: Climate (of) Change: Rally for people and the planet in Saint John New Brunswick.   Support our work – Donate now The Council of Canadians is a non-profit organization and does not accept money from corporations or governments. Our work is sustained by the generous donations of concerned Canadians who share our vision and commitment to action. Join Canada’s largest advocacy organization and people who believe that a better Canada – and a better world – is possible. Become a member or make a donation today. Sign up! Want to stay up to date on Council of Canadians’ news, activities and hard-hitting analysis? Enter your e-mail address »

Take Action today!

Tell your MP that the world needs decisive, tough action on climate change in Coppenhagen this December. Canada needs to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. We need a global deal that leads to real emission reductions. It must be fair and equitable, including stronger commitments and actions by the Global North. Click here to see all the latest updates and action alerts.

Here’s more about what’s new at the Council of Canadians:

• Privatization main goal of Canada-EU trade talks
• WIN! Nova Scotia government announces plans for legislated ban on uranium mining and exploration
• This holiday season give the gift of social and economic justice
• Coalition urges action to save the open Internet in Canada
• Maude Barlow joins prominent people and celebrities on Poetic Social Mission for water
• Take Action! Oppose B.C.’s Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act
• Join the Council of Canadians today!
  

Privatization main goal of Canada-EU trade talks

The first of five planned rounds of secret trade negotiations recently got underway in Ottawa for the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a major trade deal between Canada and the 27-nation European bloc. Media reports indicate that the deal would extend far beyond free trade and investment into the integration of manufacturing standards, government contracting, food standards and labour mobility.

The Council of Canadians has been raising awareness about this proposed deal, which will put pressure on provincial governments to privatize public services, including in areas such as water, transportation, child care and public health care. Through the expansive deal, Canadian corporations are looking for better access to the European market without having to meet stricter EU rules. European negotiators want Canadian services contracts, with the aim of transferring the $22-billion our local governments spend annually on public priorities into corporate profits.

Take Action!
Tell your MP you oppose this unfair trade deal. Click here for a sample letter to send today.

Check out our new fact sheet to learn more about impacts of the Canada-European trade agreement. Click here to read it.

WIN! Nova Scotia government announces plans for legislated ban on uranium mining and exploration

The Nova Scotia government recently announced its intention to formalize a provincial ban on uranium mining and exploration in law. The decision is welcome news to Council of Canadians' members and activists who, along with other Nova Scotia residents and organizations, have been pushing the government for a legislated ban to replace a cabinet policy statement that has been in place since 1981.

According to a Canadian Press report, Nova Scotia Natural Resources Minister John MacDonnell says a legislated moratorium will make it more difficult for future governments to rescind or change the law. The legislation, he said in other media reports, comes as a result of strong public pressure.

The Council of Canadians has called for a legislated moratorium on uranium exploration and mining through grassroots chapter work, public meetings, statements, action alerts, media work, a tour, and other activities.

Council of Canadians board member and chapter activist Marion Moore described in the Autumn 2008 issue of Canadian Perspectives how people came together to fight for this legislation. "Since the initial (public) meeting, other groups around the province began to organize. We have formed both local and provincial coalitions, started a letter-writing campaign, contacted our local papers, met with our provincial MLAs, and held other public meetings and film screenings. We have produced postcards, petitions, fact sheets, brochures and blogs, and have arranged for three municipalities to pass resolutions calling on the Nova Scotia government to bring in a legislated ban on uranium mining. We have also participated in the provincial government's Voluntary Planning Process on Natural Resources, with strong submissions opposing uranium mining."

Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard for this win!

For more information about the dangers of uranium mining and our position on it, please see the following links:

Fact sheet | Position statement

This holiday season give the gift of social and economic justice

Are you searching to find that special gift for a loved one?  Consider giving a Council of Canadians gift membership to friends and family. Social and environmental justice is always in style!

You’ll be helping the Council’s work to promote clean water, fair trade, energy security and public health care for everyone. You will also be providing your loved one with an opportunity to learn more about these issues, and information on how to get involved in the fight for a better Canada and a more just world.

With your gift of a Council of Canadians membership, we will prepare a package that includes:

• A personalized holiday card advising them of your gift;
• Their 2010 membership card;
• The most recent issue of our informative magazine, Canadian Perspectives, and other current campaign information.

Visit our website today for more information, or contact our membership department at 1-800-387-7177 if you have any questions.

Happy holidays! And thank you for helping us to create a better Canada and a fairer world.

Coalition urges action to save the open Internet in Canada

The SaveOurNet.ca coalition, a broad alliance of groups fighting for a free and open Internet, called a recent Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decision on internet traffic management (net neutrality) “a step in the right direction,” but warned it doesn't go far enough to protect online innovation and consumer choice.

While analysis on the decision contains mixed reviews, there continue to be concerns about Internet Service Providers’ control over both content and Internet connections, restricting the rights of users.

The CRTC's ruling comes despite broad consensus that meaningful and enforceable rules are needed to protect the open Internet in Canada. Both the Liberal and New Democratic Parties have publicly advocated for Net Neutrality, as have leading businesses and consumers rights groups. Thousands of Canadians support Net Neutrality and many have voiced their opinions directly to their Members of Parliament and to the CRTC itself.

"The Internet should be a commons that prioritizes equitable access to information over commercialization," says Dylan Penner, Media Officer with the Council of Canadians. "Given the growing number of media outlets in crisis, net neutrality is an increasingly essential principle for ensuring public participation in what can and must be a much more democratic media system."

To read the media release click here.

Maude Barlow joins prominent people and celebrities on Poetic Social Mission for water

Earlier this month Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow joined David Suzuki, U2, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and others as part of Guy Laliberté’s Poetic Social Mission to space to help raise awareness about important water issues around the world, including the global freshwater crisis. This global artistic event was broadcast live and viewed by millions around the world.

“My hope is that the Poetic Social Mission moves not just stars and Earth for water, but our elected officials,” says Barlow. “The world urgently needs a UN ‘blue covenant’ that would protect water as a commons, ensure equity of access, and prioritize environmental restoration.”

You can watch the Poetic Social Mission event on onedrop.org (Maude appears in the London segment).

Take Action! Oppose B.C.’s Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act

A proposed British Columbia law would allow municipal officials in Whistler, Vancouver and Richmond, B.C. to enter homes with just 24 hours notice and seize “unauthorized” anti-Olympic signs.

Bill 13, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, was introduced on October 8 to amend the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act. So-called “violators” of the law could be fined up to $10,000 a day and jailed up to six months. The law would allow the three host municipalities to remove unauthorized signs during the period of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, February 1 to March 31.

Legal experts say the definition of an unapproved sign is open to interpretation. The BC Civil Liberties Association has been warning for several months that the vague wording might be used against anti-Olympic signs or promotions for anti-Olympic events or material, according to recent news reports.

The Council of Canadians has started to raise concerns about key Olympic sponsors – including Coca-Cola/ Dasani bottled water – and how corporations use the Olympics to “greenwash” their business practices. We intend to distribute signs and materials with messages reflective of these concerns.

Take action!
Write local, provincial and national representatives to say that you support free speech and that you do not believe this fundamental right should be suspended during the Olympic Games. To see our action alert and a full list of elected representatives to write to click here.

To see our latest fact sheets on our concerns with the 2010 Olympic Games go here.