Message: 1
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1999 21:14:55 +0000
From: "William G." <william@cedar.alberni.net> Subject:
Dear Chapter Activists:
Thought you might be interested in these CCPA publications.
vgc
Victoria Gibb-Carsley
National Organizer
The Council of Canadians
502-151 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON K1P 5H3
Toll free: 1-800-387-7177
Phone: 613-233-4487 x 228
Fax: 613-233-6776
e-mail: vgibb-carsley@canadians.org
web site: http://www.canadians.org
November 2, 1999
NEW FROM THE CANADIAN CENTRE FOR POLICY ALTERNATIVES Dear Members and Friends of the CCPA:
From: Bruce Campbell, Executive Director
Hello! Here is our regular update of new publications from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. You can order our publications directly from the our web site. A lot of our material can be freely downloaded.
So check us out at: www.policyalternatives.ca Feel free to contact me if you have any comments about our work, or you want to become a member.
brucec@policyalternatives.ca.
ALTERNATIVE FEDERAL BUDGET 2000
AFB 2000, co-hosted by the Centre and CHO!CES, released a report on Nove mber 1, 1999 entitled: Alternative Fiscal and Economic Update: Policy Options for the Federal Government. as a counterpoint to Paul Martin's economic statement released today.
The main finding of the report is that the federal government has lots of fiscal room for public reinvestment without increasing tax levels and without threatening its balanced budget position. Under reasonable economic assumptions, the federal government will generate a final fiscal surplus of over $6 billion in the current (1999-2000) fiscal year, and almost $12 billion in the fiscal year covered by Paul Martin's upcoming budget (2000-2001). Over the next five budget years (fiscal 2000-01 through fiscal 2004-05), federal surpluses (in the absence of major new program or tax changes) will cumulate to a whopping $117 billion. These large surpluses arise thanks to the positive impact of continued economic growth on federal tax revenues, and the ongoing decline of debt service payments as a share of GDP (the result both of a falling debt burden and lower effective interest rates).
This report was produced by Dr. Jim Stanford, chair of the Macro and Fiscal Policy Committee of AFB 2000. The full report, Alternative Fiscal and Economic Update: Policy Options for the Federal Government, can be downloaded from the CCPA web site at; <www.policyalternatives.ca>
-------------------------
BEHIND THE NUMBERS: "Who Deserves a Break Today: What To do With The Federal Surplus,
By David Robinson; Released October 28, 1999,
Robinson makes a convincing case that Canadians have paid the price of deficit elimination mainly in reduced programs and transfers rather than lower taxes. Moreover the bottom 20% of families have experience by far the largest increase in their income taxes between 1993-97 (40.5%) compare to the top 10% whose taxes rose a mere 4.7%. Tax relief measures should be targeted at low and middle income households. David Robinson is Director of Public Policy at the CAUT and a research associate of the CCPA
"Who Deserves a Break Today: What To do With The Federal Surplus" can be downloaded from the CCPA web site at; <www.policyalternatives.ca>
-----------------------
YNN AND THE COMMERCIAL CARPET BOMBING OF THE CLASSROOM.
By Erica Shaker, CCPA Education Researcher Released October 26, 1999
This latest report from the CCPA provides a detailed explanation of private broadcaster Youth News Network (YNN), its evolution, the plans of its US parent corporation, the implications of commercial classroom involvement, and the means by which commercial ventures of this sort run counter to the fundamental principles of public education. Youth News Network (YNN) which consists of 10 minutes of "current events" and 2.5 minutes of commercials, will begin airing this fall in a handful of Canadian schools, despite stiff resistance from students, parents, teachers, community groups, and the majority of provincial governments. YNN is based on the enormously profitable Channel One, currently in 40 percent of American schools and watched by 8.1 million students daily. At a time when schools are increasingly vulnerable due to chronic under-funding, the public needs to be armed with the tools to keep our classrooms free of corporate manipulation so they can continue to provide quality education to all Canadians.
Copies of the report are available on the CCPA web site: http://www.policyalternatives.ca
MISSING PIECES: AN ALTERNATIVE GUIDE TO CANADIAN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION By Denise Doherty-Delorme and Erika Shaker (eds.) (CCPA publishing)
Coming November 18, 1999
The narrow criteria traditionally used to rank Canada's universities and colleges neglect or underestimate the impact of government under-funding and corporate intrusion, and fail to assess the quality and accessibility of post-secondary education from the standpoint of students. MISSING PIECES focuses on the effects of education policy on a province-by-prov ince basis ranking each provincial government performance. The editors, along with other education researchers, critically examine the post-secondary education system and offer workable solutions to its problems.
