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.

Letter to Editor of the Calgary Herald Re: The Case for Community by Eugene Stickland; Sept. 13/08

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

Environment and Health Not “Bogus’ Issues

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

 

Inclusion of Elizabeth May in debate is a win for democracy.

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/

Letter to the Herald about “Alberta’s Black Mark – Why We Don’t Vote”

This letter to the editor was published in the Calgary Herald on Sept. 08, 2008.

My thanks to the Herald for its very effective coverage Alberta’s Black Mark – Why We Don’t Vote. Friday’s coverage of the widespread lack of trust in our politicians and their willingness to do their job. Small wonder that only 40% of people voted in Alberta’s election in March.

So what is the solution – how do we rebuild trust? As a physician I found only one way to have a trusting relationship with people – by being trustworthy. Politicians need to be accessible and open to people, say what we mean and follow through. This is not ‘rocket surgery’, as Don Cherry quipped.

People are watching for indications that government will do what is right, not what is easy or profitable only in the short term. The job of government is challenging but if elected officials do careful analysis to find the right balance for economic, social and environmental values people may begin to re-engage.

Trust is fundamental to working together, and working together is fundamental to creating a healthy society. All of us must be involved in healing our culture of cynicism and distrust.

Signed,

David Swann MD

MLA Calgary MountainView

Two Hopeful Events for Peace

WALK AGAINST VIOLENCE

David with Syed and Buddhist priests David with Syed David with Raging GranniesDavid with Raging Grannies

This weekend, I had the privilege of attending events for peace that give me much hope and much to be grateful for. On September 6, I was at Eau Claire Market for the arrival of the Multi-Faith Walk Against Violence.

Here is a description of the Walk Against Violence:
“On April 20 Syed Soharwardy, dipped his shoes in the Atlantic Ocean and vowed to take a walk across this country, accompanied by leaders and members of all faiths and denominations. The aim of this Multifaith Walk is to raise awareness about the effects of violence on individuals and on societies. The walkers also wish to call attention to the use of faith as a resource for overcoming violence.” Syed still has a long way to go – he is going to take the next 6 weeks to walk to Vancouver and complete his cross-country walk. It is truly significant what one man with a powerful vision can do!

Walk Against Violence


OASIS OF PEACE

On Sunday, I was invited to attend an event held at the Canyon Meadows Community Centre and introduce Ahmad Hijazi, the Director of the School for Peace at Village of Wahat al-Salam/Neve Shalom (Oasis of Peace) in Israel. This is a remarkable community in Israel where approximately 60 Jewish and Arab (both Christian and Muslim) families all live peacefully together in one community. The evening featured an art show called “See us from your heart” featuring works of art by children from the village as well as other children from the Tulkarem Refugee camp. It was such a pleasure to see such a hopeful community where families have been putting peace into action for over 30 years, and proving that Jews and Arabs are not natural enemies – and that working on peace takes a deliberate and committed effort in the community.

Paula Arab wrote an excellent article about it in the Calgary Herald.
Painting over historic hatreds with the hope of children

This is the website of the American Friends of Oasis of Peace