The right to protest is one of the fundamental rights of the citizen in a democracy. I (Rhonda) believe it is just as important as the right to vote. Here are a few strong advocacy and information websites available to Canadians.
www.openparliament.ca
www.openparliament.ca
This site provides transcripts from the House of Commons. It also has information about bills, including which reading they are currently on and how MP's have voted. The website also has a detailed page for each of the 308 MP's so that constituents can see how their elected representative has voted as well as what they have done or said since taking their seat. It also provides information regarding laws proposed by MP.
This is the official website of the movement. It contains a great deal of information on what the movement is about and what they are fighting for. It has letters of support from other groups around the world as well as media reports, event details, and updates.
Taken directly from the website:"Democracy Watch is a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization, and Canada's leading citizen group advocating democratic reform, government accountability and corporate responsibility."
Their website provides details on all of their active campaigns as well as news releases and petitions.
www.leadnow.ca
Their website provides details on all of their active campaigns as well as news releases and petitions.
www.leadnow.ca
www.openmedia.ca
This group was formed in response to the Government's proposed online spying legislation bill C-30. They were successful in their campaign because the legislation was scrapped earlier this year. However, they continue to fight for an open internet, wireless communications and telecoms.
Another grassroots advocacy group aimed at fighting the Government's environmentally destructive economic policies. They want to motivate youth to fight for what they believe in. The following is a quote from their website: "Power Shift 2012 aims to build an environmental and climate justice movement that can transform our society, so that our future can be enjoyed by everyone, not only those who can afford it. Power Shift is organized by youth for youth and aims to mobilize passionate youth from affected communities and various sectors of civil society to explore multiple way of taking action and work to develop each other's capacity and abilities."
www.fairvote.ca
From their website: "Fair Vote Canada is a multi-partisan national citizens campaign promoting fair voting systems for use in elections at all levels." The group is against Canada's "first past the post" system and advocates for Proportional Representation in Canada.
rabble.ca has created an activist toolkit. It is a wiki-style section of the site dedicated to content collaboration. There is a lot of information on things that students may want to participate in, not just politics.
I have also included two international advocacy groups because they are gaining members and momentum. Canadian issues often are addressed by these groups.
www.avaaz.org
"Avaaz - meaning 'voice' in several European, Middle Eastern and Asian languages - launched in 2007 with a simple democratic missions: organize citizens of all nations to close the gap between the world we have and the world most people everywhere want. Avaaz empowers millions of people from all walks of life to take action on pressing global, regional and national issues, from corruption and poverty to conflict and climate change. Our model of internet organising allows thousands of individual efforts, however small, to be rapidly combined into a powerful collective force." - quoted from avaaz.org.
I have also included two international advocacy groups because they are gaining members and momentum. Canadian issues often are addressed by these groups.
www.avaaz.org
"Avaaz - meaning 'voice' in several European, Middle Eastern and Asian languages - launched in 2007 with a simple democratic missions: organize citizens of all nations to close the gap between the world we have and the world most people everywhere want. Avaaz empowers millions of people from all walks of life to take action on pressing global, regional and national issues, from corruption and poverty to conflict and climate change. Our model of internet organising allows thousands of individual efforts, however small, to be rapidly combined into a powerful collective force." - quoted from avaaz.org.
This organisation deals directly with environmental issues across the globe. The name 350 refers to what scientists believe is a safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere: 350ppm. We are currently at 392ppm. The groups advocates against the Keystone XL pipeline, rising ocean levels, rain de-forestation, and many other human impact climate change issues.
DEMOCRACY WEEK
Entering its third year, Canada democracy week will be held September 16-23, 2013. The website has a lot of information on democracy in Canada, including some great resources that will get your students excited and interested in democracy. Apathy is boring!
COMING SOON!
