Here There Be Heroes

No matter what age we may attain, I doubt that we ever lose our need for heroes. Certainly, as we grow up, the definition of hero must mature, changing from someone with superpowers who fights evil and injustice, to someone who looks very much like we do, has no special abilities affording protection from the negative vicissitudes of life but who, when put to the test, show all of us what humanity is ultimately capable of.

Who may be considered a hero depends to a large extent on personal points of view and values; from my perspective, a hero is someone who takes actions while aware that those actions will likely lead to real problems and suffering in his or her life. The one true hero in my life is Nelson Mandala, a moral giant whose story needs no retelling here, but whose life is a testament to integrity, courage, and, for me, the existence of the transcendent.

Although perhaps not of the magnitude of Mandela, I do believe that we have heroes among us in Canada today, people for whom integrity is paramount. I have written in the past about Munir Sheik, the former head of Statistics Canada who resigned that position rather than to go along with the Harper-perpetrated lie that the elimination of the mandatory census was just fine with the statisticians.

Currently, another person showing all of us the stuff he is made of is Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page, a man appointed by the Harper government but who has already incurred its anger exposing lies that government has pedaled to the public. His latest foray into fortitude is reported on in today's Star, which outlines how Harper's acolytes are breaking the law by refusing to provide details of the government’s spending cuts to Page.

Rather than 'going along to get along,' Page said his last recourse is go to Federal Court to seek disclosure of the information though he added that “nobody wins” under that scenario.

“That said, we have to draw a line in the sand with respect to the Act of the Parliament and the provision of information,” he said.

The very existence of the aforementioned individuals must be an affront to our craven politicians, the ones who, for example, have aided and abetted the Harper omnibus budget, Bill C-38, forsaking their duty to their constituents and their country in the hopes of promotion within the government, something worth about 30 pieces of silver by my measure.

Given that the Harper mandate doesn't end until 2015, Kevin Page will likely lose his job in the near future, something I'm sure he is very much aware of. Yet despite my very cynical nature, it is the people like him walking among us who keep me from ever making a final submission to absolute despair.

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

A few pictures and signs from last night's protest near Conservative M.P David Sweet's constituency office. As in the previous protest against Bill C- 38, we were prevented from demonstrating in front of his office by the Hamilton Police, on orders from the property owner, Kevin Vanderlaan (IPC Investments).

A few of us arrived early before being ordered off the property by the police.

A camera-shy Hamilton police sergeant.

Stoically standing on guard protecting private property rights?

This final sign, I think, reflects the view of many of Mr. Sweet's constituents.

Another List of Targeted Tory M.P.s

Yesterday I posted a list sent to me of seven Conservative M.P.s to try to convince to 'call in sick' the day of the omnibus vote. Here is the next seven:

Action #23: Here are the next seven Conservative MPs. Please email them and ask that they "call in sick" on the day of the final budget vote. It will only take a few minutes of your time. By reporting back in a comment we will all be able to keep track of the campaign's progress. It will also encourage others to participate.

1. Dave MacKenzie: dave.mackenzie@parl.gc.ca

2. Phil McColeman: phil.mccoleman@parl.gc.ca

3. Costas Menegakis: Costas.Menegakis@parl.gc.ca

4. Rob Nicholson: rob.nicholson@parl.gc.ca

5. Rick Norlock: rick.norlock@parl.gc.ca

6. Gordon O'Connor: gordon.oconnor@parl.gc.ca

7. Joe Preston: joe.preston@parl.gc.ca

Be sure to email them all separately!

Another Way To Fight Omnibus Bill C-38

I received the following from one of the people I was protesting with the other day near Conservative M.P. David Sweet's constituency office. It offers yet another tool in the fight against Haper's undemocratic push to remake Canada in his image:

I know many of you are upset and outraged about the 2012 Budget Bill that Harper is trying to slam through parliament with his majority. Here is one quick little step you can take to help stop the Bill being passed - take away his majority! There were 7 Conservative MPs who missed the final budget vote earlier this year for a number of reasons, let's convince them again!

Action #20: Here is the set of seven Conservative MPs. Please email them and ask that they "call in sick" on the day of the final budget vote. It will only take a few minutes of your time. Please feel free to pass this along to encourage others to participate.

