• Indigenous Languages Need You in Ontario
    Indigenous languages are making a comeback but Canada still doesn’t have legal protections for Indigenous languages. Previous governments took very little action on Indigenous languages, but enough people join this campaign we can get legislation passed that is a true example of building a better relationship. The UNDRIP, TRC Calls to Action, and true reconciliation demands Canadians get active in defending Indigenous languages. Indigenous languages are making a comeback, but our rights are still being denied and just like Residential Schools, present-day schooling doesn’t protect Indigenous languages. ********************* TRC Calls to Actions: 14. We call upon the federal government to enact an Aboriginal Languages Act that incorporates the following principles: i. Aboriginal languages are a fundamental and valued element of Canadian culture and society, and there is an urgency to preserve them. ii. Aboriginal language rights are reinforced by the Treaties. iii. The federal government has a responsibility to provide sufficient funds for Aboriginal-language revitalization and preservation. iv. The preservation, revitalization, and strengthening of Aboriginal languages and cultures are best managed by Aboriginal people and communities. v. Funding for Aboriginal language initiatives must reflect the diversity of Aboriginal languages. 16. We call upon post-secondary institutions to create university and college degree and diploma programs in Aboriginal languages. ********************* UNDRIP: Article 13 1. Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literature, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places, and persons.
    202 of 300 Signatures
    Created by Indigenous Languages Speakers Alliance
  • Indigenous Languages Need You in Manitoba
    Indigenous languages are making a comeback but Canada still doesn’t have legal protections for Indigenous languages. Previous governments took very little action on Indigenous languages, but enough people join this campaign we can get legislation passed that is a true example of building a better relationship. The UNDRIP, TRC Calls to Action, and true reconciliation demands Canadians get active in defending Indigenous languages. Indigenous languages are making a comeback, but our rights are still being denied and just like Residential Schools, present-day schooling doesn’t protect Indigenous languages. ********************* TRC Calls to Actions: 14. We call upon the federal government to enact an Aboriginal Languages Act that incorporates the following principles: i. Aboriginal languages are a fundamental and valued element of Canadian culture and society, and there is an urgency to preserve them. ii. Aboriginal language rights are reinforced by the Treaties. iii. The federal government has a responsibility to provide sufficient funds for Aboriginal-language revitalization and preservation. iv. The preservation, revitalization, and strengthening of Aboriginal languages and cultures are best managed by Aboriginal people and communities. v. Funding for Aboriginal language initiatives must reflect the diversity of Aboriginal languages. 16. We call upon post-secondary institutions to create university and college degree and diploma programs in Aboriginal languages. ********************* UNDRIP: Article 13 1. Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literature, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places, and persons.
    24 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Indigenous Languages Speakers Alliance
  • Indigenous Languages Need You in Alberta
    Indigenous languages are making a comeback but Canada still doesn’t have legal protections for Indigenous languages. Previous governments took very little action on Indigenous languages, but enough people join this campaign we can get legislation passed that is a true example of building a better relationship. The UNDRIP, TRC Calls to Action, and true reconciliation demands Canadians get active in defending Indigenous languages. Indigenous languages are making a comeback, but our rights are still being denied and just like Residential Schools, present-day schooling doesn’t protect Indigenous languages. ********************* TRC Calls to Actions: 14. We call upon the federal government to enact an Aboriginal Languages Act that incorporates the following principles: i. Aboriginal languages are a fundamental and valued element of Canadian culture and society, and there is an urgency to preserve them. ii. Aboriginal language rights are reinforced by the Treaties. iii. The federal government has a responsibility to provide sufficient funds for Aboriginal-language revitalization and preservation. iv. The preservation, revitalization, and strengthening of Aboriginal languages and cultures are best managed by Aboriginal people and communities. v. Funding for Aboriginal language initiatives must reflect the diversity of Aboriginal languages. 16. We call upon post-secondary institutions to create university and college degree and diploma programs in Aboriginal languages. ********************* UNDRIP: Article 13 1. Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literature, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places, and persons.
