SUPPORT A PROGRESSIVE COALITION GOVERNMENT IN OTTAWA NOW

Dear Friends of Democracy:

Stephen Harper is using the current economic crisis to try to create a one-party state.

Contrary to his promises to focus on the economy and cooperate with other parties in the House of Commons, Stephen Harper is once again playing Machiavelli by bundling a voter-pleasing package of cutbacks to MPs and civil servants salaries and benefits with the elimination of public subsidies to Canadian political parties, undercutting other parties ability to win votes in the next election. If passed, it would seriously weaken all opposition parties. It could decimate the Green Party, an important new player in our democratic system. The foundation of our democracy a healthy system of two or more parties is at stake.

Are these fiscal measures designed to address our shaky economic future? No. Most economists agree that the way to reduce the impact of the global economic crisis on Canada is to introduce an economic stimulus package a program of ambitious government spending. In todays Toronto Star, economist Robert Chernomas, from the University of Manitoba had this to say about the governments Economic and Fiscal Statement, which also includes a three-year suspension of civil servants right to strike and a ban on pay equity complaints to the Human Rights Commission. "This is class and gender warfare, he said. This is the type of economic policy agenda Sarah Palin would have delivered had she been elected president in the U.S." Chernomas is among 88 Canadian economists, sociologists and political scientists who appealed for a stimulus package for the failing economy in a letter last month to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The vote on these measures, which takes place on Monday, December 1, will be a vote of confidence. If all opposition parties vote against this measure, the government will fall. Lets work together for a progressive coalition government to take its place.

Take Action Now. Whatever party affiliation you may have, if you believe in democracy and want to see a progressive government in Ottawa, now is the time to sign this petition, circulate it to your friends and co-workers, phone your local Liberal, NDP, Bloc Quebecois Member of Parliament, contact your local Liberal, NDP, Bloc or Green party association and tell them:

I want to see cooperation among all the opposition parties in Ottawa. Please work with other parties to create a progressive coalition government now.

Because the crucial vote on these measures takes place on Monday, December 1, I will be sending the petition to the attention of all opposition party leaders on Sunday night. Please circulate widely.