In the past few weeks, we’ve been receiving some excellent feedback about the Town Hall meetings I’ve been hosting across Alberta. Have a look below!

Petro-Type Democracy

By Stewart Shields (Edmonton, AB)

Last night I attended the town hall meeting for Democratic Renewal at the Glenora Community Hall in Edmonton. I was pleasantly surprised at the turnout on a very nice summer evening! Another pleasant surprise I observed was the number of females and young folks taking the challenge to see change is made to our system in Alberta! What I consider younger folks were the dominate age group by far in the line-up to address the panel when the floor was open for comments!

My thoughts with respect to democratic reform in Alberta always drifts to the thought that we have indeed become a “Petro- Political-Territory”. We have a few political parties vying for the job of providing Janitorial-Services to the Alberta Oil Industry. The Alberta government can function very well on revenues from the petro-industry. This leaves the average voter and tax-payer less important than those in a non-petro- society from a governmental point of view! By taking no ownership for our involvement in the industry, like Newfoundland, and having no large government controlled capital pool like Norway, our system keeps us dependant on industry far more than necessary.

Albertans are at least partially aware of the above, exampled by almost all folks agreeing that Alberta is ruled by “Big-Oil”. Not lost on anyone should be the example of the “Green Parties” success in Central Alberta when Big-Oil hadn’t the chance to “Get-To” the new government, and the new government let things— “get out of hand” with respect to the EUB!!
Make no mistake that Albertans will go for real change to the system if it appears the change is indeed meant to be different!

Opposition or new parties could help their cause by opposing the elements within the system that allows and provides for “Petro Rulership”. Examples, is the treatment of industries main advocate CAPP, having their budget collected effectively by a Government tribunal, the troubled ERCB!! Also moving this tribunal to reside as other government institutions in Edmonton rather than far-off Calgary to come under greater government supervision, badly needed as the spying incident proved! Allowing direct payment of the ERCB budget, from industry to ERCB accounts should have been dealt with years ago! Questioning these types of practices has a two-fold effect, it shows the government that opposition is aware of these actions, and allows the public to see an opposition that truly wants change!! I’m sure I could rattle on forever with ways I see the opposition failing to address and inform the public of industries abuse of the democratic process! Get out to these meeting when they come to your area, and be sure your voice is heard, as the platform offers this chance!!

Stewart Shields

The conditions in Darfur continue to worsen as this example [below] reminds us.

The UN peace-keeping force is needed bring some stability and basic human services to these innocent victims of violence. MSF continues to be a voice for people and to provide fundamental service to these people. Please consider how you can assist the people of Darfur with your material and political support.

~ David Swann

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Message from MSF (Doctors without Borders) Holland.

Dear Friends,

The MSF Holland team working in the Darfuri refugee camps in Farchana, Chad recently was presented a “manifesto” by a group of Darfuri women that we’ve been working with.

Here’s the background:The night of Thursday 5 June 2008, seven Sudanese refugee women and girls were tied-up, beaten with whips and sticks, and publicly humiliated by a group of men in Farchana camp. The event was heard and seen by many of the refugees in Farchana camp, some of whom reported the incident to MSF expats the following morning, using the word “torture” unprompted. Note well: this word has never before been used by MSF staff describing domestic or other violence in Farchana camp.

The beaten women, aged 13-30 years, were accused of prostitution. The victims have been “fined”; some money and goods have been seized from them and their families; several have had their or their family’s World Food Programme ration cards forcibly removed. The victims have been threatened with further violence if they do not pay the remainder of the fine.

Despite having been instructed not go to MSF health services, the victims presented themselves to MSF, some coming on their own to the Farchana camp health centre, and others brought by local police. The women were all visibly seriously injured, including several suspected fractured arms. It is alleged that all of the victims had their arms damaged or broken in order to prevent them from working for a time. All of the women fear further violence, including reprisals for speaking out about their abuse.

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MSF takes as one of its primary principles that of temoignage. It means that we bear witness to events like this and then advocate for change. Further, though, we strive to give those oppressed their own voice. The right to be heard. The women were all tended to medically, body and mind, and are still under our care and close watch. We also sounded a near-deafening alarm, one that has not stopped ringing in the ears of many of those responsible. Shortly after this event, a respected Sudanese refugee approached MSF and asked for help “to be heard: to ask those responsible for the freedom of women.” We then suggested she strike up a group and write what needed be said. The eight women—whose names are not mentioned because they could be penalized for taking voice—wrote the following. First in Arabic, and then translated into English and French by MSF. When I read it, I see their faces, and I hear their voices. Moreover, I hear the thunder.

The statement:

We, the women of Farchana Camp, have many worries and difficulties concerning the “deprivation of our liberties and absence of freedom of expression.”

