Happy New Year

As we bring the year to a close, I wish you all the very best for a prosperous, safe, happy and healthy 2010. The new year is already presenting some new challenges and new directions for me and I am looking forward to them.

I will continue with this blog, although I will try to post on a more regular basis. I know that I've been a bit lax lately. My friend, and federal Green Party candidate Ellen Michelson who is in China now informed me that my blog is blocked there, which only inspires me to continue to bring you news relating to free speech and human rights, which to me are basic human rights that everyone, in all countries deserves.

This is why I was so against China being awarded the Olympic games in 2008 and why I continue to have a major beef with the IOC and their strange ways of rewarding countries that continue to abuse and torture their citizens. But that is just one of the many problems with China. We here in the west continue to fund their growth and power with our wallets while occasionally making weak remarks about human rights.  Of course we want human rights for all, but it is also easy to ignore the plight of those on the other side of the world in return for cheap blue jeans.

On another note, I've taken my interest in politics a step further by recently accepting the position of CEO for the provincial Green Party Constituency Association. I'm very excited about this new endeavor and I am looking forward to growing the party membership in the Toronto Centre riding. It's a time of renewed excitement for the provincial greens now that we have a new full time leader with Mike Schreiner taking the post. I've met Mike a few times and I like him very much and I think he is the right man for the job. You will certainly be hearing and seeing a lot of Mike in the coming months as he is working hard to spread the green message. We will also be having a by-election this coming year, here in Toronto Centre, since the Liberal MPP, George Smitherman stepped down to enter the Toronto Mayoral race. I have so much to learn and have already met so many interesting and diverse people through the party. If you would like any information or have any questions about the green party please don't hesitate to contact me.

It is an exciting time for the Green Party at the federal level, I predict 2010 will be the year we will elect our first MP in Canada.  Once that happens we are going to see  continued growth and more MP's and MPP's as time goes on. I hope you will join us and be a part of history!

Durham Region Health Loses Personal Information of over 80 Thousand People

Personal health information for 83,524 people has gone astray with the loss of a USB key in Durham Region.


The device contained data collected from everyone who attended H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccination clinics in the region between Oct. 23 and Dec. 15. It was lost on regional headquarters property at Rossland Rd. and Garden St. while being taken to a local clinic, said a health department news release.

The information stored on the USB key includes personal information such as name, address, phone number, date of birth, health card number, doctor's name and any health details provided at the time of vaccination.
A search of the area failed to find the device but the health department doesn't believe it was deliberately taken.

A letter will be sent out to those affected. Anyone with concerns or questions is advised to contact Durham Health Connection Line at 905-666-6241 or 1-800-841-2729.

It seems to me that we hear about this sort of thing more and more often these days. It has to make one wonder how safe all this technology is in the hands of the typical government or healthcare worker.  This will also do nothing to encourage people to get a flu shot in the future.

12 Days of Christmas

12 Days of Christmas video clip re-worked Indian style. Performed by animated popstar, Boymongoose and Indian boyband.

Vigil at the 519 to protest the "anti-homosexuality" legislation in Uganda. Please attend!

Pride Uganda Alliance International coalition will be holding a vigil at 519 Church St. Community Centre on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009 at 5:30-7:30 PM to protest the "Anti-homosexuality" proposed legislation under debate in the Uganda parliament.

The legislation calls for life imprisonment for queers, and imposes a 3 year sentence on anyone who fails to turn in homosexuals to the police.

Please come along and show your support!

Rachel Maddow: U.S. ties to Ugandan anti-gay bill

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Elizabeth May on Climate Change

Kyle Rae won't run again

Long-time Toronto city councillor Kyle Rae has announced he will not run for re-election next year.

In an email he sent to supporters this week, Rae confirmed he would not run.

He was first elected 19 years ago by voters in Toronto Centre-Rosedale, Ward 27.

Rae was outspoken on gay rights and was most recently chairman of Toronto's economic development committee. He helped the city build Pride Week into one of the biggest in the world.

He didn't give a specific reason why he won't run again and did not mention plans for the future.

Full Story

I'm not a fan of Kyle Rae and am happy to see him go, it's time for a change.

