Theme: Building a Culture of Peace in Canada and Abroad
Friday, April 17, 7:00-9:30 PM

The evening featured a stimulating and provocative talk by Linda McQuaig, entitled: After Afghanistan: Reinvigorating Canada’s Role as a Global Peacebuilder. She spoke of a rising militarism and the growing military-industrial complex in Canada and saw
a department of peace as an antidote, stating that war is obselete. She was introduced by Borys Wresnewskyj, MP, a staunch supporter of the CDPI. Bill Siksay, NDP-MP, spoke of his work in drafting a Private Members Bill calling for a department of peace.
There were two excellent and joyful choirs that sang, the Children’s Ensemble from Helen Detwiler School and the Sudanese Canadian Cultural Association Singers.

Simon Mach, speaking of his experience in Sudan, reminded us that peace is more than the absence of war; it is the love of husband and wife, the love of parents for children, the love we have for one another.

Saturday, April 18, 9:30 AM -5:30 PM

The 2008-9 Activity Report was given by Bill Bhaneja, outgoing Pan Canadian Co-chair and brief reports on a Civilian Peace Service, on Women Building Peace, on a Youth Peace Camp, on Cities for Peace, and on Nuclear Disarmament, followed by a panel of Bill Siksay MP (NDP), Jim Karygiannis MP (Liberal), and Steven LaFrenie (Green Party candidate) on how we can work together for a culture of peace. Each stressed the importance of a non-partisan approach among the political parties. In the afternoon we had a panel on the Department of Peace’s domestic, local and municipal potential with a report on our current initiative for a Hamilton Culture of Peace Commission, with Brian McHattie (Hamilton City Councilor, Ward 1), Gail Rappolt (Hamilton Culture of Peace Network), and Dick Preston (Hamilton Chapter, CDPI), The rest of the day was devoted to strategic planning for the CDPI over the next year.

Sunday, April 19, 10 AM-2:00 PM, AGM Business Meeting

There were reports from each of the chapters attending and from the Pan Canadian youth coordinator, indicating the richness and variety of activities undertaken. Further discussion ensued on how to increase youth participation by developing peacebuilding as a professional career path and working more closely with YOUCAN, a Pan Canadian youth organization that has been interested in the CDPI.

The Minutes of the April 6, 2009, AGM, were approved. The Activity Report from the Co-chairs was tabled. The Financial Report was adopted with amendments.  The report on possible federal incorporation of the CDPI, now registered as the Society to Promote Departments of Peace in British Columbia, was discussed. It was agreed that further research was required and that we would remain with the status quo for the time being. The CDPI is seen as a federation of chapters each having local autonomy within the framework of the agreed-upon goal of promoting a Canadian department of peace.

Theresa Dunn was selected by acclamation as the new Pan Canadian Co-chair for Eastern Canada in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the CDPI.

An Action Plan, 2009-10, was developed in draft form. Chapters agreed to take on certain tasks related to the plan.

Generally, it was agreed that we keep our focus on establishing a Cabinet-level Minister and Department of Peace, with both international and domestic responsibilities, while pursuing intermediate steps such as a Cabinet-level Minister of State for Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention within Foreign Affairs.