1. Michael Chong: michael.chong@parl.gc.ca

2. Joe Daniel: Joe.Daniel@parl.gc.ca

3. Barry Devolin: barry.devolin@parl.gc.ca

4. John Duncan: john.duncan@parl.gc.ca

5. Rick Dykstra: rick.dykstra@parl.gc.ca

6. Kerry-Lynne Findlay: Kerry-Lynne.Findlay@parl.gc.ca

7. Diane Finley: diane.finley@parl.gc.ca

Here are two possibilities for the text of the email:

Dear Honourable XXX,

I am emailing you to respectfully ask that you not participate in the upcoming budget vote -- call in sick instead. The process of including legislation in the budget bill circumvents our democratic process and makes a farce of our democracy. The erosion of democracy and citizens rights bit by bit leads ultimately to a dictatorial system. If the changes to environmental legislation are legitimate and have merit, then they will be able to withstand scrutiny in the house, in the press and in the minds of the people. Please defend our democracy and insist that this budget bill be divided up appropriately.

'Lest we forget' Hundreds of thousands of Canadian men and women have lost their lives in two world wars to protect our democracy. Think of their sacrifice.

Sincerely,

OR

Dear Honourable XXX,

I am emailing you to respectfully ask that you not participate in the upcoming budget vote -- call in sick instead. The gutting of 50 years of environmental legislation will have profound implications for the health and safety of Canadians, who are growing increasingly concerned about Budget 2012. If the changes to environmental legislation are legitimate and have merit, then they will be able to withstand scrutiny in a bill of their own. Please defend our democracy and insist that this budget be broken up into manageable bills.

Sincerely,

Two Links To Fight The Government Omnibus Bill

Thanks to Dr. Dawg for this link and this link to help us fight Bill C-38.

How The Harper Omnibus Bill Disrupted My Sunday

Yesterday started out pleasantly enough. After enjoying my wife's home-made cereal, a piece of toast and some coffee, I decided the weather was so fine that it warranted my going out on my bicycle to be among nature's delights. Returning home after about an hour-and-a-half, in an unusually serene frame of mind, it seemed like a grand idea to have another cup of coffee, watch the birds at my feeder and bird bath, and read the Insight Section of The Star.

It was that last decision that ended my hard-won equanimity, as I read an analysis of the Harper budget omnibus bill. Although I was previously aware of many of the bill's major contents, the stealthy scope of this grossly undemocratic legislation, and the palpable contempt for the Canadian people implicit in it was, to say the least, unsettling. Indeed, after I read the article, relaxing amidst the sylvan setting of my backyard while Rome burns seemed a bit of a guilty indulgence.

The following aspects of the bill were highlighted in the article:

• Cuts 19,200 government jobs amid $5.2 billion in spending reductions.

• Eliminates a wide range of agencies and organizations, from social policy-oriented agencies like the National Council of Welfare and National Aboriginal Health Organization to the watchdog responsible for monitoring the activities of Canada’s spy agency, CSIS.

• Sweeping changes to immigration law that will allow the government to delete the applications of some 280,000 people who asked to come here as federal skilled workers before 2008. Application fees will be returned. The legislation also refocuses immigration policy on economic needs with measures intended to attract younger, better-qualified workers to directly meet labour market demands.

• Changes the Temporary Foreign Worker Program so that foreign employees can be paid up to 15 per cent less than the prevailing local wage under certain circumstances.

• Alters the administration of parks, meaning shorter seasons and fewer services at parks and historic sites.

• Cuts spending on culture, foreign aid and future health-care transfers to the provinces.

Like the cowards that they are, the Harper regime has refused all opposition demands for a legislative breakdown of the omnibus bill that would allow full and public debate on each of its elements.

Like all evil that thrives, the Conservatives know that it is only through the shroud of secrecy and darkness that their vile efforts to reshape Canada can succeed.

And like the true betrayers of democracy's ideals that they are, Harper Inc. is doing everything within its power to keep the people who will be most affected by this reshaping, i.e., the majority of Canadians, as ignorant of its plans as possible.

If you want to know more, including some of the details of the bill's scrapping of environmental regulations that has prompted Greenpeace Canada spokesperson Keith Stewart to describe it as an attack on nature and democracy. It’s being done, basically, on behalf of the big oil companies, I hope you will check out the article.