Mike Schreiner on The Agenda- Dec 8, 2009

If you think the Green Party of Ontario is made up of a bunch of anti-business, hippie tree huggers think again!  I strongly suggest you take a few minutes to watch this interview with the new Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner.


Ontario as a leader in green business initiatives? More power for municipalities? These are just a couple of topics Mike touches on in the interview. He is a man who believes that good business and good enviromental practices can work in harmony for a prosperous and greener Ontario.

I've met Mike and have listened to his ideas and am very pleased to have him as the new party leade

You will get to know a bit about Mike and his vision for the future of The Green Party in Ontario.


To learn more about the Ontario Green Party or to become a member please follow this link: http://www.gpo.ca/

Make your voice heard - Say no to the Gas-Fired Power Plant in Holland Marsh

Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario, has joined with concerned citizens and local farmers from the Holland Marsh, to launch a province-wide campaign against the construction of a natural gas plant on some of Ontario’s most bountiful farm land. Together, they are calling on the McGuinty government to stop imposing these plants on local communities and ensure Ontarians’ voices are heard.


Please sign the petition today! Click here.

$75,000 in rewards offered for clues to downtown murder

Toronto police and the family of Christopher Skinner have both issued cash rewards for help finding the killer of the 27-year-old who was described yesterday as a “collector of friends.”

Skinner was run over by a black SUV in the early morning of Oct. 18, while on his way home from celebrating his sister’s birthday at an Entertainment District nightclub. Police say as many as four men had exited the car and beaten him, before running him over.

“The SUV proceeded to drive directly over top of Christopher Skinner … and just drove away,” Detective Stacy Gallant said Tuesday morning while announcing a $50,000 incentive for witnesses to come forward.

Full Story

Copenhagen Climate Summit Begins

December 7 to December 18 2009, Canada will be joining the rest of the world in Copenhagen to negotiate a new treaty to address climate change.

The treaty is about much more than stabilizing the climate. At stake is the security of our energy, food and water. At stake is human development, human health and human rights. At stake is the sustainability of our ecosystems, renewable resources and economy. At stake is our future.

"We are certainly going to face a dire crisis, if not a catastrophe, across the world," says UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, urging countries like Canada to seal the deal on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

As we address our current economic challenges around the world, many people are asking why we were not prepared, why we did not see it coming?

Now, as the UN Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize winning scientists and economists tell us loudly and clearly the dangers that we face with climate change, we must pay attention.

Unfortunately, Canada has not been living up to its treaty responsibilities. Our government is now working to weaken the climate negotiations.

It is critical that right now, we Canadians demand real action on climate change.

It is time for real leadership.

Background

World leaders are gathering in Copenhagen to negotiate a global agreement on climate change for the post-Kyoto period. The decisions they make will determine the world our children inherit. Failure to commit to the dramatic changes that science demands could leave a vastly impoverished planet this century, no longer able to sustain us all.

Emerging science indicates that the emissions reduction targets being discussed in Copenhagen are likely too weak and Canada is proposing targets well short of this inadequate range. The Green Party of Canada is joining with Canadians to press our government for the commitments our children need.

Now is the time for Canada to take responsibility.

Green Party Will be There!

Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Jacques Rivard, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada will both be attending the negotiations in Copenhagen along with a large delegation of European Greens to push for meaningful political action on Climate Change.

Watch our website for updates from Elizabeth and Jacques on how the negotiations are going – check out their blogs and for video updates.

Join Elizabeth May at the Send-Off to Copenhagen Climate Rally happening Thursday, December 10th at the Halifax Airport Hotel @ 7:30 pm AT in Salon 200.

What can we do?

1. Find out more and demand clear targets e.g. 350.org
2. Sign a petition e.g. KYOTOplus or Hopenhagen
3. Write a letter to the editor
4. Write to Environment Minister Jim Prentice: minister@ec.gc.ca
5. Discuss the situation, use your voice, be heard
6. Vote - we can change our lightbulbs and our leadership

Sign the Kyoto Plus Petition

CBC News - World - Delegates in Denmark for climate summit

CBC News - World - Delegates in Denmark for climate summit