    62 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Indigenous Languages Speakers Alliance
  • The BC Government must provide affordable long-distance transportation on the Highway of Tears
    Greyhound will be ending their bus service along the Highway of Tears on May 31st -- and the BC government have no plans to replace it. [1] [2] The Highway of Tears is known for the number of primarily indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or been murdered hitchhiking along the highway since the 70s. The end of the Greyhound service will put more people at risk, as hitchhiking may become their only option for long distance travel. We need the BC government to take action now to replace the Greyhound service, and keep communities who rely on the bus for long distance transportation safe. Sign the petition now, and demand that the BC government to provide safe and affordable long distance transportation along the Highway of Tears. [1]http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/greyound-decision-northern-bc-1.4545836 [2] http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/greyhound-leaves-worrying-gap-in-northern-bc-1.4606851
    8,643 of 9,000 Signatures
    Created by Joanna Larson
  • We want our buses back! Reverse the cuts between Union and Unionville
    Off-peak GO Transit buses on the Stouffville line were recently cut by Metrolinx as part of their regional express rail plan. Metrolinx promised that their new transit plan would “increase public transit to improve people's commute [as] part of [their] plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.” [1] This new plan completely disregards the needs of those who live in Markham, Stouffville - Lincolnville-Uxbridge and use the GO Transit service between Union and Unionville every single day. Living in Toronto is becoming as unaffordable as the likes of New York and London, and these transit cuts make it increasingly challenging for people who work in the city to sustainably live in more affordable nearby towns. I live in Markham, and my commute is around 50 minutes longer because I have to transfer and wait for the bus everytime I need to get home at non peak hours (which is often!). We need to let Metrolinx know that these changes to our transit system have direct impacts on people’s lives, and that transit “improvements” can’t come at the expense of people who rely on their services to get around. Sources: [1] https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2017/06/all-day-go-train-service-coming-to-stouffville-go-line.html
    152 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Nimish Hegde
  • Remove the Edward Cornwallis Statue
    Edward Cornwallis was a British military commander commonly known as the founder of the city of Halifax. In 1749 Cornwallis issued a bounty on the scalps of Mi'kmaq people, an action Mi'kmaq historian Daniel N. Paul has characterized as a policy of genocide. The Cornwallis statue is a painful reminder of Canada’s history of colonialism, violence and racism against Indigenous peoples. In the spirit of reconciliation and in the interests of moving towards a new nation-to-nation relationship, we are calling on Halifax Regional Council to remove the statue and take immediate steps to work with Indigenous communities to ensure that public spaces in HRM are respectful and inclusive of Indigenous histories and treaties. On July 15th a ceremony was held to cover the statue, but the cover was removed shortly afterwards. Now we are calling on the city to permanently remove the statue.
