Leadership on the Seal Hunt Should Come from Within Canada, Not From Without

The European Union has moved to ban all seal products from animals who were killed inhumanely. Finally! They have been threatening to do so for long enough now, and it is a very welcome move that they have made.

This step is needed if we ever hope to actually make a difference and end the brutality of the annual seal hunt. If the trade becomes no longer economically viable, there will be no incentive for sealers to commit their horrendous acts. Instead, perhaps, they could transform their industry into one based on tourism. I personally would love to take a boat tour out to see the seals in their natural habitat, swimming playfully without the fear of being scalped, skinned, and beaten to death.

Afghanistan Just Not Worth the Cost

It was with a heavy heart that I saw and read ctv's article where new Chief of Defence Staff Walter Natynczyk admitted that the situation in Afghanistan is "worsening." If this is indeed the case, then there is truly no point in Canada remaining there. Soldiers' lives are being lost far too rapidly, and apparently, there is no benefit coming from this. If there lives were not lost in vain, Natynczyk would have said the situation was improving, not worsening.

Cellphones and Kids: Why Risk It?

In light of Toronto's recommendation that children minimize their cellphone usage, many individuals and organizations have struck back, arguing that since the science on the matter is inconclusive, we should just assume it's safe.

Even Health Canada has stated that there is no scientific evidence against that. Should our national health agency not be taking a more precautionary and preventative stance on the issue? Should we not wait until cell phones are declared safe to use before we allow our children to use them extensively?

If it is true that cell phones are harmless for kids, then so be it. However, if we find out in a few years that this is not the case, we may have exposed thousands of children to irreparable damage and harm. The risk just isn't worth it.

The World Needs More Leaders like Nelson Mandela

Despite being 90 years old, former South African President Nelson Mandela is still working to make the world a better place in which to live. Not only did he bring the racist apartheid regime to an end, he has continued to fight against tyranny and exploitation of the vulnerable.

The BBC reports that he used the occasion of his 90th birthday to encourage the rich to look beyond their own interests and reach out to the poor and improve their situation in life. This selfless and honorable leadership is what we need in the world.

We need less squabling over foreign aid and loans - we need to start tackling problems in a hands-on manner. Wishing problems to go away in the developing world will not see them disappear, only concerted effort and ingenuity will produce results. Ignoring problems simply because they are not local issues to us shows ignorance, stupidity, and pettiness.

Thank you, Nelson Mandela, for inspiring us and encouraging us to make the world a better place.

We Must Stay True to our Roots

In today's Globe and Mail, Lawrence Martin, with the support of NDP candidate Micheal Byers, writes that we should consider dropping the "New" from our party's name. I must emphatically oppose this advice and urge all other New Democrats to join me.

The principles we hold so strongly today resonate from our past and our origins. We cannot turn or back on who we are, just because some people prefer things to be new and shiny. From our inception, we stood up for the vulnerable and the voiceless; we proudly continue to do so today.

I am proud of our roots and would be very sad to see us turn our backs on our history.

The Media Should Stop Making Light of Serious Stories

I was quite upset when I read this story on the Ottawa Sun's website this morning. It makes light of a very serious issue, drunk driving. Just because the man in question was driving a lawn mower rather than a conventional motor vehicle, doesn't mean that he wasn't a threat to other people.

The story leads off with the line, "imagine what his lawn looks like," which is a disgusting attempt to make his crime seem less of a crime and more of a hilarious anecdote. Dangerous driving is never a joke; people's lives and bodily integrity could have been at risk.

I encourage the Ottawa Citizen to stop making light of impaired driving - it's never a joke.

Good to the NDP Active on the Issues Even in the Summer

Although it is now the middle of July, it is excellent to see that our NDP caucus and leadership has not gone on holiday. They are continuing to stand up, speak out, and fight for the right s and privileges of ordinary Canadians.

We've taken a very strong stand against the horrible and intrusive decision by Bell and Telus to announce that cell phone users would be required to pay for incoming text messages, both solicited and non-solicited. The party's website features a prominent and direct campaign aimed at restoring fairness to the consumer. Text messages are already paid for when they are sent, and now these companies want to double-charge and get money for delivering them to consumers. Good for the NDP for swiftly, strongly, and effectively condemning this unfair cash grab!

Also, we have continued to speak out on human rights injustices as well; just this morning I read an article about the terrible trade agreement Canada recently signed with Columbia, including a cause which calls for the government to just pay a fine when union activists are murdered. I'm proud to see that NDP members Jack Layton and Peter Julian have been speaking out against this deplorable agreement.

We can never take a vacation from standing up for our principles. Good job for the NDP for standing up for what we believe in year-round!

Economists Predict Dollars to Rise

Canada's government ought to pay a lot more attention and concern to the fact that Canada's dollar is predicted to rise again in the coming months and into 2009. According to a ctv.ca story, the dollars is currently undervalued and ought to be well above parity with the American dollar. We, as New Democrats, need to keep this issue in the media and on the government's agenda. With this problem not appearing to abate or disappear anytime soon, even more manufacturing and trade-dependent jobs will be at risk of weakening or being permanently eliminated,

Stephen Harper Leading G8 Distractions from Climate Change Crisis

This year's G8 summit in Japan provided an excellent opportunity to focus on the great environmental challenges which threaten our world today: climate change, food prices, and unsustainable energy creation and prices. Instead, Stephen Harper has led a charge among G8 leaders to condemn the recent election in Zimbabwe.

