At its recent biennial conference in Castlegar at the Mir Centre for Peace, the B.C. Southern Interior Peace Coalition reviewed a range of threats to the peace and security of our world. Delegates unanimously endorsed:
• Bill C-363 (for conscientious objectors, to redirect/re-divert that portion of their taxes going to the Department of National Defence to peaceful purposes)
• Bill C-373 (calling for the establishment of a federal Department of Peace), the Occupy Nelson Movement and the stand of university students in Quebec against proposed increases in their tuition.
• Bill C-363 and Bill C-373 are both Private Members Bills put forward by Alex Atamanenko, Member of Parliament for the Southern Interior, and have received first reading in the House of Commons.
The B.C. Coalition is an association of diverse member groups in the Boundary, Kootenay and Okanagan regions. Guiding principles are based in equality, non-violence, social and economic justice, protection of the environment, and respectful communication to achieve peaceful solutions rather than resorting to violence. It is an avenue for sharing experiences, learning from those experiences and supporting each other’s work for a world free of violence and lived honouring, valuing and supporting all humanity and Mother Earth. Member groups also belong to the Canadian Peace Alliance.
The B.C. Southern Interior Peace Coalition meets twice a year, usually in the spring and fall. For further information please contact coordinator Laura Savinkoff at 4peace@telus.net
-Sandra Hartline
For the B.C. Southern Interior Peace Coalition