Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Friday, April 19, 2013

Canada-China FIPA to be voted on in the House of Commons on April 23

Yahoo News reports, “On Thursday, the NDP introduced a motion urging the government to inform China that it will not ratify the (Canada-China Foreigen Investment Promotion and Protection) agreement in its current form. …Left-leaning organizations, such as Leadnow and the Council of Canadians, are asking the public to contact their MPs to encourage them to vote with the NDP. …So, far at the Leadnow website, the ‘massive public outcry’ includes 18,204 names on a petition.”

The motion, which is to be voted on in the House of Commons this coming Tuesday, says, “That, in the opinion of this House, the government should inform the Government of the People’s Republic of China, that it will not ratify the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.” To respond to our ‘ACTION ALERT: Put a stop to the Canada-China FIPA! Tell your MP to vote YES in Parliament’, please go to http://canadians.org/action/2013/Canada-China-FIPA-MP.html.

In terms of the other opposition parties, the Vancouver Observer notes, “The Liberals have said they want to work with the current FIPA, and review it with public hearings across the country, rather than kill the agreement altogether.” Yesterday, Green Party leader Elizabeth May Tweeted, “Agree we should (oppose FIPA), but we might get CPC MPs voting with us for hearings. We shld try.”

Meanwhile, Comox Valley chapter activist Kathie Woodley writes in Postmedia’s Comox Valley News, “In January, 2013, the Hupacasath First Nation of BC filed a challenge in court to stop the ratification of FIPA until the government has fulfilled its obligation to consult with First Nations about the impacts the treaty will have on their rights and their lands. The Council of Canadians believes that no investment treaty since NAFTA poses a greater threat to the environment, public health, First Nations and basic notions of democracy. If the FIPA is ratified, China-based corporations will be able to directly challenge local, provincial and federal policies that interfere with their ‘right’ to make a profit from energy, mining or other controversial projects. The Council has undertaken to help raise public donations to pay for legal costs and will match all donations in their effort to raise at least $10,000 before the court challenge moves ahead. At our recent AGM, donations were collected to support this important court challenge.”

Original Article
Source: rabble.ca
Author: Brent Patterson

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