SIKSAY INTRODUCES DEPARTMENT OF PEACE BILL

The following GREAT NEWS is on the website of Bill Siksay, NDP MP. See: Department of Peace Bill

SIKSAY INTRODUCES DEPARTMENT OF PEACE BILL

30 Sep 09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2009

SIKSAY INTRODUCES DEPARTMENT OF PEACE BILL


OTTAWA – Today, in the House of Commons, Bill Siksay, MP (Burnaby Douglas), tabled a private member’s bill which would establish a federal Department of Peace. A broadly mandated Department of Peace would create a governmental infrastructure with a mandate to promote a culture of peace and nonviolent resolution of conflict in Canada and abroad. It would also establish a Canadian Civilian Peace Service to further professionalize peace work by Canadians. The bill is based on a model developed by the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative.

“The promotion of peace should not be a secondary pursuit of our government or of our Minister of Foreign Affairs. It deserves its own minister, its own department, and its own resources dedicated to that task. The bill would put peace front and centre,” said Siksay.

The bill was seconded by the Hon. Jim Karygiannis, P.C., M.P. (Scarborough-Agincourt), who said, “Canadians believe that this country has a particular calling to promote peace and non-violence around the world. This bill will enshrine those values in the structure of our government. We’re proudest of our leaders who put peace in the forefront of their work.”

“Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI) and our partner organizations across Canada consider this to be a momentous occasion. Bill Siksay's private members bill should make the government realize the deep longing among the electorate for a culture of peace at home and abroad and nonviolent resolution of conflicts – the need to bring peace through peaceful means. We hope that this bill will be a significant step towards building institutions for long-term research and policy action for sustainable peace,” noted Bill Bhaneja and Saul Arbess CDPI Co-Chairs.

"The creation of a Department of Peace for Canada is a significant step in restoring Canada's reputation as a peacebuilder and peacemaker. In recent years Canada has lost its way in international affairs; it is no longer regarded as a trusted, independent Middle Power. Canada's credibility and influence in this regard must be restored the creation of a Department of Peace is a major first step in this direction," said Gord Breedyk, Co Chair Civilian Peace Service Canada (CPSC)

“The launch of a comprehensive Department of Peace would advance the cause of peace in Canada and throughout the world,” concluded Siksay.


-30-