Pages Menu
TwitterFacebook
Categories Menu

Canada

2011 progress report to the Global Alliance for
Ministries and Departments of Peace

Country: Canada
Campaign: Canadian Department of Peace Initiative
Contact Person: Saul Arbess & Theresa Dunn
Contact Email: saul.arbess@departmentofpeace.ca, therdunn@sympatico.ca
Website: www.departmentofpeace.ca

CDPI ACTIVITY REPORT FOR THE PERIOD OCT. 2009 – JULY 2011

The Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI) began in 2003 and was founded in Victoria, Canada, the host of the 2006 Summit.

This period has seen continued growth of our initiative as outlined below:

  • Bill C-447, the Department of Peace Bill, moved by Bill Siksay (NDP) and seconded by Jim Karygiannis(Liberal) passed First Reading in the House of Commons with 20 co-signers, the maximum allowable under the rules
  • Siksay further introduced Motion M-463, calling for MPs to endorse the principles set out in the Bill and seconded by Jack Layton, NDP leader
  • Created 3 new chapters in Charlottetown, Winnipeg and Whitehorse so that we now have chapters from coast to coast to coast bringing the total to 12
  • Received support from Michael Ignatieff, Liberal Leader of the Opposition, for the creation of a Minister of State for Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention in Foreign Affairs Canada
  • Convened our AGM and National Conference in Winnipeg, Oct. 1-3, in partnership with the Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA) where 4 of our members made presentations
  • Chair, the Global Alliance Leadership Council, and member of the Summit Planning Team (SPT) for the 5th Summit to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, Oct. 2-6, 2011
  • Gained increased media coverage, especially following the introduction of the Bill C-447, from the CBC, the National Post, the Edmonton Journal and the Vancouver Sun, Peace and Environment News, Shambala Times, on YouTube and on local radio
  • Augmented our list of supporters, individuals and groups, including Dr. Anne Pearson of McMaster U., Anglican Synod (Ottawa), Shambala International, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice (CUSJ) the Women Nobel Peace Laureates, with our supporters now representing over one million Canadians
  • Presented Peace Festivals in Ottawa, Montreal and Hamilton, during the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, 2010, and beyond, Ottawa’s lasting 18 days with 24 events
  • Hosting the peace pilgrim, Jean Beliveau, as he completes his 11 year worldwide walk for peace for the children of the world, walking across Canada to his home in Montréal, where CDPI will be represented at the official reception for him at City Hall in the presence of the former Ambassador to UNESCO and the Mayor ( see www.wwwalk.org ).

Submitted by Dr. Saul Arbess, National Co-chair, Canadian Department of Peace Initiative