There are nearly 3 million Canadians who live abroad, proudly representing Canada and its values. The Canadian Diaspora are informal ambassadors for our great country and are often called on both formally and informally to represent Canada within their communities. In recent years however, Canadians abroad have had our rights as Canadians eroded and more recently our right to vote taken away by the current government. In early 2014 the courts restored those rights on the basis that Section Three of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms assures that All Canadians, regardless of where they live, have the right to vote. This petition will be forwarded to the Prime Minister and Minister of Immigration and Citizenship once we have achieved 1,000 Signatures.

After a two-year investigation, on October 31, 2014, the Ontario Court of Justice found former Conservative MP for Peterborough, Dean Del Mastro, guilty of violating the Canada Elections Act in 2008. He overspent his election limit and then falsified documentation to cover up his fraud.[1] But it doesn’t end there. In order to pay his legal fees, the Peterborough Conservative riding association hosted a $600/plate event on May 2, 2013, which raised close to $40,000. The 53 donors who gave money then walked away with almost $24,000 in tax credits.[2,3] That’s right -- Canadians subsidized Del Mastro’s legal defense. And even though he has officially stepped down in disgrace as MP for Peterborough, he still stands to collect his full parliamentary pension benefits. Once again, propped up by taxpayer dollars.[4] Del Mastro walks away with a salary for life. The least the party can do is repay taxpayers for his legal defence. Time and again, this Conservative government has tried to convince Canadians that Del Mastro is just one bad apple with poor judgement. But the bad apple never falls far from the rotting tree. From the in-and-out electoral fraud scandal to the still-unanswered questions about "Pierre Poutine" and the robocall election fraud scandal, we've seen a pattern of shady behaviour from Conservative operatives. No Canadian wants their elected officials to abuse the system and use their hard-earned tax dollars for personal gain. We want accountability and transparency. Please sign this petition calling on John Walsh, the President of the Conservative Party of Canada, to commit to paying back the $24,000 in taxpayer money the Conservatives used to fundraise for Dean Del Mastro’s legal defence. [1] Dean Del Mastro found guilty in election spending case (CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dean-del-mastro-found-guilty-in-election-spending-case-1.2818920 [2] Dean Del Mastro legal fees subsidized by taxpayers (CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dean-del-mastro-legal-fees-subsidized-by-taxpayers-1.2835381 [3] Tax deductions for supporting Del Mastro’s legal defence (The Peterborough Examiner) http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2014/11/18/tax-deductions-for-supporting-mps-legal-defence [4] Do the crime, keep your pension. Sweet deal there, DDM (National Post) http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/11/07/matt-gurney-do-the-crime-keep-your-pension-sweet-deal-there-ddm/

