Petitions

Edited: September, 2012

Are petitions effective? Did people read the one against the body scanners that was on one of the petition sites? Are boycotts more effective? Speaking out must make a difference. It would be great if people tried to change things and make a difference with public pressure. See my comments below about direct democracy. I like petitions that call for governments, businesses and other organizations to change their practices. But I guess people would have to coordinate with each other to make a bigger splash, if they were able to get along and communicate and agree on basic principles.

General Info – Petition Sites:

• PetitionOnline.comthepetitionsite.com
• Petitions to the Canadian Parliament  (pdf) (original: http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/house/Petitions/petitionsPG2006_all-e.pdf)

Petition Examples:

• REFERENDUMS IN CANADA:
  THE EFFECT OF POPULIST DECISION-MAKING ON REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY 
  (pdf)Some provincial governments allow for these. I believe we need to push the Canadian Parliament to allow binding referenda, so there should be an overwhelming petition to this effect directed towards parliament. Can we push for direct democracy (but it’s an oligarchy) (using a majoritarian system towards libertarian ends) but basically it is more constructive if we adopted direct democracy 100%, hire temporary executives and let MPs retire.
  Majorities don’t automatically legitimate legislation at all but I think it is likely a referendum is more legitimate in most cases. The fact is that parliament is surrendering its authority to the courts and to international bodies like the G8, UN, SPP, NAFTA, NATO, …. so the people have less and less representation through their Members of Parliament every day. (Adding some later edits in here: MPs swear an oath to the Queen by the way. Can an MP represent us?)
• On a related subject, the rights of juries need to be enhanced also (and the courts need to be non-authoritarian and actually work for the people).

Others’ Petitions – Read and sign the ones you agree with:

• Stop Bill C-51

  My comments:
  I oppose further restrictions on our freedoms.
  I am tired of decisions being made for Canadians through foreign international agencies and treaties that are outside of parliamentary representation.

• Block Extradition of Marc Emery (this didn’t stop the extradition, but at least people got together to stick up for Marc)

 

• Grassroots Apology for Residential Schools Abuses in Canada

• Canadians against the New Copyright Bill c-61

• Canadian Petition To End the Injustice Towards Victims

 

• Canada Customs has no business looking in my laptop!

• Iraqi Community Supports CAF’s positions against the occupation of Iraq (http://www.petitiononline.com/iraqcaf/petition.html) (for Iraqi Canadian community to sign)

• Don’t know: Justice for Mohammed Momin Khawaja Update on his sentencing. Was it proper justice? Was he guilty?

• Canada must cease combat roles in Afghanistan until it independently investigates and confirms Osama Bin Laden’s complicity in the attacks of September 11, 2001
  

• Canada Out of Afghanistan! Bring the Troops Home Now! (needs updating)

• Canada and Freedom of Choice (Satellite TV)

• Petition for the Defunding of Abortion

• Stricter Sentencing for Pedophiles in Canada

• Stop the Banning Of Leaded Fuels In Competition Racing In Canada – Comment: libertarian approach would be to let fans and participants agree to voluntary contracts regarding lead.

• CFB Gagetown Agent Orange

June 29th, 2008 and September 12, 2008

(Non-WordPress Post)