    1,368 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by Suzanne Patles
  • Save Fish Lake
    In a shocking move, on the eve of the transfer of power, while four of six Tsilhqot’in communities are evacuated due to raging wildfires, and while the communities have engaged in brave efforts to fight for their very survival, the Clark led British Columbian government has granted controversial drilling permits over the objections of the Tsilhqot’in. The Nation is outraged that the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines has issued permits to allow Taseko Mines Ltd. to conduct extensive pre-construction exploration for the New Prosperity mine proposal. This mine cannot be built. It was rejected twice by the Harper-era Federal Government in 2010 (Prosperity) and 2014 (New Prosperity) due to strong opposition by the Tsilhqot’in Nation and unacceptable environmental and cultural impacts. Chief Russell Myers Ross- “I am speechless at the timing of this insulting decision. It defies compassion that while our people are fighting for our homes and lives, BC issues permits that will destroy more of our land beyond repair. As a Nation, we have wasted enough time and energy in conflict. The project has been rejected twice federally. It is time to move on. As Tsilhqot'in, we are moving forward by establishing the Dasiqox Tribal Park based on our governance and values. The Provincial decision to permit further drilling is insulting. It demonstrates a serious attack on meaningful reconciliation. It is our responsibility to protect Nabas for our future generations.” Chief Joe Alphonse- "This is a typical move by the Liberal government. They are a dead political party trying to mount a dead horse and hoping to ride it to a come back." To learn more watch this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwjCeWF4rfM
    8,382 of 9,000 Signatures
    Created by Tsilhqot'in National Government
  • Give Refugees and Immigrants Funding for Justice
    We are extremely troubled by the recent news that new cases for immigrant and refugee legal aid are being suspended due to lack of funding [1]. Canadians made it clear in the last federal election that they welcome immigrants and refugees into our society. Indeed during the Syrian refugee crisis many Canadians opened their homes, and volunteered to help our new neighbours get settled and feel welcomed, and continue to work to do so. We therefore need to have the supports in place to make sure New Comers have the services they need to thrive, including legal representation. Many of the cases seen by Legal Services Society are immigrant and refugee women who can be trapped in abusive relationships due to immigration status. As Canada has committed to ending violence against women, not supporting these women is unacceptable. Being born in Canada does not give a person anymore right to safety than another human being, and this includes legal aid. For refugees, having legal counsel is critical, as they only have one chance to present their case [2]. Further, as climate change worsens social conditions and conflicts, and rising sea levels spur mass migration, Canada will only see more immigrants and asylum seekers [3]; therefore, we need more funding to help our fellow global citizens. 1]http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-legal-aid-suspends-immigration-and-refugee-services-due-to-lack-of-funding-1.4181352 2]http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/legal-aid-pressures-asylum-seekers-1.4009839 3]https://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/BC%20Office/2014/11/ccpa-bc_ClimateMigration_web.pdf
    30 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Amy Lubik
  • Grow Our Grassways
    This petition is designed to bring awareness to housing constraints within the Jane and Finch area, specifically The Grassways. We are not disputing the upsetting occurrences of relocation brought upon other communities who are facing - or have already been through - this experience; rather, we are trying to bring awareness to the situation on a micro level with hopes of later expanding into a larger platform. Most Ontarian's are aware of the rapid increase in the housing market however very little attention is brought to the areas that are being forced give up their homes to pave the way for new development. The new developments are problematic because they generally are very expensive and drive up the cost of living, making affordable housing accommodations inaccessible to residents. With this petition, we invite community members that are affected by the relocation to join our newly established "Grow Our Grassways" tenant board. Currently, there are no promises of return being established with residents of the Grassways because there is no development opportunity. However, we