Les conservateurs de Harper essaient de forcer leur loi électorale de 242 pages au Parlement en minimisant les débats et sans témoignage d’experts, malgré des failles majeures qui auraient des conséquences de longue haleine sur notre démocracie. [1] Ça se ramène à ceci : au lieu de donner aux gens qui enquêtent la fraude électorale les pouvoirs de contraindre au témoignange - la capacité clef dont Élection Canada a besoin pour mener le scandale d’appels automatisés - cette nouvelle loi électorale rendrait le vote plus difficile pour les jeunes, les gens des premières nations et les gens à faible revenu. [2] Incroyablement, la malnommée « Loi sur l’intégrité des élections » rendrait même illégale la promotion du vote par Élections Canada. [3] La loi contient de bonnes mesures pour pallier à des appels automatisés frauduleux. Pourtant, elle impose de nouvelles lois d’identification de l’électeur qui rendraient illégal le vote en utilisant une carte d’identification d’électeur ou en demandant à un autre électeur de répondre de leur identité. [4] Des rapports indépendants ont confirmé que la fraude par des électeurs individuels est si rare qu’elle n’arrive pratiquement jamais. Pourtant, 120 000 canadiens ont voté par serment durant la dernière élection, et ce changement affecterait surtout les jeunes électeurs, les électeurs des premières nations et les électeurs à faible revenu. [5] Nous avons vu de stratégies semblables utilisés par les républicains aux États-Unis afin de priver les électeurs de voter qui sont les moins susceptibles de voter pour eux. 37 états ont mis en place des lois d’identification d’électeurs qui briment principalement les pauvres, les gens de couleur, ainsi que les femmes. [6] Veuillez signer cette pétition urgente pour empêcher les tactiques de suppression d’électeurs « à l’américaine » de devenir la loi du pays, et demander à ce que nos défenseurs électoraux aient les pouvoirs de contraindre les agents politiques à témoigner. Plus de 45 000 gens ont déjà signé nos pétitions (anglais+français) et nous organisons bientôt une remise majeure à la réunion du comité. Si les signatures atteint 50 000 nous organiserons une remise encore plus créative ciblant Pierre Poilièvre, le ministre conservateur responsable de ce projet de loi. --- Sources --- Lien direct au Projet de loi : http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Mode=1&DocId=6404810&Language=F Intégrité, vous dites? http://www.lapresse.ca/le-droit/opinions/editoriaux/pierre-bergeron/201402/06/01-4736491-integrite-vous-dites.php [1]Refonte de la loi électorale: Du pire et du meilleur http://www.lactualite.com/actualites/politique/refonte-de-la-loi-electorale-du-pire-et-du-meilleur/ [2]Des pouvoirs réduits pour le DGE du Canada http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Politique/2014/02/04/004-gouvernement-harper-depot-projet-loi-reforme-electorale.shtml [3] Partialité électorale http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/399416/partialite-electorale [4] La réforme de la loi électorale inclut un registre des appels automatisés http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/politique-canadienne/201402/04/01-4735576-la-reforme-de-la-loi-electorale-inclut-un-registre-des-appels-automatises.php [5] Examen de la conformité: Rapport final et recommendations - Examen de la conformité aux procédures d’inscription et de vote le jour du scrutin http://www.elections.ca/res/cons/comp/crfr/pdf/crfr_f.pdf [6] (Disponible en anglais seulement) Voter IDs Are Not the Problem: A Survey of Three State, American University Center for Democracy and Election Management http://www.american.edu/spa/cdem/upload/csae080109.pdf

Police revealed today that they are now in possession of the missing video of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford apparently smoking crack cocaine, as well as photos of Mr Ford meeting with alleged drug dealers. Mr Ford has lied repeatedly to Torontonians about these incidents, over many months, claiming the video did not exist. His credibility is now shattered, he has betrayed the public trust, and he must now accept full responsibility for his actions. The only acceptable thing for Mr Ford to do is to immediately resign as Mayor of Toronto. Sources: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/10/31/rob_ford_crack_cocaine_scandal_police_photographed_mayor_in_multiple_meetings_with_alleged_drug_dealer.html http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/10/31/rob_ford_crack_cocaine_scandal_police_photographed_mayor_in_multiple_meetings_with_alleged_drug_dealer.html http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2013/10/31/fragile_toronto_city_hall_calm_in_jeopardy_with_release_of_document.html http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2013/10/31/mayor_rob_ford_has_nowhere_left_to_hide_editorial.html http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/doug-ford-denies-drug-dealing-rob-ford-says-crack-video-doesnt-exist/article12158667/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/26/rob-ford-crack-video_n_3340305.html

Canada's relationship with Brazil is in tatters after allegations that one of Canada's spy agencies, Communications Security Establishment Canada, spied on the Brazilian Mines and Energy Ministry.[1] The President of Brazil has demanded an explanation for the apparent industrial espionage. Our international standing has just taken another big hit that could threaten our trade relationships with one of the most important economies in the world. At the same time, the Harper Conservatives still can't account for $3.1 billion that was supposed to go to "anti-terror" initiatives. Last spring, Canada's Auditor General, Michael Ferguson, reported that the government can't explain what happened to a whopping $3.1 billion - and six months later we still have no idea where all of our public money went.[2] The solution seems simple - call on PM Harper to tell the Communications Security Establishment to stop spying on Brazil and start working to find the missing $3.1 billion. Sources: [1]Canada-Brazil spying allegations could be a "major setback" for business, professor says (Canadian Press) [2]Canada can't account $3.1 billion in anti-terror funding, AG finds (CBC) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-can-t-account-for-3-1b-in-anti-terror-funding-ag-finds-1.1303999

