As many of you know, I’m heading to Ottawa on Monday December 3rd to raise awareness about the situation in Darfur, Sudan by meeting with MPs, Senators and NGOs while doing a week-long fast. That means I’ll be missing some significant climate change action here in Alberta, but it doesn’t mean you’ll miss it! Here’s some info and background about what’s being planned:

While world leaders meet in Bali, on December 8th several groups in Calgary are collaborating for a rally along seventeenth avenue downtown to demonstrate that we want action on climate change. The rally will begin on 17th Avenue and 8th Street SW and will go East towards the Stampede grounds, beginning at noon.

CLICK HERE to join the Facebook event!

Visit www.climatechaos.ca/ or www.globalclimatecampaign.org/

Also, check out the following video about the action on the 8th:

This week in the Legislature we had the chance to debate Bills 54 and 55, which address a need for interbasin water transfers for use in growing communities in Southern Alberta. In the debate I mentioned: “What we do know is that interfering with natural flows, natural processes, risking in-stream flow needs in some areas, which is the support system for the ecosystem within the river and on the banks of the river, is a dangerous proposition. We seem to be doing this more than once per year just in the last three years. I think that the writing is on the wall, Mr. Speaker. If we don’t start looking at limits to growth on these river systems, we are going to be faced with very severe economic as well as, I think, biological and ecological impacts from this penchant to pipe water from wherever it is presently in abundance to areas where it’s presently or predicted to be in shortage.” Listen to the podcast from my blog, or visit my main webpage, www.davidswann.ca, to read the debates. Despite the concerns that were raised, the bills both passed second reading on Tuesday.

Finally, this week there were meetings held by the government in Calgary and Bragg Creek to seek public input for Kananaskis Park and recreation plans. The public hearings were poorly publicized and it is questionable how serious the government is about listening to people with regards to recreational use of the Kananaskis area considering the overwhelming outcry against logging in the area, which the government has approved.

Click Hereto read my interview with CTV newsnet

On September 28, 2006, CTV.ca reported that Prime Minister Stephen Harper believes that the “world must do more to help the *desperate* people of war-ravaged Sudan”. Since that time, we have not seen enough action from the Canadian government to bring an end to the great suffering in the Darfur region of Sudan. The Prime Minister said “We must act to save a desperate population, it’s the responsibility to protect”. Write to Stephen Harper today to indicate that we expect him to follow through with this verbal commitment!

CTV.ca: World Must Do More for ‘Desperate’ Sudan: Harper

Send one of these letters to the Prime Minister (no postage required!):
Open Letter by David Swann
Open Letter by Alberta Residents

[Mailing Address: #A-203, 1600 - 90th Avenue SW, Calgary AB, T2V 5A8. E-mail Address:Harper.S@parl.gc.ca]

Call: 1-800-GENOCIDE now!! Tell the Prime Minister what you think!! Demand commitment, demand action, demand peace in Darfur!!

My campaign to raise awareness about the critical situation in Darfur is definitely gaining momentum! I’ve heard from many MPs, Senators, and organizations who wish to help out, including Senator Romeo Dallaire, Senator Grant Mitchell, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, former MP David Kilgour, MP Alexa McDonough, Stand, Amnesty International, Save Darfur Canada, and Project Ploughshares.

“I will do whatever I can to help/support you” – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party

“I have advocated consistently and persistently that Canada demonstrate leadership through a significant allocation of resources to help train and equip African based troops.” – Alexa McDonough MP for Halifax

“Thank you for the initiative you are taking to press the Canadian Government to support implementation of UNSC Resolution 1769 and for the quick deployment of the UN/AU hybrid force into Darfur. We will prepare and send a message to the Prime Minister and others in Ottawa, as well as alerting our partners and colleagues to add to the momentum you are building for a strong Canadian response.” – Project Ploughshares Canada

“The Darfur catastrophe continues as Rwanda in slow motion. How many more African villagers must die? How many more girls as young as eight must be gang-raped by the Janjaweed? When will Canada and the rest of the responsible international community put some political will in to their ‘Never again’ pledges? Excellent initiative, David and everyone helping. Onwards….” – David Kilgour, former MP, current human rights campaigner http://www.davidkilgour.ca/