Denise Doherty Delorme is a researcher with the Canadian Federation of Students and a CCPA research associate. Erika Shaker is the CCPA's education researcher
Copies of Missing Pieces are available from the CCPA and selected bookstores for $15.00. Bulk orders are available at a rate of $8.00 per copy plus shipping.
----------------------------
THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION: A CITIZEN'S GUIDE by Steven Shrybman (CCPA/Lorimer):
Released October 18, 1999
The World Trade Organization is a global institution of staggering power.
With a membership of 135 countries and a mandate to administer and enforce international trade agreements worldwide, it is not an exaggeration to say that this organization constitutes a form of world government. The WTO is using it is extraordinary powers to force governments to modify public policies most often to conform to corporate interests. Steven Shrybman offers an independent view of the WTO and how it is using its powers in areas ranging from agriculture and environment to labour and culture.
World leaders meet in Seattle later this year to launch the so-called millennium round of WTO negotiations. WTO: A Citizen's Guide is a timely and valuable resource for all who want to understand its profound impacts on our lives.
Copies of The World Trade Organization: A Citizen's Guide can be obtained from the CCPA for $19.95 each (price includes shipping within North America, handling and GST #124146473RT). (Discounts available for bulk orders)
------------------------
TEN TAX MYTHS
by Murray Dobbin
Released October 4, 1999
The high-powered campaign for tax cuts in Canada, mounted by big business and relentlessly promoted by right-wing politicians, think-tanks and the commercial media, is based on misleading data, specious arguments, and outright falsehoods. That is the central finding of best-selling author and activist Murray Dobbin, His report is designed to expose and refute the prevalent tax myths and to provide the facts about our tax system that its attackers conveniently ignore. "Ten Tax Myths" will equip citizens with the information and analysis needed to debunk these myths.
Ten Tax Myths has been met by a predictably hostile response from the tax cut lobby. For example Michael Walker of the Fraser Institute says: "there is a superficial appeal to the analysis that does not stand up to careful scrutiny."
Ten Tax Myths can be downloaded for free from the CCPA web site at http://www.policyalternatives.ca > Hard copies are available for $10.00 each. (bulk orders are available for $5.00 each plus shipping) Murray Dobbin is available to speak at conventions and conferences.
A PRIMER ON CANADIAN PRODUCTIVITY: (Everything You Wanted to Know about Productivity But Were afraid to Ask)
by Marc Lee, Research Economist, CCPA BC Office October 1999, (CCPA publishing)
The state of Canada's productivity has been the subject of much commentary and debate. Despite widespread coverage in the media, the concept of productivity and how to measure it meaningfully remains confused. This primer is intended to shed light on the concept and key issues posed by the productivity debate.
Copies of A PRIMER ON CANADIAN PRODUCTIVITY can be purchased from the CCPA at $6.00. bulk orders are available at a rate of $4.00 per copy plus shipping. It will be available shortly on our web site: <
www.policyalternatives.ca >
Hi Chapter Folks: I've been asked to pass this along,. Hope some of you will make it to Seattle!
vgc
Victoria Gibb-Carsley
National Organizer
The Council of Canadians
502-151 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON K1P 5H3
Toll free: 1-800-387-7177
Phone: 613-233-4487 x 228
Fax: 613-233-6776
e-mail: vgibb-carsley@canadians.org
web site: http://www.canadians.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Aaron Koleszar [SMTP:aaronk@isn.net] Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 1999 3:52 PM To: Victoria; Laura; Jo;
cbrunt@canadians.org Subject: For Council Chapters, etc. - URGENT - Deadline: Catch the "Trade Train" to the WTO meetings in Seattle!!!
Importance: High
Hello Victoria, Laura, Jo, and Carol,
I sent this to you all, since I'm not sure who would be the proper person.
Can you please send this message ASAP to all chapters, individuals, and others who might be interested in the train to Seattle.
I am also sending more detailed info, which you can also send if you feel it appropriate.
Aaron
------------------------------------------------------------ ***VERY TIGHT TIMELINES FOR TRADE TRAIN TICKET PAYMENT If you plan to go on the train, contact us right away!!!
(Aaron Koleszar <aaronk@isn.net>, 902-659-2570) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Catch the "Trade Train" to the WTO meetings in Seattle!!!
