On January 28, Common Causes – an assembly of social movements dedicated to defending democracy, the environment, and human rights – was launched. This mobilization has continued in various communities, notably in Peterborough, Nanaimo and Saint John.
Peterborough, Ontario
On January 31, just days after the launch, about 75 people attended the first meeting of Common Causes Peterborough. The Peterborough Examiner reported, “Organizer Roy Brady said the group plans to meet monthly. It also plans to establish a website and organize letter-writing campaigns, rallies, ‘and put pressure on (Peterborough MP) Dean Del Mastro.'” Then on February 20, the newspaper reported, “Under the watchful eyes of mall security, about 30 members of local activist group Common Causes Peterborough staged a brief event in the food court of Lansdowne Place Wednesday to protest against the proposed Alberta-to Texas Keystone XL oil pipeline. …Brady said Common Causes, which launched locally at the end of January, is ‘looking for causes every month,’ and will likely do something to mark World Water Day March 22.”
Nanaimo, British Columbia
On February 11, activist Paul Manly reports that almost 1000 Common Causes leaflets – noting Harper’s omnibus bills and their relation to trade agreements – were handed out in partnership with Idle No More at the Departure Bay terminal, a traditional Snuneymuxw village site, in Nanaimo.
Saint John, New Brunswick
Tonight, Common Causes Saint John is holding a Town Hall meeting on their public water system, according to Leticia Adair. The Harper government has made it mandatory that municipalities consider a public-private partnership (P3) in order to receive federal funding. The CBC has reported, “The city will have to funnel any federal funding application through P3 Canada, a Crown corporation. That process could lead to a model where a private sector group designs, builds, finances, operates and maintains the city’s water treatment system.”
As noted on the Common Causes website, “We invite you to join our community of local, regional, and national movements and individuals to work together for the change we need.”
Links
Common Causes website, http://www.commoncauses.ca/
Common Causes Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/CommonCausesCausesCommunes?fref=ts
Common Causes Saint John Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/CommonCausesSaintJohn
Common Causes Peterborough Facebook group, http://www.facebook.com/CommonCausesCausesCommunes?fref=ts#!/groups/341608472619262/
Common Causes Saint John Town Hall Facebook event page, http://www.facebook.com/events/532696613441407/
Peterborough Examiner article on Common Causes Peterborough KXL protest, http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2013/02/20/activist-group-heads-to-mall-to-protest-oil-pipeline-plan#.USVafKZPxfM.email
Peterborough Examiner article on Common Causes Peterborough founding meeting, http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2013/01/31/inspired-by-idle-no-more-new-common-causes-peterborough-group-forms-to-oppose-harper-government-agenda#.UQpUTrY0D1U.email