Online Continuing Education courses are better for the following reasons: - access is improved and more equitable for instructors and students from across the city - time, distance and cost of travel to in-person sites can be a major deterrent. This is especially true with the current high cost of gas. - access is made possible / more convenient for people with disabilities - attendance will be improved by elimination of problems travelling in inclement weather - potential participants (e.g., seniors, immunocompromised) will not be deterred by ongoing risks related to COVID-19 - the TDSB will save expenses associated with maintenance of existing buildings for in-person courses. Please help support online Continuing Education courses. Let's give Toronto residents the option of taking them. Supporters of online Continuing Education courses (Learn4Life) at the TDSB

I hate seeing people getting judge because they are homless and there nothing in our town to help them. I dont like seeing people sleeping outside in the cold. The students are so scared thinking they want to hurt them and steal there stuff. The police have other important jobs to be doing but they have to deal with the homeless people its so important to me because this is were i grew up and i love my home town. I want to make it safe and fun place to be like when i grew up u could leave your door open and not worry about people walking in. I want to help

Bill C-11 provides users more control over their personal data, provides more protection of user data from exploitation, and manipulation from organizations, and provides more accountability. In the 2016 US federal election, we saw the consequential and deleterious effects of Cambridge Analytica's targeted ad campaign to sway voters based on psychological profiles generated from millions of Facebook user data. We need to reign in social media's algorithms based on user data, which foment and spread misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories. In 2020 we have seen the harm it has caused in regards to COVID-19, the US federal election, and QAnon.

Money laundering and all other ways corrupt money is coming from certain known countries leaves a negative impact on our local businesses, affordability of life and real state conditions. For example, in Iran's case, the people that are bringing this mentioned corrupt money, generally have good relations with the corrupt and amoral Iranian government and terrorist militia (SEPAH PASDARAN). These people and their unprincipled actions influence the governing bodies and even terrorist activities. Our Canadian government needs to take corrective measures and effective action against his behavior. Check out this news article for more detail. https://globalnews.ca/news/7593255/ottawa-must-crack-down-on-toronto-underground-banks-community-leaders-say/

Right now in Canada, the ability to follow COVID-19 social distancing guidelines without serious negative impacts to one’s livelihood is a luxury that is unavailable to significant portions of the Canadian population. In particular, it is largely limited to those whose occupations and existing financial security enable them to work from home, and whose living arrangements do not put them at significant risk for virus transmission. Disproportionately, the Canadians who enjoy this fortuitous situation are the traditional beneficiaries of white privilege, who, not coincidentally, are those whose lived experiences bears the closest resemblance to that of Canada’s political elite. For instance, while restaurants are presently required by law to implement social distancing measures and hygiene protocols for the protection of their guests, they are not obligated to provide improved working conditions for their staff.[1] Meanwhile, the Canadians who have suffered the worst repercussions, both from COVID-19 itself and from the public health regulations instituted in response to the virus, are those who must choose between social distancing and having a source of income and/or live in crowded housing. Disproportionately, the people in these circumstances live in racialized communities in major urban centres. It should not surprise us that the privileged experience enjoyed by our public officials instills them with an intellectual laziness that prevents them from using scientific evidence about the social and environmental determinants of health as the basis for crafting their policies.[2] The government of the State of Vermont has implemented a set of policy measures that make adherence to social distancing guidelines feasible for all Vermont residents. Some of these measures include free pop-up testing sites in vulnerable communities, meal delivery, hazard pay, and state-supported housing for homeless Vermonters. Additionally, Vermont Governor Phil Scott has proposed the distribution of $1000 stipends to Vermonters required to self-isolate. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US government’s leading infectious diseases expert, has endorsed this approach as “a model for the country.”[3] This approach might serve as a template for Canada as well, and, if implemented in conjunction with a massive ramp-up of vaccination efforts, might be sufficient to crush the pandemic in Canada within a matter of a few months. Such an effort could be funded through a combination of voluntary donations from the Canadian public in general – as well as large tax hikes directed at Canada’s richest 10%, whose lifestyles and business activities exacerbate racism and economic inequality, and promote the spread of zoonotic pathogens to human populations. Finally, a massive overhaul is needed for Canada's COVID-19 vaccination plan, which has thus far been slow and disorderly. This is largely a result of how, between 2015 and 2019, the Trudeau Liberals have wasted the opportunity to improve Canada's vaccine manufacturing capabilities. This has forced us to rely on shipments from external manufacturers, and limited our ability to deliver vaccines to Canadians in a timely manner. This problem may be partly addressed by accelerating the process of approving all proven vaccine candidates. The standards and procedures on which Health Canada has historically relied for approval of vaccine candidates were designed during, and for, non-crisis circumstances, and are therefore unsuitable for situations in which rapid distribution of vaccines to the public is a priority. All experimental or bureaucratic irregularities not resulting in serious illness or fatality should therefore be considered acceptable for the purposes of determining approval of vaccine candidates for distribution to the Canadian population. In light of the federal government's recent decision to accept vaccine doses through the Covax program, Canada must become an active contributor to global vaccination efforts. Canada can make progress toward this goal through the restoration own vaccine production capacity to its former excellence, which was obliterated through the privatization of Connaught Labs by Prime Minister Mulroney’s Conservative government.[4] The restoration and expansion of manufacturing facilities for this purpose may be accelerated by instituting the Emergencies Act. Sources: [1] Source, https://theconversation.com/the-politics-of-covid-19-results-in-pandemic-winners-and-losers-150604 [2] Source, https://www.vox.com/2020/11/19/21541810/vermont-covid-19-coronavirus-social-distancing [3] Source, https://www.vox.com/2020/11/19/21541810/vermont-covid-19-coronavirus-social-distancing [4] Source, https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2020/03/11/the-public-lab-that-could-have-helped-fight-covid-19-pandemic.html?rf

