DEPARTMENT OF PEACE BILL PASSES FIRST READING, SEPT. 30, 2009, A MILESTONE FOR THE CDPI
UPDATE:
AS OF DEC. 3, 2009, THE ALLOWABLE 20 SECONDERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PEACE BILL HAS BEEN REACHED, MADE UP OF MEMBERS OF THE NPD AND LIBERAL PARTIES. THE MOVER, BILL SIKSAY, NDP, HAS INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY RARE ACHIEVEMENT.
THERE IS NOW AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MPS TO SIGN ON TO MOTION M-463 TO ENDORSE THE PRINCIPLE OF THE BILL. THE MOTION READS:
M-463 — November 2, 2009 — Mr. Siksay (Burnaby—Douglas) — That the House endorse the principle of the establishment of a Department of Peace as part of the structure of the federal government and cabinet with a mandate to advocate for the non-violent resolution of conflict at home and abroad, the professionalization of peace work by Canadians, and the development of a culture of peace in Canada and internationally.
M-463 — 2 novembre 2009 — M. Siksay (Burnaby—Douglas) — Que la Chambre appuie le principe de la création d’un ministère de la Paix au sein du gouvernement fédéral et du Cabinet avec pour mandat de promouvoir la résolution non violente des conflits au Canada et à l’étranger, la professionnalisation du travail de paix accompli par les Canadiens et le développement d’une culture de la paix au Canada et à l’échelle internationale.
To read in full Bill in English or French, please go to:
<http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=4116951&Language=e&Mode=1>
CDPI -CPSC MEDIA RELEASE: 30th Sept. 2009
For an interview with the proponents of the Bill, for the English version, please go to:
Pour la version française, voir:
Private Members Bill for Department of Peace by Hon Bill Siksay , MP (Douglas-Burnaby)
The first ever legislative Bill for a Department of Peace in the Canadian Parliament, BILL C-447, was tabled on Sept. 30 in the Parliament as a Private Members Bill by the NDP MP Bill Siksay (Douglas-Burnaby), and seconded by the Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis (Scarborough-Agincourt). The Bill calls for a Federal Department of Peace, headed by a Cabinet level Minister.
The proposed Department in the Bill is along the lines of a Model legislative Bill proposed by the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative(CDPI) . Since 2004, CDPI has been promoting a strategic focus for sustainable peace within the Federal Government, working towards a Culture of Peace at home and abroad and through its Minister provide the Prime Minister with advise and recommendations on effective conflict transformation through nonviolent means.The Bill advocates through the creation of a Civilian Peace Service a specialized cadre of peace professionals, a new form of capacity building trained in prevention, mediation, and reconciliation at cutting edge of problems, instead of current sole reliance on “suits” and “boots”. Diplomats and Soldiers are not generally trained to work on dealing with the problems of root causes of conflicts at the ground level. Additional elements of the Bill seek within this Department a special profile on important issues such as Nuclear Disarmament, Human and Economic Rights, Peace Education and Prevention of Violence in Canada.
CDPI is a part of the world wide movement of Global Alliance of Departments/Ministries for Peace with civil society representation from 40 countries. Its fourth Summit was held this month in San Jose, Costa Rica where President Arias announced the establishment of a Ministry for Justice and Peace making Costa Rica the third country with a Peace Department. Nepal and Solomon Islands are other two countries with Ministries for Peace. This is a tremendous progress for the Global movement in having convinced in five years the governments in three countries the usefulness of a Peace Ministry in the government.
We see the Canadian Private Members Bill as an important initiative that will revitalize Canada’s role as a global peacebuilder.
CDPI has currently 10 active chapters (and additional 2 without chairs) across Canada and has been endorsed by over 30 prominent peace and social justice organizations. For more information, please visit: www.departmentofpeace.ca or contact CDPI National Co-Chairs: Dr. Saul Arbess (250-383-5878) and Theresa Dunn(613-897-5055), and in Ottawa CDPI Co-founder Dr. Bill Bhaneja (613-244-1979)
For more information on Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC) visit the web-site www.civilianpeaceservice.ca, or contact CPSC Co-Chairs Gordon Breedyk (gbreedyk@rogers.com and 613-721-9829) or Hans Sinn (hans1nn@xplornet.com and 613-264-8833).
Nothing nourishes and heals our souls – so wounded by the unbearable violence – as peace breaking out all over the world! Congratulations on adding momentum to the Global movement. Our MA state campaign participates in The Peace Alliance and Student Peace Alliance support of the bill for a U.S. Department of Peace (HR 808) and the Youth Promise Act (HR 1064 and S435), and in supporting conditions for peace in our communities.
Comment by Pat Simon — October 16, 2009 @ 8:33 am
So proud of all of you – I know how hard you have all worked to make this step a reality. And kudos to Hon. Bill Siksay for championing this oh so important bill.
Comment by Sandi Smith — November 6, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
I have only learned about this private member’s bill in the last few hours, so I’m very eager to learn what it’s all about. I am thrilled that at least some members of parliament recognize that a Peace Department has legitimacy. I’m assuming that it will provide a channel for (international) relations based on non-military strategies, strategies which, in my mind, only increase the levels of hate and destruction that our planet must endure.
Congratulations to all those members who worked on this bill! And thank you, thank you, thank you. I will revise my level of cynicism as to what our representatives are doing. I look forward to a positive outcome for Bill C447.
Comment by Eric Unger — November 14, 2009 @ 4:10 pm