Judge David Arnot (Treaty Commissioner 1997-2002 and instrumental for implementing the treaty kits) is the Chief Commissioner for the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. He is working on a new pedagogy for citizenship called "The New Three R'S." Although not complete, he plans to have it available for the classroom within the next 2 years. The content will focus on Rights, Responsibilities and Respect. The plans will be available at www.shrc.gov.sk.ca
A small sampling of some great protest songs from the last decade as well as some classics that are still relevant today. The songs inspired generations of citizens to rise up and say "No!" to their governments. In the past 5 years, media outlets such as CNN and the Toronto Star have wondered why there are no great protest songs being written today. Could your students be the ones to answer their concerns?
Pussy Riot - "Putin Lights Up the Fires"
The band staged a performance at a cathedral in Moscow protesting the Orthodox churches support of Vladimir Putin during his election campaign. This song was recorded in response to their arrest, trial, conviction and sentencing for the crime of hooliganism.
"Putin ignites the fires of revolution"
This State may be stronger than the time in jail.
The more arrests it makes, the happier it is.
Every arrest is carried out with love for the sexist
The one who botoxed his cheeks and pumped his chest and abs.
But you can't nail us in a coffin.
We throw off the yoke of former KGB!
Putin is lighting up the fires of revolution
He's bored and scared of sharing his silence with the people
With every execution: the stench of rotten ash
With every long prison sentence: a wet dream
The country is taking the streets with no fear
The country is going to bid farewell to the regime
The country is going like a feminist wedge
And Putin is going to say goodbye like a sheep
Arrest the whole city for May 6th
Seven years in prison are not enough, give us 18!
Forbid us to scream, walk and curse!
And go and marry Father Lukashenko
MIA - "Born Free"
ADVISORY: This video contains violence, nudity and foul language. It is also quite disturbing. You will need to prepare your students before you watch this video. This video was banned on youtube for these reasons. MIA said this song was about political ideology and how differences in thought can lead to genocide; such as the one she lived through in Sri Lanka.
Green Day - "Wake Me Up When September Ends"
A protest song about the second war in Iraq.
The Cranberries - "Zombie"
Written in response to the IRA bombings in Warrington, England that killed Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry, it was was quite popular in the 1990's.
Midnight Oil - "Beds are Burning"
A song about Indigenous land issues in Australia. Still amazingly relevant over 20 years later.
Nena - "99 Luftballoons"
Written to protest the threat of nuclear war, the song was translated into English. The English "99 Red Balloons" doesn't have the same meaning as the German version but it can be found here. Trust me, it's cooler in German!
An English translation of the German lyrics can be found here.
The Clash - (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
It was hard to pick only one song by The Clash, so I picked my favorite. In this song, they step away from the typical punk song. It's also quite easy to pick out what they are protesting.
The Sex Pistols - "God Save the Queen"
This song is the most heavily censored record in British history, according to the Guardian. The Sex Pistols are protesting class issues in Britain, specifically the monarchy and the aristocracy.
Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Fortunate Son (1969)"
A song protesting the Vietnam war draft which allowed the sons of wealthy men to avoid being drafted.
Gil Scott-Heron - "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"
Pete Seeger - "We Shall Overcome", "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" and "If I Had a Hammer"
I couldn't decide which to post, so I posted three. These are all excellent songs that I know students can identify with because I did when I was young. We Shall Overcome was used during the civil rights movement. Where Have All the Flowers Gone? is an anti-war song, one of the best.
Woody Guthrie - "This Land is Your Land"
Florence Reece - "Which Side Are You On?"
The wife of a union organizer, Florence Reece wrote this song to protest the actions of the mine owners during the Harlan County War, 1931. This is the oldest protest song recording I have and it is still referred to or covered by artists today.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR SASKATOON'S 3 LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
Another important aspect of our Canadian democracy is being able to contact our elected members to offer support, express concerns, air grievances or propose suggestions.
FEDERAL
Here is the contact information for Saskatoon and area MP's. Click on their names to be directed to their websites.
