Department of Peace

What can peace-minded Canadians do in the interim until progressive legislation is passed?

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Dateline: Monday, October 12, 2009

From: Eva Zaleski, Calgary

I support Linda McQuaig's convincing argument (Oct. 6) for a federal Department of Peace, as proposed in a private member's bill introduced in Parliament by NDP MP Bill Siksay and Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis. Hon. Bill Siksay has also previously tabled Bill C-390, An Act respecting conscientious objection to the use of taxes for military purposes.

Bill C-390 would allow Canadians to redirect the portion of their taxes that currently pays for military activities into a fund for peace initiatives. In 2008, an estimated 8.5% of the federal budget supported military activities in various forms.

What can peace-minded Canadians do in the interim until progressive legislation is passed?

Conscience Canada provides a mechanism for those who object to military taxation to file a 'Peace Tax Return', and to divert military taxes into a Peace Trust Fund. It is also possible to divert some symbolic amount, or to simply make a statement by completing the Peace Tax Return.

As Linda Mcquaig pointed out, making war obsolete is not a 'dewy-eyed notion'. It is practical and essential to our collective well being on our shared planet Earth.

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