I wrote to Garth today, the very active independent MP, about the whole “recognize Quebec as a nation thing”

Bonjour Garth,

I am a francophone that grew up in Shawville, Qc, a town of 1600, 85%-95% anglophone within the francophone province. I feel this gives me a particular perspective on Quebec / Canada issues. To give you an idea of the situation with examples of extremes, this town has had particular dealings with the Office de la langue française. The editor of the local newspaper has even compared the OFL to nazi. Stuck in the middle, I have sympathies with both the local town folks and the history of the Quebec people. Currently I live in Ottawa.

To me, the question that is being debated recently in the House is of no importance. Despite this, if I was in your position, I would vote yes. I would vote yes because I do feel les Québécois do form a nation as do many other provinces and local communities do: First Nation, Maritimes, etc.

The major flaw of the motion is that it is being framed within the limitations of nationalistic debate. I am proud of my francophone heritage. Globalization and diminishing diversity in ownership of media channels, ever increasing the presence of consumer culture, has made it necessary for us to find our roots. On the other hand, the same corporate globalization and pressing environmental and social justice has made it necessary to look beyond the concepts of nation-states and state citizenship. To understand that our actions here have impacts everywhere. Power structures must be, in the very long run, re-structured to re-distribute power to the local citizen, not the national citizen.

Between the days of June 4th to July 5th where 3 national days occur, there is only one flag I fly: The Earth Flag. I culturally identify with only two citizenships: those of Ottawa and the Earth. I acknowledge the services that Canada and its provinces have given me. But to move forward, this “Citizen of the Earth” concept, I believe, must enter in the minds of women and especially men.

I believe my position reflects those of the similar younger generation that are currently active in environmental and social justice issues. But I could be entirely wrong.

Merci for the work you are doing. Although it would have been really nice to have a green party MP in the house for once, I believe you are doing a better service by being accountable to citizens and not a party line.

Juan Mann in Seattle started a free hugs campaign. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4
http://www.freehugscampaign.org/

And from following the YouTube related links, it looks like his wish of this campaign being global has taken shape. People in Israel, Brazil, Mexico, Switzerland are all holding up the sign, often starting just with the camera person as company.

I know lots of activists who will criticize something like this as not challenging the structures of power. To a certain extent, I disagree. It certainly does not put a stick in the wheels of the machine, but it definitely puts a crack in the wall that the system of corporate media, advertising and competition builds everyday between humans and isolate us in the process. During that momentary hug, it perhaps even completely dissolves it for some. By destroying these shackles of isolation we increase access to our power within and the strength between us. Ok, ok, perhaps I’m getting carried away in Sick Puppies’s All The Same, the soundtrack for the video clip of Juan’s campaign. But there’s something telling in his success.

On the other hand, it could have the potential to destroy prejudice, if those carrying out these campaigns asked themselves, where and to whom are they mostly giving hugs to? Juan started out in a mall, a place where only the middle and affluent class go. Most people who will see this video are people who have enough money to access the Internet… and a computer powerful enough to play YouTube videos.

The power of this campaign perhaps relies in focusing on the humanness between us instead of the ugliness of the institutions that separate us. But to keep pushing the envelope, it must figure out a way to bring the hugs across class, if those other groups desire so. It may welcome it or not; after all, you don’t build a home for homeless people by giving hugs and then walk away, feeling good about yourself. Stick arround, and see if you can work in solidarity.

One day there will be hugs on Elm Street!

Enfin, un groupe de citoyens propose son propre plan pour le train léger.

http://friendsoftheotrain.blogspot.com/

Au début, j’étais confus pourquoi on enleverait les autobus du centre-ville. Cependant, la congestion dans le centre-ville est à un point tel que le groupe souligne qu’il est impossible d’y mettre un train en compétition avec les autobus. Au lieu, le groupe propose de libérer les 400 autobus/h qui passent à travers le centre-ville. Le 15 minutes qu’ils sauvent en arrêtant juste au périmètre du centre-ville leur permet de revenir plus rapidement aux régions et banlieux qu’ils désservent.

Quelques questions me viennent en tête cependant:

• À quelle distance se situerait chaque station? Est-ce que cette distance reflète les besoins d’une population veillissante en même temps que de garder l’efficacité du train?
• Qu’arrive-t’il, sous ce plan citoyen, de la voie pour cycliste sur le pont MacKenzie King et de l’intersection Waller/Albert
• Il est bizarre que c’est le train qui servira le centre-ville, alors qu’à Montréal et Toronto, le train dessert les banlieux. Cependant, je ne suis pas urbaniste. C’est un fait aussi que Montréal a son métro (tous les autobus mènent au métro) et Toronto ses trameways.
• À long terme, qu’en est-il de la communauté de Vanier, communauté qui a toujours été sous servie?

Tim Lane partage plusieurs autres avantages du Plan pratique des Amis de l’O-Train.