Wednesday, December 07, 2016
“People keep saying that this hate wave that’s moving across the west cannot hit Canada. And you are wrong. It is happening throughout the western democracies.”
In a recent keynote address, Van Jones urged Canadians to band together and “stand tall” against the rising tide of regressivity and divisiveness felt across the globe. The celebrated author, CNN commentator, and former advisor to President Obama was in Toronto to speak at the Broadbent Institute’s recent Progress Gala about lessons learned from the U.S. election campaign. AMAPCEO was a sponsor of the Gala and Jones’ address.
“This could get worse before it gets better,” he warned. “Every single part of civil society in Canada, United States and around the world needs to get very vocal right now, needs to stand up right now and say ‘hands off Muslim women who are just doing nothing but walking down the street, hands off the dreamers and other young immigrants who are not doing anything wrong but going to school and hoping to have a better life.’”
Jones also reflected on the labour movement’s history and responsibility of advancing social progress for all. Recalling his time spent on the picket lines with coal miners after their pensions were stolen by their employer, he called on the labour movement and other progressive movements to support one another in solidarity and fight for fairness.
AMAPCEO is proud to be a supporter of the Broadbent Institute, Canada’s leading progressive think tank and advocacy organization. A strong defender of public services, the Broadbent Institute’s recent work focuses on three interconnected issue areas: the green economy, income inequality, and democratic renewal.
Their groundbreaking report An Electoral System for All makes an evidence-based case for proportional representation to better serve and represent Canadians fairly and equally, all while better engaging them in the political process. AMAPCEO endorsed and made a one-time contribution to their campaign in support of electoral reform, recognizing it as one of the most pressing political issues facing the country.
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