Dialogue for Democracy Meeting, June 9, 2009

• The date for the next D4D meeting has been brought forward to Tuesday, June 9, 2009.
  
  Time: 7:00 pm
  
  Location: St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church, 2345 Alta Vista Drive.
  
  The topic for this meeting is “The State of Democracy in Canada.”
  
  There are many issues in the news today that challenge the democratic process at all three level of government in Canada. Here are some examples:
  
  over 1 million federal voters across Canada cast their votes without receiving any representation in parliament from their party of choice;
• a prime minister prorogues parliament for the sole purpose of avoiding a vote of no confidence; a political party launches personalized attack ads that seek to differentiate between citizens (immigrants, residents and non-residents);
• a public judicial inquiry is under way into the business dealings between an ex-prime minister and an international business man and lobbyist;
• a criminal trial of the mayor of Ottawa for pretending to have influence over the government of Canada or a minister of the government in order to gain a benefit; and for soliciting, recommending or negotiating an appointment in order to gain a benefit, both contrary to the Criminal Code;
• provisions of the provincial and municipal elections acts that allow election campaign donations from corporations and unions in areas where there is real potential for conflicts of interest.
  
  Councillor Clive Doucet, a local politician and activist with a particular interest in governance issues will introduce the topic. This is a large subject that will likely take more than a two hour session to cover effectively, so we are considering holding follow-up D4D sessions. Speakers from other levels of government will be invited to attend.
  
  This should prove to be an interesting and exciting meeting. You are invited to come along and have your say. This will be the final D4D meeting of the season. Meetings will resume again in the fall.
  
  For further information please visit out web site http://www.ottawasouthgreenparty.ca/ or phone Colin at 613-739-2784.