Once Again Harper Gives Canada a Black Eye

He did it again! Just when I didn't think Canada's international reputation could get any worse, it did. Harper voted against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Some of you may be saying, so? Is this a problem? And the answer is YES - absolutely it is a problem. Why? Because it marks the first time Canada has opposed a major human rights document at the UN.

September 13th will be remembered as the date that Canada lost credibility around the globe and is no longer respected for protecting human rights.

I wonder what's next.....

African Green Revolution Conference

I attended the second African Green Revolution Conference held in Oslo, Norway from August 30 to September 1st. It brought together leading experts on sustainable agricultural development, including government representatives from across Africa. Both optimism and urgency emerged from the conference.

The Oslo Conference has become the prime venue for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). If we recognize that small business is the backbone of the Canadian economy, then we can quickly see the need for the private sector to develop in African countries. It is urgent.
We must also recognize that agricultural subsidies in the developed world are "undermining the effort to strengthen African farming".

Canada has always been a leader in assisting developing countries, but with the current leadership in our country our influence and level of assistance is on a slippery downward slope. Millions of people on the continent of Africa are counting on us to work with them. Canada needs to step up to the plate today, not tomorrow.

Yours,