We want our government to respond to the Occupy movement by working to narrow the economic gap between the top 1% and the 99%.
Did You Know?
That income inequality in Canada has increased over the past 20 years. The richest group of Canadians increased its share of total national income between 1993 and 2008, while the poorest group lost share. Middle-income Canadians also lost share. Although the gap between the rich and poor widened, Canadians in the poorest income group still saw their income levels rise, albeit minimally.
-Conference Board of Canada July, 2011 Read more.
That the Arab Spring is a reaction to unequal societies, in which the mass of the population was exploited under dictatorships. The Occupy movement in affluent countries is also about unequal societies. In nominally democratic countries, the mass of the population is recognizing that it is exploited by an empowered and emboldened kleptocracy.
- J. David Hulchanski, "The 99% know all about inequality" here.
That Armine Yalnizyan, in a presciently titled report from last year, The Rise of Canada’s Richest 1%, points out that the privileged 246,000 with an average income of $405,000, took almost a third of all growth in incomes in the fastest-growing decade in this generation, 1997 to 2007.
That the Occupy Movement is far from over and has been continuing its actions over the winter, but will ramp up in April with the coming of spring weather. This article on the web site Common Dreams is worth reading: Occupy vs. the Global Race to the Bottom: Incorporating corporate globalization into the Occupy analysis and agenda by Robin Broad and John Cavanagh.
Read more.
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We want the government of Canada to deal effectively with the poverty and despair in our native reserves by creating opportunities for employment and education.
Did You Know?
That Stephen Harper, cancelled the $5.1-billion Kelowna Accord in 2006 as one of his first actions when he was elected Prime Minister, but has changed his tune in January 2012 because of adverse publicity regarding the conditions in Attawapiskat and on other reserves.
That Prime Minister Harper highlighted the need for economic development to lift living standards in his opening remarks to the summit with First Nations leaders on January 24, 2012.
That Armine Yalnizyan, in a presciently titled report from last year, The Rise of Canada’s Richest 1%, points out that the privileged 246,000 with an average income of $405,000, took almost a third of all growth in incomes in the fastest-growing decade in this generation, 1997 to 2007.
That the Occupy Movement is far from over and has been continuing its actions over the winter, but will ramp up in April with the coming of spring weather. This article on the web site Common Dreams is worth reading: Occupy vs. the Global Race to the Bottom: Incorporating corporate globalization into the Occupy analysis and agenda by Robin Broad and John Cavanagh.
Read more.
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We want the government of Canada to deal effectively with the poverty and despair in our native reserves by creating opportunities for employment and education.
Did You Know?
That Stephen Harper, cancelled the $5.1-billion Kelowna Accord in 2006 as one of his first actions when he was elected Prime Minister, but has changed his tune in January 2012 because of adverse publicity regarding the conditions in Attawapiskat and on other reserves.
That Prime Minister Harper highlighted the need for economic development to lift living standards in his opening remarks to the summit with First Nations leaders on January 24, 2012.
That by the end of the day, the two sides had agreed on a five-point plan that pledged:
• Steps to encourage improved governance, accountability and ultimately financial self-sufficiency for First Nations.
•Removing barriers to First Nations governance.
•Speed claims resolution and treaty implementation.
•Education reform to improve kindergarten to Grade 12 schooling.
•Economic development with the creation of a joint task force to make recommendations on how to unlock the “potential of First Nations.”
“We haven’t seen anything substantial,” said Derek Nepinak, the grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
To read the whole article click here.
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We want the government of Canada to influence the other G20 member countries to act far more decisively to bring their use of natural resources back within sustainable limits. As one of the high-income countries, we must lead in demonstrating that environmentally sustainable economic growth is possible.
Did You Know?
That in 2010, the G20 committed themselves to promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
That over half the world’s poorest people live in G20 countries, and rising inequality threatens to prevent them benefiting from economic growth.
That income inequality is growing in almost all G20 countries, even while it is falling in many low- and lower middle income countries.
That only four G20 countries have reduced their carbon emissions since the Rio Summit in 1992.
That the poor not only depend most on natural resources for their livelihoods, but also tend to live in places disproportionately affected by climate change.
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We want the government of Canada to influence the other G20 member countries to act far more decisively to bring their use of natural resources back within sustainable limits. As one of the high-income countries, we must lead in demonstrating that environmentally sustainable economic growth is possible.
Did You Know?
That in 2010, the G20 committed themselves to promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
That over half the world’s poorest people live in G20 countries, and rising inequality threatens to prevent them benefiting from economic growth.
That income inequality is growing in almost all G20 countries, even while it is falling in many low- and lower middle income countries.
That only four G20 countries have reduced their carbon emissions since the Rio Summit in 1992.
That the poor not only depend most on natural resources for their livelihoods, but also tend to live in places disproportionately affected by climate change.
