Rights bill is a model
BEV SHIPLEY PRAISES WALPOLE INITIATIVE
THE DAILY NEWS, By BY BOB BOUGHNER, June 23, 2008 Chatham, ON
A children's bill of rights adopted last year by the Walpole Island First Nation should serve as a model for communities everywhere, says Bev Shipley.
The Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MP, speaking at Saturday's second annual Families First Fair, commended all those who had a role in its development and the chief and council for their wisdom in adopting it on behalf of the community.
"This bill of rights will serve the children of your community well now and long into the future,'' he said.
Shipley said National Aboriginal Solidarity Day is a day for all Canadians to celebrate the cultures and traditions of aboriginal people whether they are First Nation, Metis or Inuit.
"This year marks 400 years of common history between Aboriginal people and the first settlers,'' said the MP.
Shipley said significant progress and concrete results have been achieved on a range of Aboriginal issues, including land claims, education, housing, child and family services, safe drinking water, economic opportunity and the extension of human rights protection to First Nations' individuals on reserves.
He said Canada has also marked two important milestones in the resolution of the sad legacy of the Indian Residential Schools System.
"On June 1, the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission was launched and on June 11, Prime Minister Stephen Harper stood in the House of Commons and offered an historic formal apology to former students on behalf of the government of Canada and all Canadians,'' he said.
Shipley said there is much Read More .. be done and as National Aboriginal Solidarity Day is observed, the federal government reaffirms its commitment to continue working with Aboriginal leaders to improve the lives of Aboriginal people across the country.
Also taking part in the event was Walpole Island First Nation Chief Joe Gilbert and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Maria VanBommel.
"We must vigilantly stand on guard within our own borders for human rights and fundamental freedoms which are our proud heritage......we cannot take for granted the continuance and maintenance of those rights and freedoms."
John Diefenbaker
(1895-1979)
About The truth
"All truth passes through three stages. First it is ridiculed, Second it is violently opposed. Third it is accepted as self-evident."
Arthur
Schopenhauer
(1788-1860)
"In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect."
Bill Clinton
(William J. Clinton)
42nd President of The United States of America
Canada's
national "Child Day"
November 20th
Canada's "Child Day" is held on November 20th each year as designated by the Parliament of Canada in 1993.
It commemorates the United Nations adoption of two landmark documents concerned with the human rights of all children and youths. Read More ..
Canadian appointed U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights
Louise Arbour took up her duties on July 1, 2004 as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Her term in office ended in June 2008.
Mrs. Arbour was a member of the Supreme Court of Canada immediately preceding her appointment to the UN as Commissioner for Human Rights.
Louise Arbour: a colleague we have failed
Law Times, Canada
22 September 2008
This profession - and all of us in it - have failed to protect, honour, and defend one of our most accomplished and distinguished members. We have let Louise Arbour down by our silence when she needed and deserved voices of support.
On July 1, Arbour stepped down as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, an enormously prestigious and important international position.
The gratitude and praise which greeted her at the end of her term was shamefully muted. Arbour was a courageous champion of human rights, and a bold critic of the erosion of those basic tenets in our world.
She was never timid. She was never chained to a desk, was involved, hands on, outspoken, and challenging. She breathed life into the enormous portfolio that she was asked to take on.
INDEPTH: DAY CARE
Day Care in Canada
CBC Television News Online, February 9, 2005
It was first proposed in 1970 a program that would provide affordable day care across the country. It was promised when Brian Mulroney and the Conservatives swept to power in 1984. And again four years later.
By the time Jean Chretien's Liberals did some political sweeping of their own in 1993, promises of a national day-care strategy had fallen victim to the realities of a government wallowing in debt. With budgetary knives sharpened and drawn, day care would have to wait.
But the economic climate began to shift and in 1997, Quebec introduced its own day-care system, offering spaces at $5 a day. Demand quickly surpassed supply.
About The truth
"All truth passes through three stages. First it is ridiculed, Second it is violently opposed. Third it is accepted as self-evident."
Arthur
Schopenhauer
(1788-1860)