|
|
|
Homepage - EFAP Committee - Bursary Committee - Fight Back Campaign - Retirement Committee About Us Contact Us |
AN OPEN LETTER TO BRITISH COLUMBIANS:A COALITION TO WIN THE 2005 ELECTIONWe live in an extremely wealthy and beautiful province, rich in natural beauty, wildlife, minerals, fish, trees and talented people. There's enough for everyone to have a decent, healthy and fulfilling life. Yet we are in danger of losing much of what we have. After winning an election by promising a "New Era" the BC Liberals have proceeded to close seniors' facilities, hospitals, schools, welfare offices, courthouses and forestry offices. They have cut services, broken contracts, rewritten labour and environmental codes, and eliminated the Human Rights Commission. Now they are in the process of privatizing parts of BC Hydro. The response to the government's agenda has been clear and powerful. Tens of thousands of British Columbians have acted on their anger, their frustration and their concern for one another. In virtually every city and town in the province, from Victoria to Vanderhoof, from Penticton to Prince George, people have been building coalitions to advocate for a better British Columbia. These aren't just reactions to massive cuts in service. They reflect our belief in community responsibility and our rejection of the values that motivate the cuts. The government's program is an attempt to profoundly and permanently change the lives of the people of British Columbia. It's an attack on community in favour of private corporations. The growing popular resistance across the province is a reaffirmation of the values British Columbians have held for decades. Across the province people are asking: Where do we go from here? Certainly British Columbians will continue to engage in all kinds of demonstrations and community actions. But we also need to make sure the government isn't re-elected. The polls show clearly that the people of BC oppose the extremist policies being implemented by the BC Liberals. We need to start now to ensure a new government is elected and that the progressive vote is not split. We need a way to express our unity in 2005. That's why we have to discuss a provincial electoral coalition even more inclusive than the community coalitions taking shape today across our province - an electoral coalition based on the fundamental belief that we share responsibility for one another and that together we can make the needed changes. We need to invite people from diverse faith communities, First Nations, women, seniors, students, rural and small town residents, environmentalists, advocates, volunteers, union members, other workers, and young people who understand the effects of globalization, to be part of this strategy. Thousands of British Columbians who voted for the Liberals but are today appalled by where they are taking our province should be invited to participate. The strategy should include the New Democratic Party and the Green Party and British Columbians who have never been involved in electoral politics before. Such a coalition would need to reflect a broad set of guiding principles - the common ground we share, leaving room for discussion and diversity. Of course the development of these principles must be the work of all those who become involved. But here are some tentative ideas of what a coalition might call for: . increased support and resources for public health care and public education . a sustainable, diversified economic strategy . levels of social assistance and publicly-funded, community-based supports and services that provide security, dignity and inclusion for all . public services that are accountable to and meet community interests and needs . a healthy and sustainable environment . recognition of the rights of Aboriginal people . the right of workers to participate in free collective bargaining and have negotiated contracts honoured . a system of proportional representation We are not calling for a new political party. We're not asking for the NDP or the Greens to step aside or park their own programs. But the people of British Columbia cannot afford to split the vote against the Liberals in 2005. We must find a way to work together to build our province. This is a challenging and unique idea. What makes us optimistic, however, is the widespread understanding of the need for such a coalition. It has the potential to unite British Columbians from various walks of life who are determined to protect everything the current government has put at risk. Many complex questions present themselves - the kinds of questions that can only be answered as thousands of British Columbians in scores of communities across our province build the movement to defeat the Liberals in the next election. For now, the task is to begin the conversation, to start discussing these ideas seriously, in homes, at workplaces and places of worship, in our clubs and community organizations, in every coalition and organization that is resisting the government's actions. This process doesn't belong to any individual or organization, but it had to start somewhere. We hope that everyone who gets a copy of this letter will pass it on to friends and neighbours and begin the conversation that can become a movement This is a work in progress. We hope it will lead to a large provincial meeting some time in the not-too-distant future. But for now most of the tasks to be done are at the local level. We need to begin the difficult work now to make sure we win the 2005 election. If you are interested in the idea described above, or if you would like to participate in the discussion, we ask you to do three things: 1. Add your name to this statement. If you agree with the idea of a united electoral coalition, visit http://www.coalitionforbc.ca to add your name to the list. You can also email your name and address to info@coalitionforbc.ca or FAX 604-874-1036. We'll keep you informed of developments as this movement grows. 2. Send this statement to anyone you know who might be interested. Bounce it to your e-mail lists. Take it with you to your community organizations, to social events, to your classmates and workmates, to your union meeting, to your NDP or Green Party meeting, to your yoga class or your theatre group or your volleyball game. 3. Convene a meeting in your community to discuss the ideas and questions in this statement. Invite local NDP and Green members and leaders, and people who are neither NDPers or Greens. Let us know what happens. Signed by, (Organizational affiliations for identification purposes only.) Lisa Barrett, Mayor of Bowen Island Marion Best, Naramata David R. Boyd, environmental lawyer and professor, Pender Island David Chudnovsky, past president, British Columbia Teachers' Federation, Vancouver David Coles, Vice-President, Western Region, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, Vancouver Murray Dobbin, Council of Canadians, Vancouver Patty Ducharme, Regional Executive Vice-President (BC), Public Service Alliance of Canada Claire Kujundzic, artist and hunger-striker, Wells Dr. Gabor Maté, physician, Vancouver Ellie O'Day, past chair, Alliance for Arts and Culture, Vancouver Robert Smith, former moderator, United Church of Canada, Sunshine Coast Ben Swankey, executive board member, Seniors' Network of BC, Burnaby Jean Swanson, Anti-Poverty Activist, Vancouver |
HOMEPAGE |
ABOUT US |
SITEMAP |
LINKS |
CONTACT US |