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As a Canadian, and a pacifist, I admit to not understanding the desire to own guns that is so pervasive with our neighbours to the south. I do not believe that individuals have the right to carry military weapons (or any guns etc at all) around on a daily basis – I don’t even think that the military for any country needs, or should have, weapons like that. If they were all destroyed, I believe that it would make the world a much more peaceful place.
So, when I came across this article, I thought that it deserved to be shared. I have no idea who the person is or what his background is – all I know is what is in the video.
https://newsstand.google.com/articles/CAIiEDEOa8M8w-iwEaEKxAX0d7oqGQgEKhAIACoHCAowqeP_CjDdg_oCMMTh6QU
I would love it if this spreads, and he helps to start building some momentum for others to do the same thing.  Interesting peacebuilding initiatives really come from anywhere when someone decides to make a concrete change towards peace. 🙂

We have reached another milestone – 200 signatures. That means we doubled in about 10 days or so. Let’s try to beat that, and double again in one week. Let’s aim to have at least 400 signatures by next weekend. If every signatory adds even one person, we’ll reach our goal, and hopefully exceed it!
Here’s a little graphic that I came across from the Fraser Institute. It’s a few years old, but covers school enrollment in Ontario from 2000-2013. It shows a clear trend towards decreases enrollment in public schools and an almost 10% increase in enrollment in independent schools.
https://www.fraserinstitute.org/file/student-enrolment-in-canada-ontario-infographicjpg
Happy Weekend! 🙂

Progress is moving along well here! We are now at nearly 200 signatures, and increasing steadily. Just had an article passed on to me from the Waterloo Record. As Catholic enrollment decreases, and non-Catholics are being added to fill empty seats, it seems increasingly hard to justify full funding for the Catholic system at the expense of other schools. It appears, to me, that these Catholic schools are operating essentially the same as any other independent school in Ontario, or the rest of Canada. Since other provinces provide equal funding to all independent schools, then it’s time for Ontario to equalize as well. Let’s make this the year that we make the change! Please share widely and help build support for this issue. Thanks! 🙂
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8107861-catholic-board-has-many-many-non-catholics-so-why-duplicate-funding-john-hendry-says/

We are definitely building momentum on this important issue – and have just achieved our first 100 signatures! On Jan 25, 25 signatures were added in one day, which is great to see. The next goal is 250 signatures, and I am confident that we will get there soon. Let’s continue to build, and get the attention of the government. Thank you for your support!
Details here: https://www.change.org/p/kathleen-wynne-end-discriminatory-funding-for-catholic-public-private-schools-in-ontario.

Great news! In less than 24 hours, we have more than doubled our signatures – from 22 to 50, and numbers are steadily increasing! Let’s keep the momentum up, and show the government that it’s time to end this outdated and unfair funding structure. Thank you for your support! Please continue to help me by spreading the word, sharing on social media etc. Thank you! 🙂
https://www.change.org/p/kathleen-wynne-end-discriminatory-funding-for-catholic-public-private-schools-in-ontario

I have had a few discussions with people about this petition recently, and some, while supportive in principle, don’t quite see how this would impact them, so see less need to sign and promote it. While I understand the question (and I don’t sign every petition that I come across), I would suggest that the importance of this goes far beyond the realm of those of us who regularly travel to or live in the Middle East. I see this as a request for transparency and accountability from the Canadian government – if there is a chance that a group is getting treated unfairly, it is up to all of us to speak up for peace, justice and equality. Thank you to those of you who have already signed – please help me spread the word! 🙂
https://you.leadnow.ca/petitions/ensure-fair-travel-advisories-for-the-middle-east

A second issue that has been on my radar for a while is the unfair funding practices for schools in Ontario. Even the UN commented on it – 20 years ago! – and nothing has changed. I think that we are past due for some funding changes here in Ontario.
https://www.change.org/p/kathleen-wynne-end-discriminatory-funding-for-catholic-public-private-schools-in-ontario/share_for_starters?just_created=true
Please sign and spread the word. Thanks!

Quick petition update here: https://you.leadnow.ca/petitions/ensure-fair-travel-advisories-for-the-middle-east. The signature numbers are starting to come in, but there is a long ways to go yet. On the plus side, I checked today and noticed that my petition is currently being highlighted on the LeadNow petitions page.(https://you.leadnow.ca/categories) So, let’s keep going, spread the word and ensure a fair and peaceful process for all countries. Thank you!

I saw this too late to vote, and I haven’t watched all of the ads that were referenced, but I did watch the one at the top (which was voted the best in the end).  Definitely worth watching – if you work in the NGO world, or have any interest in the NGO world. It’s short, and very well done.
http://oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/vote-now-for-the-bestworst-charity-ads-of-2017/

Dear Friends,
I just added the petition “Ensure Fair Travel Advisories for the Middle East”.
It would mean a lot to me if you took a moment to add your name because:
Many countries in the Middle East, particularly Egypt, rely heavily on tourism for employment – providing direct and indirect income to countless people. When Western countries put up travel advisories, many people are discouraged from visiting. As a result, local incomes are reduced, unemployment is increased, poverty is worsened, and countless families suffer unnecessarily. This is an avoidable tragedy, and directly contradicts the aims of our international aid, and the great work of countless NGOs and others who are working on development in the region.
At the same time, many Western countries have had significant security events happen in major urban areas, and have not had similar advisories placed on them by the Canadian government.
Canadians (including myself) and other expats have lived, worked and traveled in and out of Egypt happily and safely over the last several decades, even when travel advisories have been present, including staff at the Canadian embassy in Cairo. This petition is not suggesting that there are no safety risks – simply asking that the region get treated fairly, and endorsed equally compared to Western countries.
https://you.leadnow.ca/petitions/ensure-fair-travel-advisories-for-the-middle-east
Real change happens when everyday people like you and I come together and stand up for what we believe in. Together we can reach heaps of people and help create change around this important issue.
After you’ve signed the petition please also take a moment to share it with others. It’s super easy – all you need to do is forward this link or share this link on Facebook or Twitter:
https://you.leadnow.ca/petitions/ensure-fair-travel-advisories-for-the-middle-east