Bill Bhaneja, co-founder of the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative, writes that, “Bill C-447, An Act to Establish the Department of Peace, was tabled in the House of Commons on September 30 as a Private Members Bill by NDP MP Bill Siksay and seconded by Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis.”
The Council of Canadians has long supported the call for a Department of Peace. As noted on the solidarity page of our website, “The Canadian Department of Peace Initiative seeks to establish a Department and Minister of Peace in Canada to change the dynamic of debate and decision-making in Cabinet and Parliament towards a culture of peace and non-violence at home and abroad.” That’s at http://canadians.org/solidarity/peace.html. We are also noted in their list of supporters at http://www.departmentofpeace.ca/list-of-supporters/.
Bhaneja adds, “The Bill will get an opportunity for debate in the House of Commons if it is co-seconded by more MPs. We are asking the electorate across Canada to contact their Member of Parliament asking him/her to co-second this peacebuilidng Bill before October 18.”
“Tabling of this Act in the House is a once in a lifetime opportunity to champion a Department of Peace independent of political party platform constraints. We must ensure that we have done everything in our power to make use of this unique space our two MPs have created for a possible debate in the House on DoP.”
“Both Bill Siksay and Jim Karygiannis have told us that it is the call/email from local constituents that energizes Members to act.”
You can read more about the Department of Peace initiative at www.departmentofpeace.ca.