growing inequality is destructive to the health and well-being of all

Many people including public health experts, healthcare workers on the front line, workers who have worked non-stop throughout this entire pandemic, labour organizations, and more have been calling on paid sick leave since the start of the pandemic (and before), but it is not yet widely spread that a bill was put forward to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in early December 2020 to legislate paid sick leave. This bill, Bill 239, was put forward by MPP Peggy Sattler, and went through a first reading on December 8, 2020. The bill needs attention to ensure Ontario mandates paid sick leave for all workers. We cannot miss this opportunity to ensure this passes. The bill has to go through more readings by other Ontario MPPs, committee members, and be discussed before being moved forward into legislation (or failing). The public can provide further input in this process, like how the bill should be altered in any way to make it more protective of any person in Ontario providing any sort of labour to an employer in Ontario, including undocumented and temporary workers. You can email or call your local MPP and provide them with any important changes they should discuss in the process, and urge them to ensure that paid sick leave is passed into legislation. Paid sick leave should be mandatory, and in 2018 Premier Doug Ford removed the few protections that existed. This moment is of course especially urgent given the ongoing and escalating COVID-19 situation as we go into the end of the year and a provincial "lockdown". Numerous outbreaks are taking place at workplaces such as warehouses, and many of them are not included in the lockdown. Many nurses, physicians, and other healthcare workers are continually exposed to COVID-19, and are working between hospitals and Long-Term Care homes, are under-staffed and over-worked, and need to be ensured that they will have paid sick leave for their own protection, patients' protection, their loved ones, and for everyone else. This also applies for people working in grocery stores, pharmacies, schools, and all other labour and services that have just been symbolically applauded but absolutely not sufficiently compensated or protected. These government failures are allowing for growing hazardous working environments, and the failure to reinstate mandatory sick days already negates the purpose of a coherent public health response. People need to be able to stay home for their health, the health of others, and should not have to choose between income and health. The Ontario Financial Accountability Officer also confirmed this month that the Ontario government has $12 billion in contingency funds for COVID-19 spending. Paid sick leave is completely feasible by large employers, and can be supported by the government for small businesses. Paid sick leave is one of many steps that are necessary to respond to this pandemic, alongside an eviction ban, emergency income support, hospital surge funding, expanded testing and vaccination capacity, and more. https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-239 https://www.peggysattler.ca/paidsickdays