“I do share the horror and outrage at the international community and our Canadian government’s dilatory actions with regards to the genocide being committed in Darfur. I have spoken out on the need for Canada to be a leader on the resolution of this human tragedy and while my name may not often appear in the media coverage of Darfur and Canadians’ involvement to stop this genocide, please be assured I have been active and will continue to be do both in Parliament and within Canada on this issue. My Leader, Honourable Stephane Dion has been very vocal and direct on Darfur and our Liberal Caucus has taken a public stance on this human tragedy which I, along with my colleagues like Irwin Cotler and Keith Martin (to name but two), have advocated and supported. We must as a country take the lead; as the country that advocated the now acknowledged and widely accepted international principle of ‘the duty to protect’ when failed states and/or despotic states commit acts of atrocities against their own citizens, Canada has a moral obligation to put its money where its mouth is, so to speak. I trust you are re-assured by my aforementioned statements and with your efforts, mine and those of countless goodwilled Canadians, we will prevail and convince PM Harper to act quickly.” – MP Marlene Jennings

“The best way forward in my view is to do everything we can to encourage/oblige the Government to increase its supply of money (with careful attention to prudence in precisely where it goes and how it’s spent) and equipment to the peacemaking effort in Darfur.” – Senator Tommy Banks

I would like to invite everyone to view the documentary “The Devil Came on Horseback”, which I am screening this Saturday November 24 at 4:30pm at the Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Road NW). The cost is pay what you can, to encourage everyone to come and learn more about the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

Watch the trailer here:

At the film screening, I will be announcing my personal campaign to raise awareness about the situation, including a week-long fast that I will do in Ottawa. So far, I have had tremendous support from individuals such as Senator Romeo Dallaire, former MP David Kilgour and Senator Grant Mitchell. I’ve also received support from groups such as Save Darfur Canada, Stand and Project Ploughshares. If you would like to get involved please contact my office at calgary.mountainview@assembly.ab.ca or visit my website to find out what YOU can do!

If you’re interested in learning more tonight, watch PBS online or on TV at 10:00pm in Calgary. The documentary is “On Our Watch”. Check out the videos below to find out what it’s all about!

Watch the documentary “On Our Watch” on CBC Doc Zone CLICK HERE

The Fall legislature has been dominated by questions of public trust.

With both the Auditor General and the Royalty Review Panel indicating poor management of our oil and gas payments to the public account, more and more people are asking – How did this happen? and Why has it taken 7 years to address the loss of $7-$10 Billion??

Whether or not the Premier’s new royalty plan is high enough, what responsibility does the government have for the lost billions?

Any business that lost this kind of money through negligence would see shareholders up in arms and seeking damages! And it now appears from the Annual Reports that the Energy Department itself was covering up the recommendations from its own experts that Albertans should have been getting more royalties.

Imagine what could have been accomplished with this resource (now lost forever) – Albertans could be moving off the electrical grid with energy conservation and renewable energy more easily available. New jobs and technology could reduce our fossil fuel dependence AND save money AND export more fossil fuels for higher returns. A slower rate of development of the oilsands could mean better social conditions and environmental protection.

In the Legislature yesterday I asked questions about Sour Gas Well Safety in light of the recent leak at a Bearspaw Petroleum operation. Leaks have occurred at this site before, and residents in the area continue to suffer from lasting health implications (along with their livestock) (Listen to my questions below)

People expect us to protect the public interest – Do you believe the public interest is being protected in Alberta today?

I’d be interested in your thoughts.

Edmonton journal article: Horses, cattle ailing; Family blames sour gas leak

So far, this session of the Legislature is going very well! The Alberta Liberal Caucus have been pressing the government every day on the lost billions from royalty mismanagement and I have personally had the chance to ask some questions about water management in the province. You can listen to these questions below, or read them in pdf format.

On November 7th, I made a Private Member’s Statement on the situation in Darfur, and our moral obligation as a peaceful and wealthy nation, to commit to stopping the genocide. Please read my statement, or listen to it below, and visit my main webpage at www.davidswann.ca to learn more about my action, and what you can do. I’m hosting a film screening on November 24th at the Plaza Theatre in Kensington at 4:30pm to help people learn more about the Darfur region of Sudan. The film is called “The Devil Came on Horseback” and depicts the disturbing genocide that has been ongoing for years now. Canada MUST step up and lead in the protection of the people of Darfur and peace worldwide!

Back to the Legislature….on November 8th my Bill to amend the Water Act to increase protection and conservation of water in Alberta passed first reading! Let’s now hope it passes the other readings!!

Private Member’s Statement on Darfur (November 7, 2007)

Questions on Water Management (November 7 2007)

Bill 216 – Amendments to the Water Act