November 2015
Members endorsed several upcoming events and resolutions to share.
Two SEA members are pursuing separate Citizen Assembly projects to engage the general populace in more democratic discourse and they are looking for your input so here are some details on where and when for each.
BCspeaks Planning Extravaganza Sunday, November 8th, 2pm to 4pm
Community Room at the Victoria Public Library, Central Branch
BCspeaks is a non-profit startup that wants to strengthen BC's democracy by organizing community-based citizen assemblies on topics chosen by local residents. In doing so, it hopes to give citizens a louder political voice and make our politics more deliberative and inclusive.
They are having a planning session to figure out how to pull this off, and they want YOU to help them. No experience necessary (just your enthusiasm), but all those with experience with non-profits are especially welcome
Refreshments will be provided
Hope to see you there Contact Simon for more information -
General Invitation for activists interested in Citizen Assemblies
Sunday, November 15th, 2pm to 4pm
1560 Hillside Ave - Common Room
1560 Hillside Ave (a condo on NW corner of Doncaster and Hillsie - across from the Hillside Mall. Bus service outside building on Hillside, or car parking in Mall parking lot)
Common Room - ground floor near entrance doors. Refreshments available at gathering.
Dale Perkins' residence - phone messages can be left at # two five zero 370 9682
The purpose of the gathering is to assemble interested activists concerned about the level of political cynicism pervasive in our area among folks living here. The intention is to organize a pilot Citizen Assembly for this region, drawing people from the General Victoria region to discuss/debate a number of vitally important issues which are currently before the BC Legislature. The goal would be to upgrade the level of political engagement by regular citizens, living in our area, with the intent of improving political accountability among MLAs representing this area and bringing about a better community.
The core proposal (suggested by a SEA member - Dale Perkins) is to organize a Citizen's Assembly of residents living in any of the Greater Victoria constituencies, i.e. Victoria-Beacon Hill, Oak Bay/Gordon Head, Victoria/Swan Lake, South Saanich and Esquimalt constituencies, prior to the next session of the BC Legislature around four or five critically important issues, e.g., health and social services, education concerns, environmental concerns, income support and housing issues. There would be a morning session with only non-elected residents present and participating, with an afternoon session with the MLA representatives present to hear and learn what their constituents think must be done concerning these issues. There would also be a follow-up session announced (soon after the Legislature closes) for residents to hear how their MLA representatives acted on their behalf during that session of the Legislature, and to provide opportunity for follow-up on these and other issues.
This will be an organizing gathering, to tailor a Constituency Assembly prior to the Spring session of the Legislature. Anyone interested in participating in this inquiry and organizing session is welcome. An advance phone call (given above) would assist in arrangements.
COP21 UN Climate Change Conference
SEA members voted to campaign & pressure Justin Trudeau to commit to emission targets ahead of the Conference and we endorsed reducing levels to 20% below 1990 levels and be 100% emission free by 2035.
We also endorsed the Leap Manifesto and encourage all SEA members to sign the Manifesto.
What is The Leap Manifesto? The Leap Manifesto is a vision for how Canada can tackle climate change in a way that changes our country for the better.
There is an international petition called "The Road to Paris". It calls for: Zero global warming pollution. Zero extreme poverty.
https://roadtoparis.climaterealityproject.org/english.php Petitions calling on Justin Trudeau to take a strong stance going into the Paris summit.
http://you.leadnow.ca/p/paris
http://actclimate.org/
https://www.change.org/p/together-let-us-give-the-ocean-a-voice-oceanforclimate
https://www.change.org/p/members-of-the-un-framework-on-climate-change-unfccc-put-the-issue-of-animal-agriculture-on-the-agenda-of-the-cop21
https://www.change.org/p/demand-that-world-leaders-sign-a-strong-climate-agreement
OurClimate.ca Canadian Youth Delegation is crafting it's strategy for Paris. The COP21 Home Team is gearing up to put climate front and centre on the election landscape, and collectively we are preparing to hold the Canadian Government accountable to crafting solutions leading into 2016. If you want to keep up to date on the work we are doing, check out our blog at www.ourclimate.ca/cyd_blog