realize that once the units are emptied, that will change. Therefore, we demand that the City of Toronto and Toronto Community Housing consult our board and include us in consultations regarding the new development. We need to guarantee that the Grassways are memorialized by the city by honoring the long and rich history of the community. For example: the ‘Towards a Higher Journey Mural’ needs to be preserved, community arts (e.g. photograph series, youths arts and crafts, farewell BBQ) must be held to assist members in saying good-bye to their community, their family, and their friends. We have questions for the city that must be answered such as; what will happen to the recreational center and it’s after school programs? How will the new developments help the youth and families in the Jane and Finch area? Will we be displaced and disposed? A similar situation happened to the Regent Park community and we want to prevent it from happening to ours. Please sign our petition to help bring awareness to our crisis in order to prevent our families from losing their homes and hopefully to prevent other communities from being forced out of their neighborhoods as well. We want our government to live up to their promise of helping low-income families and neighborhoods. We want the government to keep their initial promise of reviving our neighborhood and not demolishing it. We need to GROW our Grassways not diminish it. Demands: -Establishment of a Grow Our Grassways tenant board to be consulted for the new development -Despite there being no current development opportunity, a Promise of Return must be established for current residents Community arts (ex. Photograph series, arts and crafts, farewell BBQ) must be held to give space for community members to say goodbye to their neighborhood, the Grassways -Towards A Higher Journey Mural (currently located on 7 Blue Grassway) must be preserved and have a space in any new development plan -The Grassways needs to be memorialized by the City, there is a long and rich history of community mobilization that must be archived and made accessible to the public
    140 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Shannon Holness
  • Justice For Josh: Action for Adults with Autism
    Many families are suffering in silence with their adult autistic children. The lack of immediate resources for autistic adults in crisis, or consistent triaged therapeutic/medical care with follow up creates an insurmountable stress on families and paints a bleak future for their children. Why funnel money into early intervention and then not offer the same level of care once these kids grow up and become adults? Doesn't make any sense. Statistically 1 in 68 children are born with autism and the incidence of autism has increased 100% over the past 10 years. Autism is the fastest growing neurological disorder and that is a fact. Everybody knows somebody who knows somebody with Autism and that means that autism affects us all. So I am begging you to get from under the bureaucracy of red tape and indecision and really do something about it. Start by providing adequate longterm care facilities with medical professionals, behavioural specialists and different levels of staff that can continue to optimize the adult autistic person's unique potential and make the future a brighter place for all of us. What is currently in place is not enough and obviously not working. Josh is a 19 year old boy with autism who has been in what can only be described ascycles of rage, including self-injurious and schizophrenic type behaviours. In this state he has no quality of life, nor does his family who spend many sleepless nights feeling helpless. His parents have been searching for appropriate resources and services for several years. They have spent many nights at emergency and gone to doctors only to be sent home with another referral that doesn't pan out, medication that renders him a zombie or even more agitated. More often than not they are simply told "that's autism" and left to go home and fend for themselves. His parents have had to resort to essentially dropping him off and leaving him in the hospital to force them to admit him so that he can get the care he deserves and bring attention to this dire situation. Imagine how desperate you must be to have to walk away from the child you love. They had no other options and they are not alone. There are many more people like Josh and they need your help now.
    285 of 300 Signatures
    Created by Jay Street
  • Cut the CRAP! Stop the Chinatown mass displacement plan! 刪除CRAP!停⽌令華埠 ⼤規模流離失所之意圖