***Get on board Sierra Youth Coalition's (SYC's) "Trade Train" to the World Trade Organization's Third Ministerial Conference in Seattle (November 29 to December 3)! It leaves Halifax on Nov.20, crosses Canada, and arrives in BC on the 26th, picking up people, and doing Teach-Ins, Actions, and media events along the way.
Tens of thousands of activists from around the world will congerge on Seattle and make their presence felt! There will be alternative conferences, workshops, teach-ins, meetings, parades, art, theatre, demonstrations, actions, and countless other planned and spontaneous events.
This promises to be the:
EVENT OF THE MILLENNIUM!
PROTEST OF THE MILLENNIUM!
CELEBRATION OF THE MILLENNIUM!
FESTIVAL OF THE MILLENNIUM!
This is a rare opportunity to speak out and be heard, to expose and oppose.
It is an essential step in building a global movement to overcome the "elite corporate regime" that is now at the controls.
It is an opportunity to offer a vision of a better future, a world where human rights and ecology are not subservient to profit. A world of justice, peace, freedom, equality, and recognized interdependence.
JOIN US !!! Come to Seattle if you can. If not, join the us for part of the trip and/or organize locally!
The "Trade Train" is scheduled to make stops in Halifax, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Sudbury Junction, Capreol, Hornepayne, Sioux Lookout, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper, Kamloops North, Vancouver, and Seattle.
We have reserved one 62 person train car, where there will be teach-ins, workshops, discussions, strategy sessions, music, art, and other fun and useful activities. We will be stopping to do Actions and media events along the way.
Contact us ASAP if you'd like to
*join us on the "Trade Train" (even just for part of the trip) *find out the "Trade Train" schedule
*greet us at train stations along the way *help arrange media coverage in your town *get resources for local "Teach-Ins" and other actions *find out other travel options (flights, bus, etc.) *support us in any other way (feel free to ask us what we need).
But hurry though, the WTO isn't going to wait for us!
***Confirm with us ASAP, since the ticketing deadline is Nov. 15, and the "Trade Train" is first come, first serve.
More details available upon request.
For the Earth,
Aaron Koleszar <aaronk@isn.net>
National GE / WTO Campaign Coordinator
Sierra Youth Coalition
902-659-2570 (PEI), 1-888-790-7393
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
***VERY TIGHT TIMELINES FOR TRADE TRAIN TICKET PAYMENT If you plan to go on the train, contact us right away!!!
(Aaron Koleszar <aaronk@isn.net>, 902-659-2570)
This is URGENT since payment for your train ticket MUST be paid for through Sierra Youth Coalition. This is the only way to do it since the train is nearly booked full, and we have one car reserved - BUT THIS ONLY WORKS IF WE PAY AS A GROUP.
The ticketing deadline is Nov. 15, SO WE MUST HAVE PAYMENT BY THEN!
We can arrange payment details when you contact us.
Aaron
----------------------------------------------------------------------- LETTER TO PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE "TRADE TRAIN" OR PLANE TO SEATTLE **** If you need to raise money, start RIGHT AWAY! You can do it, just put your mind to it.
We can help with fundraising ideas, letters, etc.
If you want to go, there's a few things you have to do right away. Read though this email and get on it today!
Please let me know ASAP if you'd (definetly, maybe, or possibly) like to come on the "Trade Train", since the ticketing deadline is Nov. 15, and the "Trade Train" is first come, first serve.
Again I will ask that you inform me ASAP of your train status (definetly, maybe, or possibly), and let me know which group you are with.
If you have other questions, don't hesitate to ask.
The rest of this email begins with an index showing what's inside.
For the Earth,
Aaron Koleszar <aaronk@isn.net>
National GE / WTO Campaign Coordinator
Sierra Youth Coalition
902-659-2570 (PEI), 1-888-790-7393
********************************************************** Aaron Koleszar <aaronk@isn.net>
GE / WTO National Campaign Coordinator
Sierra Youth Coalition
1200-1 Nicholas St., Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7 1-902-659-2570 (PEI), 1-888-790-7393
***Get on board SYC's "Trade Train" to the World Trade Organization's Millennium Round Conference in Seattle (November 29 to December 3)! It leaves Halifax on Nov.20, crosses Canada, and arrives in BC on the 26th, picking up people, and doing teach-ins and media events along the way.
"Science is not bad, but there is bad science. Genetic Engineering is bad science working with big business for quick profit against the public good."
-Dr. Mae-Wan Ho, UK Open University