Nevertheless, we relate them to you, one by one:

1) Deprivation of freedom of expression: women have no voice.
2) It is forbidden for women to look for work or to better their iving conditions. If a woman works in an organisation or in simple private employment, she must still see to all her responsibilities, such as caring for the sick, household management, being responsible for the children; the husband’s role is non-existent.
3) Lack of equality between the different wives if a man has ultiple wives (injustice).
4) Women cannot freely decide how to manage their own property such as money, gold, domestic objects, and cattle.
5) Restrictions over external communications, for example: visiting neighbours, family, friends and especially long distance travel. If a woman is allowed to travel long distances, she will not receive any money and will have to make do.
6) Lack or refusal of access to higher education, such as university, for women.
7) Girls are discouraged from attending school; responsibilities fall back on the mothers.
8) When a girl becomes pregnant, her mother is held accountable and
must take responsibility; the mother is therefore held accountable, which can bring negative reactions from her husband and lead to divorce.
9) Hard labour is done by women: carrying firewood, collecting grass for cattle, water transportation, shelter construction; all physically gruelling work is the responsibility of women.
10) Lack of trust in women: a woman cannot leave her home without her husband’s approval or knowledge, otherwise she will immediately be accused of having left in order to prostitute herself.
11) Worthlessness of women: a woman has no value, except for sexual pleasure. Men want to have many children, but do not think of their future.
12) Forced and/or precocious weddings are encouraged.
13) Even during NGO meetings, women’s voices are not being taken seriously; only the men are being heard.
14) Women have no recourse for their grievances and preoccupations. The space or organisation that will take into account their concerns does not exist.

We thank you and hope that women’s liberties and worth will become an important matter in the world.

On this day, Tuesday, June the 10th 2008
The Women of Farchana Refugee Camp

Once in a while, we receive heart-breaking letters from individuals and their struggles with Alberta’s social service system, like this woman who couldn’t take it anymore, and decided she had no choice but to leave Alberta. Some food for thought.

“Down with Alberta’s Dictatorship” - via email on July 17, 2008

Dr. David Swann;

My story is not the saddest case I’ve seen and heard in Calgary, but it is the truth and you may use it as you wish. I can’t see my way though to fighting such a Capitalistic Government or system, because I realize now that you can never change someone else. I however can change where I am and do what will help me live a better life. Now I must tell you though, that a lot of good Doctors, Therapists, and wonderful nurses have been very sympathetic and helpful, even in the face of opposition and tuns of paperwork as well as red tape.

I truly appreciate what these ones have done for me. It’s not that I will never get the help I need, but I have my reasons for leaving. On the other hand how many people can say they have lived in 3 different Provinces in a life time? As you know there are still many good people in Calgary and Alberta. It’s just the Government hypocracy that really needs to change. As with most people maybe they have to learn it the hard way, through the experience of big mistakes. Those with a good heart will still shine through though, and may they have the blessings to do so.

Never give up you fight though, we are pending on a large change coming sooner than one may believe. One more thing though (just a thought):
It is Animal to judge by senses,
It is human to judge by appearance,
But, it is Godly to judge by the heart.

GOOD LUCK, Blessed be. Maybe some day I will return.

An excellent article in The New York Times, published July 10, 2008

Have a look HERE

Have a look at this excellent website, Alberta by Design.

It is made possible by the coordinated efforts of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, The Pembina Institute, and Water Matters. This website was developed based on information gathered from the Government of Alberta, and reports developed by the above organizations, as well as information available from other non-governmental organizations.

On the side, they write: “The Draft LUF [Land Use Framework] is quickly gaining a reputation as being one of the most important policy initiatives led by the Government of Alberta to address comprehensive land use issues in recent years. I couldn’t agree more.

Here is an interesting editorial published today by Naomi Lakritz about voter apathy, and lending her support to my work as an MLA.

Find the original article here:

Tories’ royal sense of entitlement needs reining in

On Monday night, I co-hosted a Town Hall meeting with Laurie Blakeman, MLA – Edmonton Centre.

Held at the Glenora Community Centre in Edmonton, we had a lively turn-out of 125-150 people who eagerly participated in discussion about ways to invigorate politics in Alberta.

On the panel, we had Joe Anglin, a well-known landowner rights advocate and former Green Party candidate; Les Brost, a political commentator, and Ken Chapman, a political consultant and blogger. They were joined by Sarah Arthurs, a Calgary-based psychologist and community facilitator.

There was some good coverage in the Edmonton Journal and the Edmonton Sun. Have a look at the following links.

“Time to dump party labels, says MLA”

“Opposition supporters push for change”

My good friend David McIntyre has written two great pieces of commentary on an issue of great concern: Alberta’s forest (mis)management.

The article, Playing with Fire, Flirting with Insects by David McIntyre chronicles the government’s efforts to manage Alberta’s southwestern forests. The letter to the editor, “Chaos Calls the Shots” Letter to the Editor by David McIntyre, addresses the government’s lack of effective people management on public lands.

Please have a look and lend me your thoughts. I am always open to hearing your thoughts and opinions on Alberta’s Land Use management or any other topics.