    The Problem Vancouver is facing a housing affordability crisis. Yet Vancouver City Council is considering a new zoning plan for Chinatown (the Chinatown Economic Revitalization Action Plan update, or CRAP) that lets developers build expensive condos in Chinatown, but doesn’t add any social housing. More expensive condos will only make gentrification worse, while doing nothing to meet overwhelming need for permanently affordable, quality housing in Chinatown. In Chinatown today, there are two condos for every social housing unit. In 2016 alone, 398 new market-rate housing units opened up in Chinatown, but only 11 new units at welfare-pension rates were added. Meanwhile, Chinatown’s residents and businesses are facing rent increases, evictions, and displacement. Even City staff admit that the CRAP will do nothing to make housing more affordable in Chinatown. They claimed hearing during their public consultation that public benefits like social housing “aren’t worth it”, even though for years residents have said that new social housing is absolutely necessary for the continued survival of the Chinatown community. The Solution Instead, the Mayor and City Council should implement a zoning plan that keeps Chinatown affordable for the existing community and the generations to come. By pausing new market developments until social housing units match market-rate units, and requiring a 1:1 rate of development based on floor area thereafter, working-class residents will be shielded from a tidal wave of rent increases due to new development. But stopping gentrification isn’t enough. This is why Chinatown residents and organizations have created the People’s Vision for Chinatown to ensure that the neighbourhood remains permanently affordable and welcoming to seniors, workers, and low-income people of all backgrounds. The People’s Vision calls for truly affordable housing, culturally appropriate retail, accessible community spaces, democratic decision-making, neighbourhood safety, and better health and social services for seniors and low-income people. For more details, visit http://www.chinatownaction.org. Take Action For too long, Chinatown has been a place where people have experienced discrimination, displacement, neglect, and political exclusion. This must end today. Sign this petition, tell the City that it must put the urgent needs of people before corporate profit, and join us in support of the People’s Vision for Chinatown. 癥結所在 溫哥華正面臨房屋可負擔性危機。然而溫哥華市議會正考慮推行振興華埠經濟行動計劃,容讓發展商於華埠區內大肆發展私人房地產,而忽略公眾對可負擔房屋的需求。 高價的私人房地產只會令仕紳化的問題加劇,同時亦無法解決華埠社區正需要大量可負擔房屋的問題。今日的華埠,私人住宅和可負擔房屋的比例是二比一。單單在2016年,華埠增添了398個私人住宅單位,而新建的可負擔房屋的數量只有11間。同時,華埠社區的居民和商販正面臨租金上漲,逼遷和客源流失等問題。 市政府官員曾坦承振興華埠經濟行動計劃不會改善華埠社區的可負擔性。他們辯稱從公眾諮詢會中收集到的意見是可負擔房屋沒有價值。而事實上,區內居民多年來都強調可負擔房屋是華埠能否持續生存的重要關鍵。 解決方法 反之,市長及市議員應考慮以華埠房屋的持續可負擔性為前題而進行土地劃分。通過制衡私人住宅和可負擔房屋的發展數量,並按單位面積量度兩者的發展速度,才能有效地預防勞工階層面對由於地產發展導致租金急劇上漲的問題。 單單阻止社區仕紳化是不足夠的。所以華埠居民和組織推出了華埠人民願景,以確保華埠住宅的持續可負擔性,維護耆英、勞工階層和低收入人士的需要為前題。人民願景推崇絕對可負擔房屋、符合區內文化內涵的商店、便利的社區空間、民主的決策過程、社區安全和提供良好的保健和社會服務給耆英和低收入人士。查閱該願景的詳情可瀏覽網頁 www.chinatownaction.org 付諸行動 一直以來,華埠的居民經歷著各種歧視、逼遷、忽略和被剝奪政治權利。我們今天要結束這個局面。請您在請願書上簽名,告訴市政府他們必須重視人民的訴求多於商業利益。請支持我們的華埠人民願景。 This petition is co-created by Chinatown Action Group and Chinatown Concern Group. (Graphic image by Maria Wallstam)
    1,632 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by Chinatown Concern Group 唐人街關注組 Picture
  • Stop Woodfibre LNG
    Howe Sound is magical. Visitors and locals alike are drawn here by its wild natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and the vibrant communities we call home. However, Howe Sound is under threat from Woodfibre LNG, which proposes to construct and operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility on the previous Woodfibre Pulp and Paper Mill site located approximately 7 km west-southwest of Squamish. Why is Woodfibre LNG a problem? The project is owned by Sukanto Tanoto, an Indonesian billionaire that has been found guilty of tax evasion and human rights violations. LNG tanker traffic puts Howe Sound residents, Vancouver residents, and Victoria residents at risk, and the potential conflict between recreational sailors and LNG tankers has not been adequately addressed. Increased local air pollution will affect human health, particularly the elderly and kids with asthma. Underwater noise and light pollution will affect salmon migration routes, herring, and marine mammals. Locally, Woodfibre LNG will create nearly double the greenhouse gas emissions of all of Squamish. Woodfibre LNG's local and upstream greenhouse gas emissions are equivalent to adding 170,000 cars to the road. If Woodfibre LNG goes ahead, it will result in 24 new fracking wells per year in northeast B.C. My Sea to Sky is aiming to double the number of signatures we have on the Howe Sound Declaration by March 31st, so we can make Woodfibre LNG a provincial election issue. Please sign the Howe Sound Declaration now and ask your friends and family to sign too.
    11,117 of 15,000 Signatures
    Created by Tracey Saxby