Blackstrap - Lynne Yelich - 2325 Preston Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, S7J2G2 - lynne.yelich@parl.gc.ca
Saskatoon-Humboldt - Brad Trost - 505B Nelson Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7S 1P4 - brad.trost@parl.gc.ca
Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar - Kelly Block - 904E 22nd St W, Saskatoon, SK, S7M 0S1 - kelly.block@parl.gc.ca
Saskatoon-Wanuskewin - Maurice Vellacott - 844 51st St E, Unit 3, Saskatoon, SK, S7K5C7 - maurice.vellacott@parl.gc.ca
Furthermore, citizens can write to any Member of Parliament or Senator on Parliament hill postage-free.
Name of Senator
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, ON
K1A0A4
Name of Member of Parliament
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A0A6
Citizens can write to the Prime Minister directly at:
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
K1A0A2
or to any of the Party Leaders:
81 Metcalfe Street, Suite 600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 6M8
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 6M8
Thomas Mulcair
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A0A6
Elizabeth May
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A0A6
PROVINCIAL
For Provincial issues, the Members of Legislative Assembly representing Saskatoon are:
Saskatoon Massey - Cam Broten - Unit F - 511 33rd St W, Saskatoon, SK, S7L0V7 - cbroten@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Saskatoon Fairview - Jennifer Campeau - 16-15 Worobetz Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7L6R4 -jcampeau@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Saskatoon Riversdale - Danielle Chartier - 1030 Avenue L South, Saskatoon, SK, S7M2J5 - dchartier@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Saskatoon Silversprings - Ken Cheveldayoff - 1106A Central Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, S7N2H1 - kcheveldayoff@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Saskatoon Centre - David Forbes - 904D 22nd St W, Saskatoon, SK, S7M0S1 - dforbes@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Saskatoon Sutherland - Paul Merriman - 211-3521 8th St E, Saskatoon, SK, S7H0W5 - pmerriman@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Saskatoon Southeast - Don Morgan - 109 - 3502 Taylor St E, Saskatoon, SK, S7H5H9 - dmorgan@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Saskatoon Greystone - Rob Norris - 5 - 2720 8th St E, Saskatoon, SK, S7H0V8 - rnorris@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Saskatoon Meewasin - Roger Parent - Box 26068 - Bay C, 96 33rd St E, Saskatoon, SK, S7K8C1 - rparent@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Saskatoon Nutana - Cathy Sproule - 621A Main Street, Saskatoon, SK, S7H0J8 - csproule@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Saskatoon Eastview - Corey Tochor - 1 - 3012 Louise Street, Saskatoon, SK, S7J3L8 - ctochor@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Saskatoon Northwest - Gordon Wyant - 75B Lenore Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7K7Y1 - gwyant@mla.legassembly.sk.ca
Citizens may also contact the Premier directly at:
The Honourable Brad Wall
Premier of Saskatchewan
226 Legislative Building
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4S 0B3
MUNICIPAL
For local issues, the Mayor and Councillors are:
His Worship Donald J. Atchison
Office of the Mayor
222 Third Avenue North
Saskatoon, SK
S7K 0J5
The City of Saskatoon has an online form that you can fill out and submit to the Mayor and City Councillors. Individual Councillor emails are:
Ward 1 - Darren Hill - darren.hill@saskatoon.ca
Ward 2 - Pat Lorje - pat.lorje@saskatoon.ca
Ward 3 - Anne Iwanchuk - anne.iwanchuk@saskatoon.ca
Ward 4 - Troy Davies - troy.davies@saskatoon.ca
Ward 5 - Randy Donauer - randy.donauer@saskatoon.ca
Ward 6 - Charlie Clark - charlie.clark@saskatoon.ca
Ward 7 - Mairin Loewen - mairin.loewen@saskatoon.ca
Ward 8 - Eric Olausen - eric.olausen@saskatoon.ca
Ward 9 - Tiffany Paulsen - tiffany.paulsen@saskatoon.ca
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