Although I do not disagree that the election was concerning and troubling, this distraction has allowed the agenda to be hijacked away from environmental issues which will harm citizens from all countries and continents. Why could they not have led off with climate change and then talked about Mugabe at a late stage of the conference? I am afraid that climate change will be forgotten in media coverage of the summit.

Tough Talk from David Miller a Refreshing Blast of Honesty

In light of the recent and disappointing U.S. Supreme Court overturning the Washington D.C. ban on handguns, Toronto mayor David Miller spoke directly to the impact this will have on the safety of Torontonians and Canadians. He declared that "the easy supply of handguns in the U.S. leads directly to people being killed in Toronto. It's that direct."

I am sick and tired of gun lovers pretending that easy access to weapons does not have an impact on the amount of people being wounded and killed with firearms. I appreciate the mayor's blunt honesty in this matter.

Guns are dangerous and deadly weapons, and only when we as a society come to see that the harm they pose far outweighs any benefit will be able to solve this problem. David Miller is truly helping this cause by directly explaining the lives at risk when guns are in easy and cheap supply.

This Changes Nothing in My Mind

Even though a federal court has struck down portions of Justice Gomery's report which assigned some blame to Jean Chretien for the Sponsorship Scandal, it changes nothing in my mind. Jean Chretien definitely deserves to receive some blame for allowing it to occur under his watch.

What about the concept of ministerial responsibility? When something goes wrong or
becomes unacceptable in a Minister's department, it is considered the fault of the Minister in question. When something goes so abysmally criminal and corrupt in a government, the Prime Minister needs to accept responsibility for it.

This just further goes to show the corrupt nature of the Liberal Party. Only the NDP has the courage to stand up against Stephen Harper and maintain ethical integrity.

Even Barack Obama Sees How Bad the Oil Sands are, so why not Stephen Harper?

Likely U.S. President Barack Obama has come out swinging against the Alberta oil sands. He has committed himself to lessening the use of the most environmentally unfriendly sources of oil. At the same time, Stephen Harper has yet to condemn the Alberta tar sands for the poisonous cocktail of chemicals and greenhouse gases they spew into the atmosphere.

Stephen Harper is, sadly, the most pro-American Prime Minster we have ever had; so why won't he follow the lead of an American?

Study After Study, yet Little Action Taken

According to news articles, yet another study has been released condemning a tobacco product for their damaging health effects, which will likely produce no tangible results. The 2006-2007 Youth Smoking Survey from the University of Waterloo addresses the dangers posed by cigarillos,which are flavoured mini-cigars. With flavours such as vanilla, strawberry, mint, peach, etc., the temptation can be great for young children to try them.

The government needs to actually do something to make it impossible (or, at the very least, very, very difficult) for children to purchase these yummy, but deadly, cancer sticks. Young people are trying cigars, cigarillos, and cigarettes at alarming rates, and we need to do anything we can to discourage them from doing so.

Anything that can harm and kill the way these cigarillos can should not be allowed to taste or look like candy. It's time the government actually struck back at tobacco producers, desperate to maximize profits and hook new customers.

Society needs to take care of our most vulnerable members

The Toronto Star's website has an article today describing the desperate and dire challenges faced by homeless women in Canada. The anecdotes and statistics listed are shocking and deplorable. It is a shameful fact that a country as wealthy and successful and Canada has people suffering in this manner.

Homeless women are ten times as likely as homeless men to have been the victim of sexual assault and twice as likely to suffer from a mental illness. With so many services directed at homeless men, women often suffer in silence with few options to lift themselves out of their situation. Canada needs to make a concentrated effort to do something to alleviate this problem.

We need to ensure that these women are treated as victims and not dismissed as burdens, rejects, or criminals.

First Post

For my first real post I would like to discuss the end of this past session of the House of Commons. I am particularly proud of the role played by Jack Layton and the entire New Democratic caucus in standing up to oppose Stephen Harper's harmful and insulting policies.

While Stephane Dion and the Liberals have avoided their duty to oppose, when the NDP sees an objectionable policy (which most of them are), they oppose it not only with rhetoric but also with votes. From tax cuts to huge corporations to bully tactics against the Canadian Wheat, the NDP has been clear, consistent, and principled on all the issues.

I hope that over the summer, the NDP caucus and candidates will continue to speak up for ordinary Canadians across the country. We need to continue to work hard to ensure that individuals and families are not left voiceless and vulnerable.

Starting a Blog

Hello!

I'm new to blogging, although I have enjoyed reading many blogs for a little while now. I hope to contribute to the NDP cause and work to see more New Democrats elected to the House of Commons. I look forward to discussing the important issues of the day, from poverty to the environment and the rising costs of living.

Welcome to my blog!