David Swann: Blog

Dr. David Swann is the elected member of the Alberta Legislature for Calgary Mountain View and the Liberal critic for the Health and Wellness, Human Services, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Aboriginal Relations.

David Swann: Blog - Dr. David Swann is the elected member of the Alberta Legislature for Calgary Mountain View and the Liberal critic for the Health and Wellness, Human Services, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Aboriginal Relations.

Support National Farm Worker’s Day

Dear Friends,

Re: National Farm Worker’s Day – Aug. 17 in Turner Valley

Life is good for many of us in the energy boom of Alberta and it is possible to ignore the increasing difficulties of many people whose incomes have not kept pace with inflation and cost of living.

Many farm workers in Alberta have a further disadvantage in not being given the basic rights of a healthy and safe workplace and a Worker’s Compensation Board. National Farm Worker’s Day on August 17 is important in remembering that we have far to go to ensure basic dignity and human rights for farm workers.

Many people, even this summer, are also struggling to meet basic food needs and must use the food banks. This year, the Farmworker’s Union of Alberta combined with the Canadian Auto Workers Local 4050 are sponsoring a Food Drive & Free B-B-Q
Sunday August 17 2008 Noon – 5pm at the Turner Valley Gazebo, hosted by Lorna Chandler.

In the name of Farm Worker’s Day, please try to attend this event and/or make a donation of money or food to the food bank in your area. Contact Darlene Dunlop and Eric Musecamp at (403) 330-2264 or email fu_alberta@yahoo.ca for more information about this event and other ways to get involved.

Sincerely, on behalf of farm workers and all human rights,

David Swann

David to Attend Water Conference in Ft. Chip

I’m travelling to Ft. Chipewyan this weekend for a conference that is bring together scientists, acitvists, politicians and the public on the issue of oilsands development and the Athabasca River.  George Poitras has done a great job of organizing the event that will include other dignitaries such as Dr. David Schindler and Dr. John O’Connor.

Here is an article: Water Conference Lacks Government Pull posted in the Slave River Journal noting that there is no government representation at the conference despite the fact that both federal and provincial ministers were invited.

If you’re interested in this issue please contact me at my office.

Mia Farrow Speaks Out on Darfur

My friend and human rights activist David Kilgour sent this on to me.
I encourage people to view this powerful Youtube video from activist actress Mia Farrow from the desperate camps of Darfur, during these Olympics (which she has termed Genocide Olympics because of China’s role in supplying weapons to the Sudan government used to kill the Darfuris).
Our federal government should help get the brutal dictator Omar Bashir of Sudan to trial, as demanded by the International Criminal Court last month.
China, supplying much of the military to Bashir, must also be held accountable for the continued genocide there.
Your voice counts!
David