I was moved by Mr. Stickland’s personal experience of the decline of community and his opinion that ‘Calgary is becoming one of the least friendly cities in the nation, and one of the most violent’.
Community is a sense of ‘common unity’ and surely is the foundation of a healthy society. Relationships are the basis of trust and trust enables people to care for each other and work together to solve problems. We are talking of the essentials of civil society.
I am conscious in my own neighborhood – Sunnyside – of the challenges of reaching out to new people, especially more transient neighbors including students and renters. I have allowed my life to become fast-paced but I try always to make  time for a brief greeting on the street. I’ve discovered some fascinating people and even business opportunities this way.
High rates of homelessness, addiction, suicide, anxiety, depression and family violence in Alberta reflect many factors surely but that includes the price we are all paying for the lack of community. And these problems clearly contribute significantly to the burden on our health care system. Especially with economic growth, the influx of many new Albertans, we are in danger of worsening trends. What can the average person do about this?
Whatever else we do as family members, business associates and employees if we do not contribute to healthier communities we, and our children, will suffer.
As Chief Seattle said about the physical environment surely applies to the social environment also:  “We are all part of the fabric of life. What we do (or fail to do) to it, we do to ourselves.”
Of course Mr. Stickland is a playwright – challenging us in his own inimitable fashion to remember to play together and as community members, to “play right”!

Dr. David Swann, MLA – Calgary Mountain View. Shadow Minister – Environment, sustainable resource development and aboriginal relations

In response to “Environment overtakes health as issue” by Neil McKinnon on Sept. 10, 2008 published in METRO CALGARY, I would like to point out that environment and health are two sides of the same coin. Human health is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of our land, water, air and soil. Environmental stewardship has become the new health care as the top political issue of the day as it rightfully should be in these trying times. We are faced with serious implications for human health and our entire way of life with climate change, water shortages and decline in quality, and many other environmental issues all compounded one on top of the other. And yet, in the era of the 30-second soundbite, where politics is reduced to empty mudslinging without a regard for good public policy, it is discouraging to hear Barry Cooper from the University of Calgary’s school of political science completely discount the environment when he says that “the environment is about as bogus an issue as health care” and “It’s certainly not practical.”

 

I have spent my entire career, as first a medical doctor, then public health consultant and now MLA fighting for strong health care and the environmental policies, and to have these recognized as fundamental human rights. If we don’t stand for these, what is our society built upon? Do we accept pollution and health risks without a fight? I will not, nor will the Alberta Liberal Party under my leadership.

 

Perhaps Barry Cooper might think differently if he faced the thousands of Albertans I respond to whose personal health has suffered greatly from environmental degradation: asthma aggravated by smog; chemical sensitivities, auto-immune disorders and cancers. There is much we can, and must do if we love this place and our children. Cooper’s comments are both disappointing and cynical.

 

It is true that some politicians and governments have failed Albertans but this is not a reflection on their importance. It is a reflection on their failure to do the careful, balanced work of good policy making. And in some cases we, as citizens have failed to hold our representatives accountable for their failure. The public is demanding action now, and as political leaders, academics, business leaders and citizens, we must act collectively to implement solutions quickly as possible.

 

XXX

 

Dr. David Swann, MLA – Calgary Mountain View. Shadow Minister – Environment, sustainable resource development and aboriginal relations

 

For the first time in human history, the North Pole can be circumnavigated.

The decision to include federal Green Party leader Elizabeth May in the federal leadership debate stands as a decisive victory for democracy in Canada. The decision comes after the forceful engagement of Canadians in the political process, at a time when citizen apathy towards government and democratic process sits at an all time low. The decision to include one of Canada’s crucial political leader’s in an open and honest debate, will most definitely contribute to a renewed sense of faith and confidence in our democratic process.

 http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/news/greens-fight-their-way-into-leaders-debate-2543/